Consumer complaint received 2017-09-07
Company: Weinstein & Riley, P.S.
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official

Complaint:
I would like to speak to someone as soon as possible please about filing a complaint and getting a fraudulent " legal order '' lifted off my bank account. The current representative for the debt collector has in NO way communicated with me that there was a supposed issue. She stated that the supposed judgement was made against me in XXXX  2007 and that their office purchased my debt. When I asked for documentation of the original debt and who the original creditor was -- she was unable to give me that info because she said " it has passed theu lots of hands but our company is representing it now ''. The attorneys office seems to be unclear on what the actual " amount '' is that they want me to pay. They told the bank one amount, told me a different amount, and when I offered to pay in full the total balance nearly doubled to just over {$15000.00}. The representative says the original debt is believed to be a XXXX Credit Card balance that originated almost 15 years ago -- plus " applicable fees over the years ''. My 3 accounts at XXXX XXXX XXXX have been all wiped clean of any funds because of this issue -- my family checking, my minor sons checking, and a small savings account. When I called the debt collector office they are very unhelpful and wo n't give me much information. When I questioned the important details of who original creditor was and could they prove that I had any knowledge of the supposed debt -- the representative told me they " are n't obligated to communicate that to me ''.
Now the attorneys office is telling me that they will give me a % 20 discount off my balance if they keep all the $ the bank is holding plus I set up monthly payments with them and they want me to use my home - that is mortgaged through XXXX XXXX XXXX - as collateral. Obviously that is in their best interest. I have spoken to my XXXX XXXX representative and would appreciate any input I can receive from your office on this collectors suspicious and what I believe to be fraudulent actions. I have all my accounts being held at this time and am having house, auto, and insurance payments returned because of this.
I believe they have absolutely acted against the Texas Debt Collection Act by failing to identify who held the supposed original debt, failing to contact me in any manner regarding this issue, give varying amounts to myself and my banking establishment, and MOST importantly holding accounts in this manner for repayment of a Consumer debt. In Texas I believe debt collectors Can Not garnish wages for this purpose yet all 3 of my accounts ( totaling {$1200.00} ) are being held hostage currently. As well as I myself have my XXXX XXXX XXXX Paycheck being direct deposited tonight and my XXXX year old sons pay day is tomorrow.
Please advise at your earliest convenience about the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices -- which I believe definately covers what this collector is attempting to do. I most definately feel this is a violation of the Consumer Protection Act and would like to file a formal complaint.
This whole incident is all very suspicious. As a matter of fact when I input the supposed " attorneys '' office phone number into google it comes back as a known Scam # Speedy response and action is needed before XXXX XXXX is forced to actually release these funds to the criminals that are attempting this.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation