Consumer complaint received 2022-09-22
Company: AVANTE
State: TN
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
1. Last quarter XXXX or first quarter XXXX : Received in the mail " XXXX XXXX XXXX '' for healthcare expenses. This offer was unsolicited, and I never applied for any card. ( Of important note : my insurance through my employer, XXXX XXXX, is called " XXXX '', so I thought it must be related to them. I filed the card ( still affixed to the offer letter ) in my XXXX XXXX at home. ) I never activated, removed the card from the offer letter, or even touched the card from that point forward. I never received any statements or bills for this card. 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX : Received a letter in the mail from AvanteUSA, Ltd c/o XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. The letter stated : a ). I owe {$630.00} charged on my XXXX XXXX, b ). 30 days after receipt of the letter they would proceed with litigation unless a suitable arrangement is made to pay the monies, c ). my account may qualify for multiple programs to lower my monthly payments, d ). unless I notify their office within 30 days, they will assume the debt is valid. 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX : I tried contacting XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX on the offer letter to get more information. XXXX ( XXXX ) " XXXX '' said the card was issued by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and transferred me to " XXXX '' with same who said, " this is not our card ; we are a small credit union out of Texas. '' XXXX ( XXXX ) is automated, and I was unable to get into the system without a PIN associated with the card. Since I had not activated the card, I had no PIN. 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX : I composed a letter stating a. ) I disputed the validity of the debt or any portion thereof, b. ) I never removed the card affixed to the offer, activated the card, or used the card, XXXX ) I do not need this card because I already have a health savings account with debit card for this use. 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX : I contacted attorney XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) listed on the letter. He said a. ) the account was opened XX/XX/XXXX, b. ) there are 16 different purchases on the card totaling {$460.00}, c. ) he said to email him my letter that I had already composed, d. ) he would request more information from XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX : I emailed my letter to attorney XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) listed on the letter. 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX : I contacted all 3 nationwide credit reporting companies and placed a fraud alert and security freeze on my credit report. 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX : I sent a follow-up email to attorney XXXX XXXX XXXX asking him to confirm the receipt of my letter and inquiring if I needed to send him a certified hard copy of my letter. I stressed that learning the providers ' names, addresses, and date of service associated with the charges would establish my non-involvement with this matter. 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX @ XXXX : I received a response email from XXXX XXXX stating he received my emailed letter and did not need a hard copy mailed. He further stated that he requested the verification materials from the creditor ( XXXX XXXX ) and would provide me the documentation once received. 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX : I mailed a hard copy of my letter by certified mail to XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, New Hampshire XXXX ). 
XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX : I received a letter from XXXX XXXX stating that a. ) after thorough investigation, they " determined that the balance on the account is a result our annual fee an applicable late charges '', b. ) " they have credited all outstanding transactions and fees on the account, bringing the balance to XXXX  '', " they have permanently closed '' the account, and " Please disregard any previous letters you received ''. 
12. I think this is a scam perpetuated by XXXX XXXX because a. ) they sent me an unsolicited credit card, b. ) they created charges and fees on a card that was never activated or used, c. ) and they had XXXX XXXXl c/o AvanteUSA, XXXX send a very threatening letter to get me to send monthly payments through qualifying program ( s ). I am concerned that another individual might believe they owed these false charges. 
Thank you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation