Consumer complaint received 2016-05-15
Company: ZENCO COLLECTION, LLC
State: TN
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action
Sub-issue: Threatened to sue on too old debt

Complaint:
This is a complaint filed for Zenco Collects in association with a complaint already filed for XXXX XXXX XXXX # XXXX on XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
On Thursday, XXXX XXXX, at XXXX XXXX, a message was left on my cell phone from a XXXX XXXX from the office of Zenco. She stated that she had an urgent legal message and had received paper work attached to my name, Social Security number and date of birth that require my immediate attention. That at this time a final decision is ready to be rendered on my paperwork. This was a time sensitive matter, failure to return the call will cause the paperwork to be processed. File # XXXX. When I got home from work I returned her call to find out what this was regarding. XXXX XXXX informed me that she was an arbitrator for XXXX XXXX, that a debt from XXXX had been thrown back into the debt pool and had been audited by XXXX XXXX who deemed the debt now collectible. XXXX XXXX was now prepared and ready to take me to court, garnish my wages, had filed a XXXX with the IRS and had a Court filing date of XXXX XXXX. She also shared how my XXXX was in danger and even my employment at XXXX I work at as XXXX was at risk. When I calmly tried to ask her a question she shut me down, implied I was not listening, was being rude and could wait until the end to ask any questions. She then proceeded to inform me as an arbitrator she was authorized to offer me two options to avoid legal action from XXXX XXXX. The first was to accept the generous offer to pay only {$7000.00} or the Second to take a " hardship '' payment plan of {$300.00}. per month for 6 months at which time the file would be re-evaluated again on the whole {$20000.00}. 
I explained that I have only returned to the United States last year after serving as a XXXX in XXXX XXXX for 8 years. I have only started a full time job as of XX/XX/XXXX and I only make XXXX. an hour, I am unmarried, I have no assets to speak of. I do n't even own a car. I would have to choose the '' hardship '' plan to stay out of court. She wanted to know if I knew what a counter offer was and that I should be at least willing to meet them halfway. I asked her if {$3500.00} was what she meant by meeting them halfway. She said she would do her best but that she thought they would not go lower than {$4000.00}. They accepted the {$4000.00} offer to be paid by my debit card next Friday XXXX XXXX, they emailed me a document, agreement of settlement to be e-signed, which I did and sent it back. 
After over an hour on the phone, and being rushed, I had time to catch my breath, calm my self and read the letter. The letter clearly states nothing about XXXX taking me to court. Zenco was hired by another collection agency in Texas called XXXX XXXX XXXX. Zenco had lied to me. Please see the attached e-letter where it clearly states, RE : XXXX XXXX XXXX, Original Creditor : XXXX. 
Zenco has misrepresented themselves and out and out lied, coerced, and manipulated the information to collect on an old debt that XXXX XXXX charged off in XXXX of XXXX. Additionally Zenco appears to be partnered with XXXX XXXX in some way to assist XXXX in a different way around trying to collect on the debt. I have already responded by disputing XXXX response as they did not act in accordance with their statement to cease collection and take no legal action. 
Additionally I have recently received my free Credit bureau reports and there is no information on them in regards to any outstanding debt to XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX XXXX mistakenly believes that at XXXX an hour, after living expenses for food shelter and gas is paid that based solely upon a good credit score that I have the ability to pay. If I do have a good credit score it only because I do not use said credit. The ability to pay has never been based solely on a good credit score.

Company public response: Company believes complaint represents an opportunity for improvement to better serve consumers
Company response to consumer: Closed