Consumer complaint received 2023-08-10 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: SG and Associates
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
Hello, I received a notification at approximately XXXX. from my XXXX credit monitoring service today that a new collection account had been reported to my consumer report from STAFFORD GROUP AND ASSOCIATES. I have no idea who this alleged creditor is, nor have I ever done any business or signed any contract with this alleged creditor. I have never received any notice in the mail nor any communication at all from this alleged creditor before it was reported to my consumer report. I dispute the validity of this account. 

I called this alleged creditor to get more information regarding this alleged debt and was met with hostility and animosity. I spoke with XXXX XXXX, I expressed to XXXX that I didnt have any recollection of this alleged account with STAFFORD GROUP AND ASSOCIATES nor did I have any idea of any of the other information he spoke of where this alleged debt originated. XXXX didnt have any of my contact information only my name and birthdate, so I knew this couldnt have been any lawful or a legal account of mine. I told XXXX that I would like to dispute the validity of this account because it is not mine and I have no idea where it came from, or what it was about. XXXX continued to try to coerce me into taking responsibility for this alleged debt. I assured XXXX this account wasnt mine and to notate the account for dispute and closure being I have no idea who this alleged creditor is, I never gave consent for STAFFORD GROUP AND ASSOCIATES to house, store, nor share my personal/private information. I expressed to XXXX I didnt understand why something I never received any notice or communication about prior to it being reported to my consumer report was being reported to my consumer report, which is a major violation of my consumer rights per FDCPA. XXXX hung up on me after he said I asked the same question 10 times what didnt I understand. 

I proceeded to call right back only get another STAFFORD GROUP AND ASSOCIATES representative XXXX that was just as rude and obnoxious. I politely began to tell her the situation that this alleged debt had just appeared on my consumer report without any notice or prior communication, I have no clue what it is and would like to formally dispute the validity verbally over the phone with her since XXXX had hung up without seemingly completing the task to dispute. XXXX began to get frustrated once I started to demand that this alleged account be notated that I the alleged consumer disputes this account. XXXX told me there was no way that I could verbally dispute the claim and there was nothing she could do even if I didnt know what it was about. She then says she sees why XXXX XXXX up on me I couldnt believe what I was hearing! My rights have been and are being totally violated by this company who I have no clue who or what they are. I proceeded to inform XXXX that my rights were being presently being violated and I would be filing complaints and protesting this alleged account. XXXX said go ahead who are you going to complain too again I was shocked and appalled that this company is arrogant enough to think they are above the laws of this great country and the rules and regulations set forth by the FDCPA and FCRA. 

I do not authorize or consent for STAFFORD GROUP AND ASSOCIATES to have any of my personal information. This account has caused great irreparable harm to my consumer report and my life by reporting false unverified derogatory information without proper validation. I demand this information be immediately removed from my consumer report and my private/personal data be removed from STAFFORD GROUP AND ASSOCIATES database and system.

STAFFORD GROUP AND ASSOCIATES this company is breaking the law and they are violating my consumer rights. 

Thank you, XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation