Consumer complaint received 2023-07-31
Company: Law Offices of Hayt, Hayt & Landau, LLC
State: PA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Seized or attempted to seize your property

Complaint:
Several months ago Hyat Hyat and Landau Garnished my sole bank account, Mind you i live in Pennsylvania. Where I could not pay bills, buy groceries, or anything. Upon talking to the representative of Hyat Hyat and Landau, She " XXXX I believe '' stated that she could not release my bank account from XXXX  XXXX XXXX without payment. Even after asking her, if I can not make a payment due to my bank account being seized, How would it be feasible to even make a payment? This ended up in a circle of her and I making the same exact comments. Where I finally asked to speak with a supervisor. She then stated that a supervisor was not available. So, I asked her is the supervisor not available, or not on the site. She then stated that there is no supervisor on site. Instantly I asked during that call that, Is there no supervisor running the call center? She then stated no. Persisting to speak with a supervisor, She then attempted to use a fear tactic, stating that the only person who would be available to speak would be a Hyat, Hyat, and Landau Lawyer. After demanding to speak with said lawyer, I was promptly transferred to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. Explaining the situation that I had with the previous employee, He also stated that the accoutn could not be released until Hyat, Hyat, and Landau could verify funds in my bank account, where this could take up to several weeks. Mind you, I live from paycheck to paycheck. Being low on groceries, rent being due in a few weeks, as well as needing other necessities, this was unacceptable. To expidite the mater, asked XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, if I was to screen shot my bank account, If he would accept that as proof there is no additional funds or accounts. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX agreed where I emailed him said screen shots of my sole bank account with XXXX  XXXX XXXX. After verifying that there was only my recent payroll deposit of XXXX in my account. I asked XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX if Hyat, Hyat and Landau received all data and voice communications with said account. He stated no. At that time I advised XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, the last tiem I spoke with a XXXX  XXXX XXXX representative, I requested that the account to be held with XXXX  XXXX XXXX and not a third party debt collector. On a recorded line, the XXXX  XXXX XXXX representative, stated that would not be an issue. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX paused for a moment, stated that it could still take a few weeks for Hyat, Hyat, and Landau to notify XXXX  XXXX XXXX by mail to release my XXXX XXXX XXXX account. Obviously this not being a viable option, I contacted XXXX  XXXX XXXX, obtained a fax number from XXXX  XXXX, that way any current, or future representative of Hyat, Hyat and Landau can fax a release letter to XXXX  XXXX XXXX, to release individuals bank accounts in a timely manor, versus horse and buggy. After my account was released, I reluctantly set up a payment arrangement. As months went by, I would have to call to make a payment, as the Hyat, Hyat and Landau website would not accept or allow me to change my log in credentials. During another call with XXXX, Ever 3 words she would place me on hold, after the fourth time, I abruptly asked if she was too busy to handle my call. She stated that that time, that she was very busy, handling multiple accounts at once. Which led me to pondering, How accurate is the data being entered into the notes of the account when handling several phone calls at once, as she stated. Either way, with previous encounters and current, I was not feeling very confident in dealing with her, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, or Hyat, Hyat and Landau as a business entity. Where again there was correspondence between XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX and myself, where I advised him of this very issue. 

Flash forward some months ahead, XXXX XXXX  started to make themselves noticeable, where on payment calls with Hyat, Hyat, and Landau representatives, I stated that I was falling ill. Even made a point to ask if I was to pass from said XXXX, that the debt would not be passed onto my family. The representative stated that my family would not be effected from said debt. Due to my distrust in Hyat, Hyat and Landau. Thought it was best to vaguely advise XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX via email of health issues, Being sure to advise him that speaking XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX emailed reply wished for a speedy recovery and stated that if I needed to contact anyone I could call one of the Hyat, Hyat and Landau representatives. Odd, considering that I just stated in the very same email I was having issues pain and speaking. Some months after, I have another issues that have become not only extremely XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and work as needed. Namely speaking that my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  while walking. Where I have had no choice to get this checked out. Due to income constraints, could not move forward in proper recovery, where I have been forced to use unorthodox methods to keep XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. To no surprise, I didn't receive any email reply from XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. However, what I did receive was two letters in the mail, one of which being certified. From a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, stating that, Hyat and Hyat and Landau has issued a third set of court proceedings for the XXXX  XXXX XXXX debt. Where now a : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is requiring : 3 years of taxes, Pay stubs for the past 6 months, 6 months of banking statements, 1099s, All documents of income including self employment, 6 months worth of mutual and traded funds, Deeds, Apartment leases, Motor Vehicle Certificates of Title, Mortgages, Books of Accounts, Motor Vehicle Registration cards, Stock Certificates, Bonds, Securities, Promissory Notes, Contracts of Agreements, Documents Evidencing debts owed to you. 

Also find it concerning that Hyat, Hyat and Landau have leterage stating that they own a XXXX  XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX Debt. Yet, they're choosing to focus solely on the XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX for court proceedings. While ignoring the XXXX XXXX debt, which another debt collector is also attempting to collect on. Another concern, If debt collectors where not attempting to be deceptive : Why do they require individuals to answer their phones, where the caller ID displays : Spam Likely. Where in the event that one does answer the call, when asked who they are, it's always this is important business information pertaining to said individual. And if you follow that up with the question of, Who are you calling in behalf of, Hyat, Hyat, and Landau like any other debt collecting business, always rebuttals with something along the lines of important financial information. Requiring name, address, entire social security number before proceeding into a potential scam, or donation call. I mean what is so hard for Hyat, Hyat and Landau to list their business name on the caller ID, State who they are calling in behalf of, as well as the name of their company, and the employees name first, before proceeding. As this would invoke a trusted communication. Note Worthy, when Spam Likely calls are rejected, or not answered because at work. Why is it companies like Hyat Hyat and Landau never leave a message to call their business name and number. And if they where to call a family members home number, which they have, They will only stop calling that number after the name on their account states that the other number does not belong to you.

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