Consumer complaint received 2018-02-18
Product: Debt collection — Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Notification didn't disclose it was an attempt to collect a debt
Company: The Law Offices of Richard W. Krieg, LLC (NJ)

The very first contact Ive had with The Law Offices of Richard W. Krieg , LLC was when I received a complaint that was filed with the XXXX County Courthouse in XXXX, New Jersey. Prior to this complaint, this office has not tried to reach out to me to resolve my debt. However, right after they filed a suit, they began to call me, requesting payments in order to avoid court proceeding. Ive explained to them my position I am a single mom who can not afford much of anything and I do not own or have anything, however I agreed to settle the debt with a reasonable sum that I can afford. The amount that they have requested was {$3300.00} which is a lot more than what I make in two month. Ive offered many different ways to resolve this debt requested a less amount, asked for monthly payments to which they told me that they did not agree and that I needed to pay everything. 

Few days before the scheduled court date they continued to call me requesting a payment. Again, I tried to resolve the matter and they declined. I ended up adjourning court in search of an attorney that can help me as it was very clear by the way The Law Offices of Richard W. Krieg , LLC was treating me, I would need professional help. However, after numerous attempts of finding an attorney I wasnt able to afford one. Once more, I reached out to The Law Offices of Richard W. Krieg , LLC in hopes of resolution. They told me that the least they can settle the case for would be {$2600.00}, which is still a lot more than what I can actually afford. They refused to allow me to pay this sum in monthly installments, and only offered three month. Ive agreed because they pressured me threatening harsh court proceedings and that I would end up paying {$3300.00}, and that I should accept this amount and be grateful. 

The Settlement Agreement was supposed to be emailed to me to be signed in two days. I received an email the same day, however, the attached Settlement Agreement only contained the last page signature page. I sent an email back requesting the full Settlement Agreement, to which I received no response. Few days later I sent another email extending the same request. When I received the full Settlement Agreement, the page content didnt match to what was attached to me on the last page in the email. The last page of the Agreement that was sent to me showed Paragraph 5 and the Agreement they mailed to me display parts of Paragraph 5. This threw a huge red flag. 

Furthermore, after reviewing the Settlement Agreement Ive noticed even more red flags. There is a blank space between Paragraph 1 which discusses the amount to be paid and Paragraph 2. Also, theyve included Paragraph 7 implying that I dismiss with prejudice any claims against the Hospital for which I have the debt. This is completely illegal as I did not initiate the court proceeding therefore I am not the one that has any claims to dismiss. This is done in a very fraudulent and illegal way, because the medical care that I received during XXXX XXXX at this hospital was neglected by them which resulted in an XXXX XXXX-XXXX   therefore they are trying to cover themselves through this Settlement Agreement. 

Paragraph 8 of this Settlement agreements states that The Law Offices of Richard W. Krieg , LLC has the right to modify this agreement in writing with only their signature. Once again, huge red flag and completely illegal. 

After noticing all of these discrepancies, Ive contacted The Law Offices of Richard W. Krieg , LLC via email to adjust the agreement accordingly. Theyve declined to do so, just threated Court proceedings again. 

Please take a look at all of the attached paperwork. Furthermore, The Law Offices of Richard W. Krieg , LLC declined to provide me with the signed agreement for services when admitted to the hospital or any indication whether or not theyve purchased this debt. Their Settlement Agreement reflects that I should make all checks payable to the hospital ; however, theyve attached a letter thats requesting all checks to be made out to them.