Consumer complaint received 05/27/2016 about Debt collection (Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)) with LINEBARGER GOGGAN BLAIR & SAMPSON LLP (CO).
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info
Sub-issue: Talked to a third party about my debt

Complaint: On XXXX/XXXX/16 I spoke with this debt collector in regard to a debt they have in my name from XXXX XXXX. They gathered my phone number, address, name, and reference number at the beginning of the call. I spoke with them about my desire to dispute the debt and its validity at which time they advised that I mail them a letter in writing in regard to my desire to dispute my debt. I mailed the letter and a check for the original bill, before the addition of late fees ( {$18.00} ) that day. I heard nothing back from the debt collector and I mailed another letter asking what the status was of my account on XXXX/XXXX/16. On XXXX/XXXX/16 i received a letter in the mail from the original debtor, XXXX stating that since I had not paid the bill in question they would be assessing late fees to my account. I called XXXX and was told that they had no record of a payment for {$18.00} on my account. I was able to resolve the debt with XXXX and they advised that I request to have my check for {$18.00} returned to me. I called the debt collector and spoke with XXXX to ask that they return my check, at which point he claimed that the check was mailed to me on XXXX/XXXX/16. To date I have not received my check in the mail. I asked to speak with a supervisor at which point I was told that his supervisor was on another call. He stated that he looked into this issue further and found that the check was mailed to " the address they had on file '' which is an old address, hence why I did not receive my address in the mail. I told him that it was impossible for them to not have my current address as they ask for it at the beginning of each phone call, the letter I mailed had my address as the return address, and my checks have my address clearly printed on the top corner. He stated I should call my bank to have a stop payment placed on this check ( this would cost me an additional {$35.00} through my bank ). I am disappointed that this company was so lazy in their attempt to mail back my check. Instead of using the information I gave them multiple times to mail the check back to me they mailed it to a complete stranger who now has access to my banks account number, routing number, and a signed check. I am completely open to countless scenarios of fraud involving my personal finances due to the laziness of a debt collector. I do not have disposable income to throw around money to place stop payments on checks that were haphazardly handled by a law firm specializing in debt collection. This definitely qualifies as improper contact, as they mailed a complete stranger my personal check as well as mail from themselves, the debt collectors. They knew this was an incorrect/old address for me based on how many times they were given updated information. 

I am still in the process of confirming whether or not this check was illegally cashed.

Company public response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation