Consumer complaint received 08-08-2016 about Debt collection (Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)) with Southwest Credit Systems, L.P. (VA).
Issue: Improper contact or sharing of info
Sub-issue: Talked to a third party about my debt

Complaint: During a review of the credit report provided by my credit card I noticed a collections company I was not familiar with, SW Credit Systems, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX. I phoned this company and was connected with a rather inept individual who only stated I owed a cable company {$610.00} from a debt dating to XXXX. I was unaware of this debt and stated as such and mentioned that, in the state of Virginia, it was a time barred debt. This individual, after repeated holds to " talk with his supervisor '' switched me to an answering machine rather that the aforementioned supervisor. I was called later that afternoon and the process continued eith another unnamed individual. The XXXX relevant facts from this conversation were that XXXX still owned the debt, SW Services had had the debt for one year, and -finally-if I paid {$300.00} during that call the debt would be satisfied. I then filed a complaint with the company and received a reply from XXXX XXXX, Executive Relations Manager. 

auto-dial, or text to discuss your reasons for contacting SWC True by providing this email, you are expressly giving SWC permission to contact you at this email to discuss your reasons for contacting SWC True Name of SWC agent ( if known ) XXXX XXXX for contacting SWC I noted a derogatory debt on my creditwise credit report with the name of your company. Having no knowledge of the debt I called and spoke with your clueless rep XXXX. I say clueless because he was unable to find my information and I had to be put on hold for him to " check with his supervisor '' I was eventually told that I owed a debt to XXXX, dated XXXX/XXXX/10, for the amount of {$610.00}. I have never been contacted about above said debt. XXXX also stated that you have had the debt for 4 to 5 days. This is an outright lie as I noted it on the above said credit report a month ago. I requested a letter of validation, yet never took my email address. I informed him that-in XXXX-this is a time barred debt. Time for a supervisor check ... tic ... tic..tic ... then I was transferred to a voice mail, without warning, saying that a credit manager would be contacting me. There can be little doubt why your company has the reputation it does when perusing reputable online sites. 

XXXX XXXX, Southwest Credit Systems, L.P. ( " SWC '' ) has received your complaint submitted through our website. I appreciate you offering us the opportunity to assist you with your issue. 
SWC apologizes for the bad experience you had when calling our office. SWC strives to assist every consumer in their initial contact. Unfortunately, it appears this did not happen in your case. Due to SWC 's heavily regulated industry, we are unable to provide specific account information through email. It is SWC 's wish to help you in whatever manner possible. 

Generally speaking, SWC can not provide legal advice. However, SWC does not believe it has any dealings with time-barred debt. SWC does not have any relationship with " creditwise '' and is unfamiliar with any reporting they provide. 

Having received your validation request, SWC will provide validation within the allotted time permitted by law. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide this via e-mail. 

Again, SWC apologizes for any confusion and appreciates you bringing this matter to our attention. SWC will use this experience as a way to better train its agents to assist consumers going forward. In the event you need further assistance, please contact our Executive Relations Manager at XXXX. 

Further research indicates that this company reported this debt on my XXXX credit report with no notification to me. 



Thank you, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation