Consumer complaint received 2020-03-26
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: RAS LaVrar, LLC (FL)

To the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am reaching out to you regarding the law firm Ras Lavrar. This firm uses devious tactics to collect debt. In XXXX a judgement was entered against me when paper were served at the wrong address to the wrong person when they had my updated information. Not knowing that I was served I was not able to attend court and therefore I was not able to defend myself. They filed motions of writ of garnishment to both my employer and my bank. I woke up in XX/XX/XXXX with XXXX balance in my account. This is when I had my second lawyer work on dismissing the case and trying to settle the debt On XXXX XXXX I received an email from a lawyer that was representing me back in XXXX. He forwarded a letter, lucky for me, by which RAS LAVRAR had authorization to settle my debt for 25 % of the amount and that I had 14 days to respond. Letter was sent XX/XX/XXXX and required a response by XX/XX/XXXX. I received it XX/XX/XXXX, giving me 5 days to respond. All this during the COVID 19 crisis with the stay at home shelter, layoffs, uncertainty with the economy, financial distress, health concerns etc. 

The lawyer they send the letter to no longer represents me and they have that on file, as another lawyer was representing me in XXXX with whom they have been in communication with. As said, I tried to settle the debt back in XXXX of XXXX with my second lawyer and I received no response until this letter that was sent on XX/XX/XXXX. 

I tried to reach them on XX/XX/XXXX via the number listed on the letter, number rings as disconnected. You have to try several times to get through anyone. I sent an email to the managing partner XXXX  XXXX  on XX/XX/XXXX no response to date. I called again on XX/XX/XXXX. Call was recorded. I managed to get through an assistant who confirmed to me that now I need to have letters from both the attorneys confirming that they are no longer representing me, she then transferred me to a lawyer. My call of Thursday XX/XX/XXXX, was transferred to an XXXX XXXX and I am waiting for a return phone call. I also sent an email and waiting to get a response from them to resolve the debt. 

A few issues I would like to point out about the letter, nowhere does it say that if the lawyer is not longer on record that a letter from the lawyer must be sent to the firm. 
This tactic is for them to buy themselves time to XXXX over the client. They had another lawyer on file with whom I was trying to resolve the debt, they confirmed it on the phone yet they did not reach him. All this is in the midst of the COVID-19 Crisis and with a time sensitive deadline to respond by XX/XX/XXXX They did have my correct address on file and they did not bother sending me a copy so I would have the chance to properly respond and in a timely manner. 

They find ways to circumvent the client in order to cause judicial, financial and emotional hardship. They are really devious and this has to stop. 

Hope you van assist me with this as these companies are lethal! 

Thanking you in advance