Consumer complaint received 2024-07-10
Product: Debt collection — Medical debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: Jon Barry and Associates, Inc. (GA)

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against Paragon Revenue Group which has violated multiple provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). Below, I detail the specific instances of misconduct that I have experienced : Unlawful Calls t [ Debt Collection Agency Name ] has repeatedly contacted me after a formal and verbal cease and desist was sent to core provider XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Ignoring Cease and Desist Requests : Despite sending a formal cease and desist letter earlier this year Paragon Revenue Group has continued to contact me. This blatant disregard for my written request is a clear violation of the FDCPA. 

Failure to Provide Proof of Debt : I have requested validation and verification of the debt in question multiple times, yet the XXXX has failed to provide any substantive proof. This lack of response contravenes my rights under the FDCPA to be fully informed about the debt they are attempting to collect. 

Hiding Caller Identification : Paragon Revenue Group has also engaged in deceptive practices by hiding their caller identification information during phone calls. This tactic prevents me from accurately documenting and reporting their unlawful behavior. 

I believe these actions constitute clear violations of the FDCPA, specifically under the following sections : Section 805 ( c ) : Requires debt collectors to cease communication upon receipt of a cease and desist letter.

Section 809 : Mandates that debt collectors provide validation and verification of the debt upon request. 
Section 806 ( 6 ) : Prohibits the use of false, deceptive, or misleading representations, including the use of false names or hiding the identity of the caller. 

UCC Article 9 ( Secured Transactions ) : It is likely Paragon failed to conduct due diligence in obtaining the ledger, the by they might not have a properly perfected interest in the debt, impacting their right to collect.

I respectfully request that your office investigate this matter and take appropriate action against Paragon Revenue Group for their violations of federal law. 

Section 809 ( a ) - Validation of Debts : Requirement to Provide Debt Validation : Under the FDCPA, debt collectors must provide written validation of the debt within five days of the initial communication. This includes the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed, and a statement that the debt will be assumed valid unless the consumer disputes it within 30 days. By not requesting a ledger from XXXX, Paragon failed to obtain and provide the necessary validation information. 

This Debt was disputed with XXXX on MULTIPLE occasions. 

Section 809 ( b ) - Disputed Debts : Requirement to Verify Disputed Debt : If a consumer disputes the debt in writing within the XXXX period, the debt collector must cease collection efforts until they obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment and mail it to the consumer. Without the ledger from XXXX, Paragon could not verify the debt, thereby violating this section if they continued collection efforts without providing verification. 

Information never received from XXXX that Paragon likely knew about Section 809 ( a ) : Made to XXXX on Multiple occasions Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall ... send the consumer a written notice containing... the amount of the debt ... the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed... 
Section 809 ( b ) : If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period ... that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt ... until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt ... and a copy of such verification... is mailed to the consumer... 

Paragon 's neglect in requesting a ledger means they did not verify the accuracy or legitimacy of the debt. This lack of verification resulted in : Additional Misinformation Violation of Legal obligations : Lack of Compliance : Ignoring the legal mandate to validate and verify debts means Paragon is not adhering to federal laws designed to protect consumers How this impacts all of Paragon 's business practices and all of XXXX XXXX customers Preventing Dispute Resolution : Without a ledger, consumers can not effectively dispute the debt or verify its accuracy, which is a fundamental right under the FDCPA. 

Erosion of Trust : Financial institutions and debt collectors are expected to act responsibly and transparently. Paragons failure to do so damages the trust consumers place in financial systems and institutions.