Consumer complaint received 2018-05-26
Company: COMMUNITY CHOICE FINANCIAL, INC.
State: OH
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Payday loan debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened to arrest you or take you to jail if you do not pay

Complaint:
XX/XX/XXXX around XXXX - Received a phone call stating, My name is XXXX XXXX & am trying to reach <Automated Robotic Voice stated my name> on behalf of a debt we are trying to collect. If this matter is not resolved within a timely manner, my client will take legal action against you. Please return our call so that we may resolve this matter. 
XX/XX/XXXX XXXX - I was scared about being sued over a debt I was unaware I had, so I called them back & spoke to XXXX  XXXX . XXXX informed me that she could not divulge any sensitive information to me without first verifying my identity. In order for me to find out, she forced me to tell her my full name & SSN. I stupidly did so believing legal recourse was happening. She then explained I owed roughly {$900.00} to a payday lender from XXXX. After explaining I havent opened a payday loan for several years, that Ive never received any correspondence via U.S. Mail concerning this debt, nor is the debt listed on my credit report I was then told if I do not make a payment arrangement that day that their client will be forced to file a lawsuit/grievance against me. I have paid one scam debt collector before & wanted to look further into this. I told her I would call her back. 
XX/XX/XXXX around XXXX - I spoke with her & requested validation of the debt. I explained that if the debt was, in fact, legitimate that they need to send me the paperwork where I signed for the loan & that they are the collection agency in charge of the debt. Upon review of the validation, I would then set up a payment arrangement for the Friday in which I was to be paid on. I was told I would receive correspondence in the mail by XX/XX/XXXX or XX/XX/XXXX at the very latest. 
XX/XX/XXXX - I received a Credit Card Authorization and Settlement Release Form in the mail from a XXXX XXXX XXXX. The letter stated the file number, claimant, original account number, & current balance. It only states this document is to confirm that we have authorized and approved a payment plan option on the above referenced account. I had not given them permission to debit my checking account. Only until I receive the debt validation & call them to verify the debt IS mine were they to take a payment from me. 
XX/XX/XXXX - I have not received any validation of the debt or any copies of the paperwork for the original loan. 
XX/XX/XXXX - They tried to take a payment of roughly {$430.00} from my account. I contacted my institution & reported the card numbers as stolen. After they were unsuccessful at deducting a payment, harassing phone calls began. 
XX/XX/XXXX XXXX - I spoke to a manager at the claimants Headquarters about this debt collector. My personal information was taken & searched in their database. According to the claimant, I do not have an account in default/collections with them. Furthermore, she stated they do not hire third party debt collection agencies & that their collections are done with one contracted company. I was then told they are NOT affiliated with XXXX XXXX XXXX. The manager went on to mention they have received several complaints from customers about XXXX XXXX XXXX trying to threaten payments out of people. 
XX/XX/XXXX XXXX - I called XXXX XXXX XXXX & began to explain the conversation I had with the claimant. I was immediately cut off & placed on hold for a supervisor to yield the call instead. As I was explaining all that the claimant had said, I was being yelled at & talked over. She eventually refused to allow me to talk & then immediately hung up the phone. 
XX/XX/XXXX XXXX - I called XXXX XXXX XXXX Back after being hung up on. Upon answering, I asked to speak to a supervisor. After I was placed on hold, they hung up the phone & refused to take further phone calls from me. 

For the past several months, the threatening phone calls are starting again. They call everyday with a pre-recorded message about how if I do not settle this debt they will be forced to file civil lawsuits and/or grievances against me. Ive tried disputing this debt with the three credit bureaus, but cant seem to get anywhere.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation