Consumer complaint received 2024-01-08
Company: FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUTSOURCING, INC.
State: IL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Rental debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged

Complaint:
I hereby submit a formal complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) against XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and Fair Collections and Outsourcing for the inaccurate reporting of my account number XXXX. In XX/XX/XXXX, I initiated divorce proceedings in XXXX XXXX from my XXXX  ex-husband. In XX/XX/XXXX, my son and I sought refuge at XXXX of the units for rent at XXXX XXXX XXXX, having fled with only the clothes on our backs due to the XXXX circumstances. At that time, I was employed as a XXXX  at XXXX XXXX. Unfortunately, my ex-husband 's XXXX XXXX XXXX behavior led to my denial of access to our marital funds, credit cards, bank accounts, and 401K/IRA accounts , which he unlawfully withheld.

After being cut off from my investments and marital funds, I informed the manager, XXXX XXXX, at XXXX XXXX XXXX about my divorce proceedings. I kept her updated on when I would receive emergency funds to ensure the timely payment of my account. I provided documentation from my attorneys, including the emergency divorce proceedings and email correspondence, to support my claims. XXXX XXXX assured me that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  would not send me to collections for the outstanding balance and that I could settle the amount owed once I received the emergency funds, without being unjustly placed into collections. 

However, in XX/XX/XXXX, I was wrongfully placed into collections, resulting in severe damage to my credit. Multiple representatives from Fair Collections and Outsourcing confirmed that, due to the account 's association with divorce proceedings, it would be promptly removed from my credit report upon payment. Despite having paid the account in full over XXXX years ago, it remains on my credit report. This negative account has hindered my ability to secure a mortgage and obtain auto financing as I sought to rebuild my life for myself and my XXXX. 

I demand that all XXXX  credit bureaus as well as the CFPB thoroughly investigate and remove this inaccurate and defamatory entry from my credit report. Failure to do so will result in legal action by my attorney. I intend to file a lawsuit against Fair Collections and Outsourcing, as well as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , seeking damages for the harm caused to my personal credit, as well as punitive and emotional damages suffered by my XXXX. I possess documentation and correspondence between myself and XXXX XXXX, the manager of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX which substantiates incidents such as my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX outside of our residence and the theft of numerous items from my vehicle by Section 8 residents. When I requested information and correspondence through XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX via email I was informed they switched management and there was no electronic correspondence kept during the transition to the new management company which is unacceptable and a massive violation of my consumer rights and the FCRA .

Furthermore, I have been made aware that the CFPB, FTC, and FBI are taking action against Fair Collections and Outsourcing for unjustly placing individuals into collections. I have attached an article that directly relates to my situation. Despite numerous requests in the past, I have not received satisfactory responses or documentation from Fair Collections and Outsourcing or XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Responses have included claims that the account was " verified as accurate, '' that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  has no record of my account due to management changes, furthermore the investigation exceeded the XXXX time frame, which violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act and my consumer rights and the account should be immediately removed from my credit report.

Once again, I demand the immediate removal of account number XXXX from my credit reports, as its presence is a direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation