Product: Debt collection

I received a notice in the mail yesterday, XX/XX/2021, that I.Q. Data International had a collection open and were attempting to collect money from me because of a debt owed to an apartment complex I lived at 2 and a half years ago. I was confused about why I even owed the money as I had never received notification from the complex and thought I had settled everything with them. In any case, I figured I would call and try to get details on the debt and set up a low payment plan if needed so that I wouldnt have to stress about it. I simply wanted to do the right thing and reach out so I did and spoke to someone named XXXX. I explained the situation and stated that if it would be easiest I was willing to set up a payment plan but due to my family currently living on one income and already being stressed about money due to the pandemic I was only able to do about {$50.00} a month but could make higher payments in a few months. I also stated that I didnt really understand the meaning of the debt and wanted to reach out to my old property management company because to my understanding I had settled everything with them and remember signing a paper saying so and giving them my new address when I moved in case anything changed and I needed to pay anything else. I was told that the property management company would not talk to me and that I could choose not to pay if I wanted to but they would be forced to proceed. That scared me because Ive been trying to work on my credit. I tried to fill out a hardship request to work out a low monthly payment but was told that I did not qualify and the lowest payment they would accept was {$320.00} a month for three months or I could pay it in full and save {$100.00} off the total. I was told by XXXX to ask family for a loan or to have my husband try and get a loan and that I should be able to afford it because I didnt have any hardships. When I stated that losing my job in hospitality because of a pandemic and my husband having to suddenly support our family on his construction worker income was my hardship XXXX told me that she was a single mom with two kids. Essentially trying to make me feel bad about not being able to agree on the spot to the {$320.00} a month payment. A lower payment option was not offered. I was told to call back the same day or they would proceed. So I did what she said and reached out to family for help and the response that I got was basically wait, why do you even owe money? And the more that I thought about it I was like wait, I dont know. So I reached out to my old apartment complex who was under new management and I was never able to get ahold of the old management to discuss the situation and see if the debt was even valid. At this point Im wondering if Im being scammed somehow so I researched the collection agency and was amazed at the number of law suits and complaints against them. I then called the collection agency back to touch base and explain that I wanted to try and reach out to the property management company and get more details on the debt owed before I moved forward with trying to set up payments because I didnt feel comfortable with giving my debit card information to a stranger on the phone from a company with a bad reputation, bad customer service, and I had no reason to be sure I owed the debt in the first place. I was again told that I would not be able to speak to the property management company. XXXX attempted to explain the debt but nothing that she said lined up with my actual experience. I again stated that I was happy to set up a way to pay that I felt comfortable with but I first wanted to be sure that I actually owed the money. She said that she did not want to go in circles with me and that was fine but they would be forced to proceed. My phone died at this point and I plugged it in and called back asking for her manager. I again explained the situation and that I was just wanting more details and to make sure everything was happening above board. The manager was extremely rude. Ive dealt with plenty of bullies but this bully takes the cake. I cant recall his name, he honestly came at me in such a heated way that I couldnt even quote everything he said because I was so shaken. I do know that he accused me of refusing to pay the debt and said Now youre talking to the manager and I can send this to your credit report right now. I tried to explain that I wasnt refusing to pay the debt I was simply wanting more information on it before I gave my banking information to a company that Ive seen had a class action lawsuit against them because I did not feel comfortable with the situation. I was cut off and told that I was talking over him and that it was rude. I said that he had done the same thing to me and I was trying to be respectful but needed to speak. He went on about hurting my credit and when he paused I said am I allowed to speak? He replied, absolutely not. And again said he was going to report the debt to my credit. I said I wanted to join the class action lawsuit and he hung up. Defeated I tried to get my brother to call for me and see if someone else explaining that I just wanted more information on the debt and a way to pay it that felt safe and didnt debilitate my familys finances. My brother got exactly the same treatment. Even the speech on interrupting. Now that Ive taken more time to research the company Im glad I didnt give them my card information. It seems they are known for their shady tactics and bullying. I just hopes that this helps someone.