Consumer complaint received 2026-03-27 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: False statements or representation — Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official
Company: Stephen L. Bruce, P.C.
State: AR

Complaint narrative:
My wages were garnished on XX/XX/2026. At this time, I contacted Stephen Bruce and XXXX and explained to them that the garnishment will cause extreme hardship in which I was told that because I reside in Arkansas, they are allowed to review my case for wage garnishment reduction however, I will need to wait until they receive the answer from my employer and the first garnishment payment then I can call back and let them know. I asked, does this need to be in writing. I was told, no, I can just call and tell them verbally my income and my expenses and once this information is received, the attorneys will review. I called again on XX/XX/XXXX to determine if they had yet received anything. They indicated that they still had not received anything and to call back. On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent an email reiterating the hardship and also providing information regarding my income and my expenses. I had not receive any response to my email. On XX/XX/2026 my wages were garnished again and I called the firm and they indicated that they still have not received an answer nor any funds. The caller confirmed that since I'm in Arkansas, my case can be reviewed for a reduction. Each time I called the company, I was told that because I reside in Arkansas, I can be considered once the attorneys have reviewed the funds they received, the response from my employer and my hardship request ( expenses, etc. ). Still not hearing anything, I contacted the firm again on XX/XX/XXXX and was told that they had not received my email and I would need to re-send the email. I sent the email from two separate emails to ensure receipt the second time around. I received a response to my email today ( one day later, XX/XX/2026 ) basically stating that I was misinformed from their office and that in Arkansas, they are not able to do a wage reduction in their office. So I immediately called and spoke with XXXX who stated that laws change frequently and the laws of Arkansas has changed between yesterday and today and they can no longer consider wage garnishment reductions. I asked to speak to an attorney or a manager. XXXX told me no one was available, everyone in the office was in a meeting. So I was transferred to a random voicemail in which I left a message for a return call. I also called the extension provided in the email x115 for XXXX and I did not receive a call back from either individuals. I then called back and spoke with XXXX who informed me that XXXX 's case notes states that he was checking with a supervisor regarding a reduction of my wage garnishment in the state of Arkansas. The repeated and conflicting information I received from Stephen Bruce and XXXX has caused me significant financial hardship, stress, and confusion. I relied on the companys statements that my case could be reviewed for a wage garnishment reduction due to hardship. During this time, my wages continued to be garnished on XX/XX/2026 and again on XX/XX/2026, reducing my ability to pay for essential living expenses for myself and my household. I have children to support, and the loss of income has directly impacted my ability to maintain basic necessities such as housing, childcare, utilities, and food. Additionally, I took the time to prepare and submit detailed hardship documentation, including my income and expenses, which the company later claimed they never received. I then had to resend this information, further delaying any potential resolution. After weeks of being told my case would be reviewed, I was suddenly informed that I had been misinformed and that no such review or reduction is possible in Arkansas. This reversal has left me in a worse position and without the opportunity to act sooner to protect my income. I believe the actions of Stephen Bruce and XXXX may violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, including but not limited to : Making false, deceptive, or misleading representations regarding my rights and options, specifically by repeatedly stating that my garnishment could be reviewed and potentially reduced due to hardship, and later reversing that position Providing inconsistent and inaccurate information that caused me to delay exercising my legal rights Failing to properly handle and respond to my written communication regarding a hardship request Misrepresenting the availability of remedies under Arkansas law, creating the impression that no options exist when that determination is ultimately within the authority of the court.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation