Consumer complaint received 2016-09-19
Product: Debt collection — Credit card
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. (GA)

For case number XXXX, after receiving a letter from XXXX XXXX XXXX threatening to sue me over this debt, I called them and informed them that this debt had been paid in settlement to a prior collections agency in 2008 and that I was in the process of attempting to collect documents from my previous bank to show that this debt had been paid. I also requested that they mail me documents verifying the payment history on the debt. I was told that it was my job to prove that I Did n't owe the money, which I did not know at the time was invalid and in violation of the Fair Debt Collections act. I did not hear back from them again until I was served documents to appear at court. 

A default judgment was rendered for the plaintiff due to my presumed absence from the court. I was in fact in court on the scheduled date and time ; however, I am a single mother of an XXXX child with no family or community support. On the date in question, I was unable to arrange childcare during the proceedings and had to bring my son with me. We were present IN the court room during the initial minutes of the docket but were asked to wait outside because my son began having a tantrum. I took him outside to calm him down and on attempting to return one of the bailiffs instructed me to stay in the hallway because children were not allowed in the court room. The bailiff took my name and told me he would call me when it was time for my case. The lawyer for the plaintiff was in the courtroom when I was asked to leave and was therefore aware of my presence. Subsequently during the attorney left the court room ( presumably for a brief recess or bathroom break ). When I saw him exit, I stopped him and asked if my name had been called, referring to myself by name. I was told " No, the bailiff will come and get you. Be patient. '' The Attorney then returned to the court room. An hour or so later, after seeing people filing out of the courtroom I returned with my son to inquire if it was my turn yet only to be informed that the docket was closed, and that the Judge had left. I could not locate the bailiff that told me he would contact me and one of the court clerks informed me that XXXX XXXX XXXX received a default judgment. Outside I was consoled by some lawyers who urged me to write a letter to the court explaining what happened to get a new trial and ask for a reprieve. I did as instructed but never received a response back from the court. Possibly because I ended up homeless just a few months later. 


I feel the attorney withheld information about my presence solely to collect a default judgement from the courts because he knew that the debt was invalid based on my calls to the company requesting them to verify the validity of the debt after informing them It had been paid to a previous collection agency. XXXX XXXX XXXX knew the debt was invalid and that their actions were unenforceable and that I could at the time provide documentation verifying the debt had been paid, so I feel the actions of XXXX XXXX XXXX again were a result of intentional attempts to get a default judgement from the court by denying me my right to be present to defend myself.