Consumer complaint received 2021-03-25
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: LAW OFFICE OF JOHN E. LINDNER P.A. (MD)

I initially I had 3 charge-off accounts with XXXX XXXX All accounts were closed and charged off in XXXX. I never received any type of notification at that type to settle the debt or bring amounts current. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX consigned or transferred to the debt to an alleged collection agency '' XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Im assuming they did because I started to receive contact from this law office. I tried to contact the original creditor XXXX XXXX and the told me to contact the collection agency. So I ask the collection agency to provide proof of debt and which it was verified. I proceeded to make payments each month because they threatened to take me to court. I finally had the means to resolve my past poor financial decision making in XXXX. I settled and paid in full one of the accounts on XX/XX/XXXX for the amount of XXXX with the John E. Lindner collection agency. Please note the debt on my credit report still shows XXXX XXXX and not John E. Lindner. I requested a pay off notice from the collection agency on the telephone XX/XX/XXXX, by letter XX/XX/XXXX and no response. I checked my credit report and they continued to report derogatory remarks on this account even though it was paid in full. I then submitted a letter to John E. Lindner that I will not be making payments until I pay my IRS debt and I will call back once I am ready to proceed with making payments. I then called on John E. Lindner office on XX/XX/XXXX to begin making payments. At that time I ask to settle another one of the accounts. The balance was {$850.00}, we agreed to settle for {$400.00}. I sent a cashier 's check on XX/XX/XXXX to settle that debt. I again requested a pay off notice and never received one. They continued to report negative marks on my credit report and a balance of XXXX even though it was settled. I requested that they correct this and they told me they do not report to the credit bureaus. I called John E.Lindner on XX/XX/XXXX to settle the last and final debt. They initially agreed to {$3700.00}. I provided my backing information for payment. The representative took the wrong information down. I know this for a fact because I recorded the phone call. Due to not receiving another pay-off notice. I reported John E. Lindner to the Better Business Bureau. Once I noticed the settlement amount was not withdrawn from my account I proceeded to call the collection agency John E. Lindner again. They claim my check bounced if though I never sent a check for this last amount, this is what they told the XXXX On XX/XX/XXXX I requested to settle again. Then they changed to the final debt settlement amount to {$3100.00}. I paid the amount on XX/XX/XXXX and it cleared my bank on XX/XX/XXXX. On my latest credit report from all three bureaus it still shows a balance of XXXX. I continued my report with the XXXX  and the collection agency finally provided the notice stating all debts are paid. I then disputed accounts with the three credit bureaus. Unfortunately they claimed the debt was verified even though all debts were paid and settled. This is why I am asking for your help. No resolve at all and I am so tired of fighting even though based on the guidelines of the FCRA I am well within my rights to get this corrected.