Consumer complaint received 2022-04-19
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: LJ Ross Associates (MD)

I received a debt collection notice from L J Ross Associates , Inc. dated XX/XX/2022 at an address I did not provide to them nor to XXXX, the company they were attempting to collect an alleged debt in the amount of {$34.00} for. XXXX XXXX and XXXX ( XXXX ) is a utility company in Maryland. Once I received the notice from L J Ross, I contacted XXXX and paid off the balance on the account immediately. After contacting XXXX, I sent L J Ross a cease and desist notice dated XX/XX/2022 and pointed out multiple FDCPA violations they committed by sending me their collection notice accusing me of owing a debt. I also invoiced them {$4000.00} for the violations they committed. I offered to settle the offenses just between the two of us. When they responded to the cease and desist, they falsely identified XXXX as the original creditor. They did not mention anything about the settlement offer I made to them. Nor did they remit payment of my invoice. 

On XX/XX/2022 at XXXX in the afternoon, I called L J Ross to follow up with them regarding my invoice. After being transferred a couple times, I spoke to a man. He already had the account pulled up but told me unless I lift the cease and desist, he could not discuss the account with me. He asked could I lift it, I said, " sure ''. He also ask me to verify my identity by providing him with the last 4 digits of my social security number or my date of birth. I gave him my date of birth. I was shocked he had that information considering I did not give it to him nor did I authorize anyone else to give it to him or L J Ross. I asked him about the status of the payment of my invoice. He ask me, " did I want him to send me {$4000.00} for sending them a letter ''. I told him, " No. I want {$4000.00} for the federal laws you have violated by sending me a debt collection letter ''. He said he wasn't going to send the payment. I told him I would pursue legal action. He said that's fine. We ended the call at XXXX XXXX. L J Ross is now in default of my invoice. They had 30 days to dispute and they did not. 

Since L J Ross Associates , Inc. wasn't willing to settle the matter before, in additional to the 4 FDCPA violations I outlined to my cease and desist notice as well as in the invoice I sent them, I have more violations to add since they responded to my cease and desist notice. Four additional times they violated FDCPA 1692b ( 5 ) by including the company 's logo on the envelope and in the contents of the envelope. Two more times they violated FDCPA 15 USC 1692f ( 8 ) by including their company 's logo in the content of the envelope. Each one of these violation carries a fine of {$1000.00} each. 

L J Ross Associates , Inc. violated federal law 18 USC 1028 ( a ) ( 7 ) & ( b ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ( i ) ( ii ) by obtain my private information without lawful authority to defraud me by attempting to collect an alleged debt. This offense carries a criminal penalty of not more than 15 years of imprisonment if found guilty and a fine. L J Ross also violated 18 USC 1028A ( a ) ( 1 ) aggravated identity theft by obtaining my private information without lawful authority. This violation carries a penalty of 2 years of imprisonment if found guilty and the fine prescribed in 18USC 3571 ( a ) ( c ) ( 3 ) of {$500000.00}. XXXX XXXX and XXXX company ( XXXX  ) violated these same federal laws by transferring my private information to L J Ross Associates, Inc. without my prior consent.