Consumer complaint received 2024-12-09
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Credit International Corporation (WA)

I am seeking assistance regarding a dispute with a collection agency that has escalated significantly and is now threatening my financial stability. Below, Ive outlined the sequence of events : Initial Contact in XXXX : In the summer of XXXX, I was contacted by a collection agency seeking to garnish the wages of one of my part-time employees. I informed their representative that the employee worked limited hours and, due to the pandemic and decreased advertising revenue, all operations were on hold. I also conveyed that I hoped to resume normal operations by XX/XX/XXXX. She was employed through 1 part-time pay period. 

Closure of Business Operations : Unfortunately, we could not recover. All employees were let go, I relinquished my lease, and I moved to a residence in Orting, WA. I ensured that mail forwarding was active to capture any important correspondence. 

Correspondence in XXXX : In early XXXX, I received another call from the collection agency. I reiterated that I had relocated, my employees were no longer with the business, and the pandemic had left the company inoperable. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, I saw a certified letter from the collection agency in my USPS Informed Delivery email that arrives in my email in box. I did not know what the letter was for, however I looked up their contact information I saw on the envelope through the informed delivery screen, and emailed them, providing my new address for whatever correspondence they had for me, and requesting future correspondence be sent there. I have retained a copy of that email for reference. I did not receive any other correspondence. 

Judgment Filed in XX/XX/XXXX : Late XXXX XXXX in XXXX, I was informed that a judgment had been filed against my business for not responding to the wage garnishment notice. I explained that I never received this notice and was told it had been signed for at my previous address. I clarified that I had not lived at that address since XXXX of XXXX and provided a copy of my lease for the XXXX residence as evidence. Whoever signed for that letter at the XXXX address was not associated with me or my company. They were simply a new resident in that home. This is Improper Service- the agent knew I had moved. I also provided the agency with a copy of the email I sent in XX/XX/XXXX after seeing a letter arrive at the previous address through usps informed delivery, which included my updated address. 

Current Escalation in XXXX : After nearly three years of silence, the collection agency has resurfaced. They now claim they will seize funds from my checking accounts. Despite my extensive documentation, including emails and proof of relocation, they persist. I believe their actions are fraudulent. Improper service, they filed a default knowing I never received paperwork, I was unaware of the garnishment, and knowing I was not properly served. 

I am overwhelmed and unsure how to proceed. I have retained all relevant evidence, including email correspondence, lease agreements, and USPS Informed Delivery screenshots. Their continued harassment and attempts to collect from me without valid grounds are causing significant distress. 

I would greatly appreciate your guidance on how to address this matter and protect my assets. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.