Consumer complaint received 2024-02-21 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Payday loan debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official
Company: Nickel City Group LLC
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I am writing to file a formal complaint against Nickel City Group LLC regarding their unethical debt collection practices. My experience with this company has been nothing short of appalling, and I believe they should be banned from collecting debts due to their egregious conduct. 
In XXXX, Nickel City Group LLC contacted me regarding a debt. I made an initial payment of {$310.00} and I subsequently fell behind on the settlement payments. When I attempted to reach out to them to discuss a new settlement arrangement after missing a payment, I was met with extreme rudeness and disrespect. Their representatives went so far as to mock my inability to pay my debts, displaying a complete lack of professionalism and empathy. 
Furthermore, I was informed that Nickel City Group LLC imposes exorbitant fees of $ XXXX {$50.00} for credit card payments following a missed payment. When I requested documentation supporting these fees, they were unable to provide any, raising serious concerns about the transparency and legitimacy of their practices. Additionally, despite my request for validation of the debt, they failed to provide any documentation confirming the validity of the debt in question. I have not received via mail a debt validation letter and when I asked " XXXX '' to email it to me, he was unable to. I wish I could provide a case or account number but they refuse to give me that information. 
One of their representatives, going by the name " XXXX, '' used a spoofed phone number - ( XXXX ) XXXX - that actually belongs to a legitimate company called XXXX XXXX XXXX. This deceptive tactic not only violates ethical standards but also undermines the trust and integrity of the debt collection process. Moreover, they have been known to impersonate a summoner named XXXX XXXX, threatening legal action and serving summonses. The phone number provided by " XXXX XXXX '' to avoid a summons, ( XXXX ) XXXX, was operational until XX/XX/19, and I have attached a log of a recent call on XX/XX/XXXX as evidence. After initially filing a complaint, I discovered that the number associated with their communication was disconnected, likely in an attempt to obfuscate their true identity and evade accountability. 
Furthermore, Nickel City Group LLC consistently failed to disclose their company name in any communication, instead opting to use generic labels such as " XXXX XXXX  '' which only served to mislead and confuse consumers. I have another open collection with XXXX XXXX XXXX and it was only through the Merchant name on my credit card statement that I was able to ascertain their true identity as Nickel City Group LLC. If NCG LLC is not the debt collection agency, why does the Merchant name say otherwise with a phone number included belonging to them? 
Even after explicitly instructing them to cease all attempts to collect payment, Nickel City Group LLC brazenly attempted to draft {$360.00} from my credit card the following day without authorization. This unscrupulous behavior is not only unethical but also illegal, and it underscores the urgent need for regulatory intervention. 
In light of the foregoing, I urge the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to investigate the practices of Nickel City Group LLC thoroughly and take swift and decisive action to hold them accountable for their reprehensible conduct. Consumers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and companies that engage in such flagrant violations of consumer rights must be held to the highest standards of accountability. 
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Company public response: Company believes the complaint provided an opportunity to answer consumer's questions
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation