Consumer complaint received 2016-11-23
Company: Continental Finance Company, LLC
State: MI
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action
Sub-issue: Seized/Attempted to seize property

Complaint:
On Friday, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I received a call from XXXX XXXX XXXX a representative from a collection agency named XXXX. XXXX XXXX advised me this was a debt collector and his intent was to collect a debt that had been sold several times from the originator " Continental Financial, Matrix Credit Card. '' He stated I owed upwards of {$700.00} and he planned to seek legal charges ultimately resulting in me paying close to {$3000.00} in legal and penalty fees if I did not pay the {$700.00}. In the beginning, I informed him the debt was paid for less than what was owed ; until I went home and checked my records and discovered that I received a letter from Continental Finance ( CFC ) stating I was due a refund or at least since my account was a " charge off '' left me to believe I was no longer responsible for the debt, because the letter from Continental Finance clearly states " Charged-off '' accounts are accounts CFC determined are not likely to be collected and are closed to future charges. Since then, this account has been removed from my credit report as I assumed this was finally settled. Initially, I was in contact with several representatives from CFC such as collection manager " XXXX '' XXXX XXXX ) and CFC representative XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ; FAX : XXXX ) advised him I was in possession of the letter from CFC dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX that originally explained the consent order and how the " Charged-off '' account worked as described in the letter from CFC and the Consent Order from CFPB. I made several attempts to contact CFC directly ; however, they informed me they sold the account and they no longer could comment on the case I would have to contact the collection agencies to obtain information. I again talked to XXXX XXXX who informed me I was to send him a fax stating I had paid the bill ; however, when I attempted to explain to him the mix-up, he refused to listen and stated he was going to order his staff to begin the legal process against me by checking assets, financial and employment reports ; in addition, not only would this lead to increased fees, but criminal charges may also apply as well. I took this as a threat, even in the initial telephone conversation I was not able to give a full explanation concerning this issue as XXXX XXXX insisted on interrupting me with threats to pursue legal actions. According to your Consent Order to Continental Finance in XXXX Order to Pay Redress, item # XXXX ( XXXX ), ( i, XXXX, XXXX ), it addresses the issues of " Charge-offs, '' if I am reading it correctly, this case should be closed and can not be enforced. I mentioned earlier that several other collection agencies have purchased this account ; however, I have heard from none of them until I reached out to them all on XXXX XXXX, XXXX based on information I received from CFC. Agencies such as XXXX ( XXXX ), they claimed I owed {$640.00} ; XXXX ( XXXX ) who claimed I owed {$660.00} on account number XXXX, and finally, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX, I spoke with XXXX who then transferred me to XXXX XXXX XXXX.

Company public response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation