Consumer complaint received 2025-03-09 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Law Office of Michael J. Scott, PC
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
OFFICIAL COMPLAINT To : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) Complainant : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX Email : XXXX Chronological Timeline of Events Account Activity Period : XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX  XXXX  account statements provided. 

Last Payment Made : XX/XX/XXXX Last payment recorded on the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account. 

Statute of Limitations Expiration ( 4 years from last payment ) : XX/XX/XXXX Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.004, the statute of limitations ( 4 years ) for debt collection expired. 

Initial Collection Letter from Scott & Associates : XX/XX/XXXX Scott & Associates , P.C . sent an initial debt collection notice to XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX XXXX 's Debt Validation Request : XX/XX/XXXX A formal debt validation request was sent via USPS certified mail ( tracking number XXXX ). 

Delivered : XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX XXXX, XXXX, TX XXXX. 

Scott & Associates ' Response and Violations : XX/XX/XXXX Scott & Associates incorrectly addressed XXXX XXXX as an attorney, violating state and federal laws. 

Scott & Associates failed to provide sufficient debt validation documentation. 

Violations Committed by Scott & Associates , P.C . 

Federal Violations ( FDCPA - Regulation F, 12 CFR Part 1006 ) : Collection of Time-Barred Debt 12 CFR 1006.26 prohibits debt XXXX from collecting debts beyond the statute of limitations. 

Violation : Scott & Associates attempted to collect a debt after XX/XX/XXXX, despite the expiration of the statute of limitations. 

Failure to Provide Proper Debt Validation 12 CFR 1006.34 & 1006.38 require debt XXXX to provide detailed validation notices and cease collection activities upon dispute until proper validation is provided. 

Violation : Scott & Associates provided insufficient validation documentation and continued collection attempts despite XXXX XXXX 's dispute. 

False or Misleading Representations 12 CFR 1006.18 prohibits debt XXXX from misrepresenting the character, amount, or legal status of the debt or misrepresenting the consumer 's identity or profession. 

Violation : Scott & Associates falsely labeled XXXX XXXX as an attorney. 

Texas State Violations ( Finance Code Chapter 392 & Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 16 ) : Attempt to Collect Debt Beyond Statute of Limitations Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.004 sets a four-year statute of limitations on debt collection. 

Violation : Scott & Associates attempted to collect the debt after the statute of limitations expired on XX/XX/XXXX. 

Failure to Cease Collection After Dispute Texas Finance Code 392.202 requires debt XXXX to cease collection efforts if a debt is disputed until proper validation is provided. 

Violation : Scott & Associates continued collection attempts without proper validation after XXXX XXXX 's dispute was received on XX/XX/XXXX. 

Misrepresentation and Deceptive Practices Texas Finance Code 392.304 prohibits debt XXXX from misrepresenting the nature of the debt or falsely labeling an individual 's identity or profession. 

Violation : Scott & Associates falsely labeled XXXX XXXX as an attorney. 

Surety Bond Requirement Texas Finance Code 392.101 requires third-party debt XXXX to maintain and provide proof of a surety bond. 

Potential Violation : Scott & Associates has not provided proof of compliance with Texas surety bond requirements upon request. 

Additional Notes Scott & Associates provided statements from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account ( XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX ), confirming the date of the last payment as XX/XX/XXXX. This further substantiates the expiration of the statute of limitations on XX/XX/XXXX, under Texas law. 

Requested Actions Formal Action Against Scott & Associates , P.C . 

Request an investigation into their illegal debt collection practices. 

Enforce penalties for violations of federal debt collection laws. 

Request Additional Documentation from Scott & Associates , P.C . : Original signed contract proving debt validity Detailed payment history Proof of debt assignment and transfer Proof of surety bond compliance Conclusion Scott & Associates , P.C . has engaged in illegal and deceptive debt collection practices in violation of both federal and Texas state laws. Their attempt to collect a time-barred debt, failure to provide proper validation, and misrepresentation of XXXX XXXX XXXX identity warrant immediate regulatory investigation and enforcement action. 

I respectfully request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) takes appropriate action against Scott & Associates , P.C . for these violations and ensures compliance with both federal and state debt collection laws. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation