Product: Debt collection

On XX/XX/23, I was contacted by a XXXX XXXX with XXXX. I have my phone set up to reject unknown numbers and only learned that this was a debt collection agency because my mother called me and informed me that XXXX XXXX contacted her to get in touch with me on the matter, which I understand is not allowed ( please correct me if I am wrong ). 

I returned XXXX 's call on 1/4 and he informed me it was an attempt to collect a debt for The XXXX Apartments. This took me by surprise because The Collection had my forwarding address but I never received anything about owing them money until this call from XXXX and I inquired with XXXX what address the communications were sent to and after great hesitation, he recited the address and it was my address at the apartment trying to collect the debt, not the forwarding address I provided. You will be able to see proof of this in the file I have attached labeled " Incorrect Address Dispute Letter ''. 

I asked XXXX to explain what I was being charged for and he listed off the charges which I informed him were all incorrect and that I had photos and proof to nullify them. I asked him if I could have a few days to contact the apartment complex and understand what went wrong and provide them the same photo evidence but XXXX informed me that he could not give me a few days because he has now been in contact with me and that he wouldn't be able to delay the debt from being forwarding to collections since he and I spoke. 

I asked what was within my power to do to pause the debt from being sent to collections and instead of informing me that I could request proof of the debt or dispute the debt, he said the only way I could delay the debt going into collections was by providing a payment method to put on file ; he said it could be a credit or debit card and that it could be expired so that I do not actually get charged. 

In my ignorance of situations like this, I told him that was fine and he forwarded me to someone in their finance department and I provided her a card number but locked the card so that I would not be charged until I spoke to the apartment complex.I got in touch with the apartment complex the next day on XX/XX/23 and they informed me there was nothing they could do since the debt was now with debt collectors. 

I began researching my rights because I KNOW this debt is incorrect and found that I could request proof of debt and that the collection agency would have to stop attempting to collect the debt until that proof was provided. 

On XX/XX/23, I sent via certified mail, the letter requesting proof of debt ( file attached ). I contacted XXXX at his extension number and informed him that I was requesting proof of the debt and he offered to send it via email, I declined and requested it in paper and let him know I sent in a letter requesting proof of the debt and requested he stop trying to collect the debt until the proof was provided and he vehemently declined stating it was not the law to stop collection attempts until proof of debt is provided. I informed him it is indeed the law and that he did not offer requesting proof of debt or disputing the debt as an option to delay collections when I asked him what my options were, he only told me that I had to put a card on file. 

My certified mail letter requesting proof of debt was delivered and signed for on XX/XX/23 ( screenshot attached ). XXXX repeatedly tried to charge my credit card even after the letter was delivered. After some time, the attempted charges stopped but I then saw there was a derogatory mark on my credit from XXXX. At that point, I still did not receive the requested proof of debt. 

On XX/XX/23, I decided it would be best to dispute the debt since it seemed like I would not be getting the proof that I owed it and it was now a derogatory mark on my credit which was reported on XX/XX/23 ( screenshot attached ). I sent the dispute letter via certified mail ( file attached ) and it was delivered and signed for on XX/XX/23 ( screenshot attached ). In that dispute letter, I also attached the evidence/photos determining this debt is incorrect ( all evidence files attached ). 

Near the end of XXXX, I get a letter in the mail from XXXX that was dated XX/XX/23 ( file attached ) and it was in reference to my request for proof of debt and the file only contained an itemized list of charges and the first couple of pages from my lease with the apartment complex. From my understanding, an itemized list of charges does not actually classify as proof of debt and it was the same itemized list XXXX recited during our calls that I already disputed in the dispute letter sent on XX/XX/23. 

I then tried my hand at disputing the debt through the XXXX credit bureau and received a letter from XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/23 stating " no new information was provided and that the decision remains unchanged. '' ( file attached ). 

I am submitting this complaint in hopes to get the derogatory mark removed from my credit or at least negotiate the correct amount, which would be the last month of utilities, paid and then have the derogatory marked removed, because I am indeed being asked to pay a large amount more on a debt that is incorrect.