Consumer complaint received 2015-08-30
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Right to dispute notice not received
Company: Trident Asset Management, L.L.C. (NJ)

In XXXX 2015, I received a credit alert from XXXX that an collection account had been added to my credit report. See the dramatic impact this had on my credit score, I immediate sought action to have this inaccurate information removed from my credit profile. I contact Trident Asset Management to find out why they were reporting an account that did not belong to me. I had never received a phone call or letter from this company. The representation said the only way she could locate my account would be by the account number provided on my credit report. I explained to her that I did not have a full account number and asked that if I was indeed in their system, they would be able to locate this information by my name. Search by my name and address and was unable to find an account. I requested that this information be immediately removed from my credit report since it was false and they were not able to validate an account. She asked that I call back with the account number. I filed a complaint with the XXXX explaining how Trident reported an account on my credit report in XXXX 2015 stating that the account was opened in XXXX 2015 and that I was never contacted by this company in writing or by phone. I was never given the opportunity to validate the debt before it was reported to the credit reporting agencies. The dispute was not resolved until XXXX. The result of the dispute per XXXX XXXX, was that the debt belonged to me. I contacted Trident and asked for that they provide prove of the debt which was from XXXX by sending me the bill. I also asked why I was never contacted prior to reporting the debt and I was given no response. I asked that they show proof that contact was made and that they sent me a letter prior to reporting the debt to the credit agencies given me the right to dispute and I was told that I had to send that request in writing. I asked that they at least give me the dates in which contact was made per their system and they would not do so. In XXXX, I finally received the first ever notice of debt which was on provided as of a result of my request. I 've disputed the accuracy of the account XXXX on my credit report and they validated it as accurate each time. I questioned Trident 's collections practices most recently on a call made XXXX XXXX, 2015. I spoke with a Rep named XXXX. She asked for my account number. I told her I did not have it. She asked for my SS #, I explained that I would not provide this information. I explained that my first and last name should be enough to locate my account in their system. She said we do not perform searches by name and I asked her to try. This was the first time they were able to locate this account. She did not explain that this was an attempt to collect a debt. We went on with my frustration that they reported this account without properly notifying me. I again asked for the same records - call attempts and/or first contact made and a copy of the first collection letter. No response. The rep proceeded to tell me that it was her birthday and she would not do this with me on her birthday. She explained that the inbound department was responsible for sending letters. I asked why she could not see this information in her system. She said rudely that I would need to speak with her Manager that would be in within XXXX minutes. She transferred me to XXXX XXXX and I left a message with my call back information. She returned my call but it was missed so she called my mother. I do not know how she obtained contact information for my mother and furthermore she was not authorized to do so. I returned XXXX XXXX called and left a message expressing my now increasing frustration that my original requests have not been fulfilled and now contact is being made to a family member. She returned my call, would not provide the info, & hung up on me.