Consumer complaint received 2016-04-14
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info — Talked to a third party about my debt
Company: Cooling & Winter LLC (GA)

My husband and I were faced with financial hardships in XXXX where we were unable to pay among other debt several debts that were referred to XXXX. In XXXX, a family member loaned us some money to try to settle our credit card debts. Some were successfully settled, however, the accounts referred to XXXX. were actively pursued by their debt collectors. When we submitted letters to dispute the debt, we never received any written information, acknowledgment or response. They intimidated us to pay the debt even when we had nothing left except money for food. On some accounts they brought lawsuits, which they knew we could not afford to hire an attorney, nor pay in full. We filed timely answers and also disputed the debts, however, on all occasions the court sided with XXXX. On numerous occasions we tried to communicate with them, and learned that in the process XXXX were not dealing fairly. Through stress, duress and coercion so that we were not dragged back to court due to no income, no gas money, and also times when we were told by XXXX that the account was settled and court was not necessary to attend because XXXX was going to vacate judgment. And we were afraid that we may be garnished with NOTHING TO PAY OUR BILLS! After that incident and XXXX 's repeated threats we agreed to pay {$5.00} to {$45.00} on various accounts. While paying these amounts either by automatic deduction or submitting a payment by check we ran into conflicts between one debt collector and another. My husband was unemployed from XXXX. We tried very hard to make the payments and continued to do so. He got a job and was employed from XXXX. He is still unemployed [ unemployment was only for 3 months ], and all we have is our social security to live on which does not meet our basic necessities. Our main issue to file this complaint now is that we received a letter from a firm named Cooling and Winter XX/XX/XXXX. They claim to collect a debt for XXXX that was " transferred to them by the referenced creditor for servicing going forward ''. OUR COMPLAINT IS : BY WHAT AUTHORITY DOES COOLING AND WINTER HAVE OF OUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE FROM XXXX THAT THIS DEBT WAS TRANSFERRED NOR ASSIGNED TO COOLING AND WINTER. Also the balance claimed we owed on their letter is erroneous. In addition, the address on the letterhead for Cooling and Winters shows the telephone number being the same as XXXX and the address that was used for XXXX and Associates XXXX and Cooling and Winters is XXXX on the same road in XXXX XXXX XXXX. Although there was a return address in XXXX for Cooling & Winter LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX. According to these actions, XXXX and their associates and representatives continue to use deceptive practices in collecting a debt. We will not send payment until we get an all clear from the CFPB on this investigation. Furthermore, on another XXXX account, Cooling and Winter, with no authority given by us, have deducted a payment from our checking account. XXXX CONTINUE TO PREY UPON US THROUGH OTHER DEBT COLLECTORS IN ORDER TO COLLECT MONIES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE LEGALLY DUE TO THEM. Please help us!