I am writing this letter of complaint regarding Columbia Credit Services. I have contacted Columbia Credit Services several times over the last two years in an attempt to settle a debt once owed to MBNA. The total owed to MBNA at the time the card was closed was about $1600.00. MBNA sold the debt to Columbia Credit Services which now states that the amount owed presently is over $8,000. I was contacted about 2 years ago with threatening phone calls stating that I had a judgment against me and I needed to pay about $1,000 dollars so that they would not pursue this claim. I requested that I receive something in writing to verify this payment. They assured me they would send a letter as soon as I made the payment. I made the payment for the amount petrified of the idea of being sued. I later followed up with them 2 weeks later demanding my letter but to no avail. I kept following up with Columbia Credit Services but they insisted that they don't want to schedule me for monthly payments.
Columbia Credit Services stated loud and clear that they wanted the entire amount. The threatening phone calls began once again this year, this time at my job. They called threatening to have my pay check garnished if I don't pay at least 50% of the amount ($8,000). I informed them that I don't have that type of money but they insisted that I pay or else. I asked them to stop calling my job but they kept calling every day. I knew this was some sort of harassment but I did not know what to do to make them stop. After about 1 month, I got tired of the phone calls and tried to make an agreement to start a down payment of the total amount. However, they still insisted that I pay about 50% of the total in order to start a down payment.
We finally came to a verbal agreement to pay an initial payment of $500 for the first month then another 500 the following month. After the first $500 payment, I insisted that they send me some paperwork to confirm I was making a payment but they told me to use the check as proof. Less than two weeks after the initial payment, Columbia Credit Services went into my account without permission and took $245. I called (Carlos) to inquire about the fraudulent activity but he told me he would look into it and let me know but he never resolved the situation even after many phone calls. Due to their fraudulent behavior two of my checks were returned for insufficient funds and I had to pay the fees. I cannot afford to conduct business with a company of this nature. I am scared to make a payment to this company using my account fearing they may go into my account unannounced again. I believe this company is involved in some wrongful and questionable practices. Please advise on what to do.
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