Consumer complaint received 2024-03-13
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC (WA)

I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding unlawful debt collection practices related to my delinquent account from a XXXX XXXX XXXX, which has significantly impacted me and my family. 

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation, I will outline the events in a chronological timeline : XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX : My account was sent to Trans World Systems, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  company, with an original balance of {$6000.00} according to XXXX XXXX However, upon contacting Trans World Systems, I was informed that the original collection balance was {$2800.00}, indicating a significant discrepancy. Note : I did not receive notice of this debt until XXXX through a treasury offset notification. 

2. Reporting to Credit Reporting Agencies ( CRA 's ) : Despite the debt being assigned to Trans World Systems, it has never appeared on any of my credit reports from XXXX to the present date by neither XXXX or XXXX, under both my previous legal name, XXXX  ( legal name change in XXXX ), and my current legal name, XXXX. My legal name change, address, and phone number changes have always been updated in XXXX and VA XXXX as I receive monthly XXXX pay from the VA, and have since XXXX received Education and medical benefits. 

XXXX. Treasury Offset : Last year, in XXXX, I received notice from the IRS regarding a treasury offset, resulting in the garnishment of my tax return of {$1300.00}, which was directed to Trans World Systems to service the account. This year, XXXX, I was notified of another offset amounting to {$2600.00}. The first offset was transacted after the expiration of the XXXX of 10 years to collect this debt. ( Trans World Systems received the account XX/XX/XXXX - XXXX XXXX XXXX  received XX/XX/XXXX ) breach by 1 month and some days XXXX. Current Balance and Accrual of Interest : According to Trans World Systems, my current balance is {$8400.00} before the XXXX offset is applied due to the debt accruing 24.49 % interest, fines, and penalties. This significant increase in the balance further exacerbates the financial burden imposed on me. Moreso, if proper reporting to the CRAs had been effective, I could have addressed this debt long ago. 

5. Statute of Limitations : The original debt collection was initiated in XXXX, and according to national debt collection laws, the statute of limitations on collecting and reporting this debt is 10 years. However, this timeline was breached before the first treasury offset payment was received and applied to my account at Trans World Systems. 

XXXX. Name Change and Updated Information : In XXXX, I legally changed my name to XXXX and updated all relevant information across VA and XXXX systems using the Court Documents provided for the name change. All correspondence, medical treatments, education benefits, ID card, and XXXX pay since then have been accurately reflected under my current legal name and current address and phone number. Immediately after being granted my legal name change, I merged my credit files to ensure I didn't miss anything. To this date, nothing has ever been reported to my XXXX 

7. Since my discharge from the XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX I have printed my credit reports every year. I have received XXXX XXXXXXXX pay each month, I have received Education Benefits and pay, I have obtained a XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, and recently went through a DOD background check and received a security clearance ; None of those activities resulted in any identification of this debt. This type of debt is required to be satisfied before funding a XXXX XXXX  or receiving a security clearance. And, if it had been properly reported I would have been subject to wage and benefit garnishment through the duration of the debts balance increase due to fees, penalties, and interest. 

It is evident that there are significant discrepancies between XXXX and Trans World Systems ' recognition of the debt amount, as well as a lack of reporting to credit reporting agencies, which has hindered my ability to address the debt appropriately. Furthermore, the breach of the statute of limitations and the absence of this debt on any of my credit reports raise serious concerns about the legality and validity of the collection efforts, or the debt itself. 

I believe that XXXX & Trans World System 's actions constitute violations of state and federal consumer protection laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) and state regulations governing debt collection practices. Their disregard for the statute of limitations and failure to adhere to basic standards of transparency and fairness have caused undue stress and hardship. 

I am aware of legal precedents such as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, XXXX XXXX Trans World Systems, and XXXX XXXX XXXX, which highlight improper reporting and collection practices by XXXX and its debt collection agency Trans World Systems. These cases underscore the importance of upholding consumer rights and ensuring fair and transparent debt collection practices. This debt has effectively remained hidden and almost quadruped in size because of inappropriate reporting and collection practices. 

In light of the aforementioned factors, I am requesting that this debt be discharged, as I believe I am entitled to relief given the circumstances involved. I urge the CFPB to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and take appropriate action to address the violations of consumer rights and ensure accountability. 

Before taking any further action, I am seeking the advice of your office and would appreciate any efforts in helping me resolve this issue. I will be filing this same complaint with the following agencies ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, and with XXXX and Trans World Systems Directly ; Unless the advice from your office suggests that I shouldn't submit additional complaints.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that the CFPB will take swift and decisive action to rectify this situation and protect the rights of consumers, particularly veterans and military personnel.