Consumer complaint received 2021-10-05
Company: United Collection Bureau, Inc.
State: IN
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive notice of right to dispute

Complaint:
I owned the state of Indiana a total of {$2200.00} for the XXXX tax year and {$370.00} for the XXXX tax year, which brings my total debt for both years to {$2600.00}. As such, I was contacted by UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) in XX/XX/XXXX. UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) is a third-party collection agency the state of Indiana hired to collect tax debs. I set up a monthly payment plan with UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) in an effort to pay this debt off. The first debt was on XX/XX/XXXX, and every month thereafter, the first week of each month. 

On approximately XX/XX/XXXX, I received two certified mail letters via the US Postal Service from the Indiana Department of Revenue indicating I have a remaining {$190.00} for my XXXX state tax debt, and {$1100.00} remaining on my XXXX tax debt. Subsequently, on Friday, XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter from the Indiana Department of Revenue informing me that there was a tax lien on my vehicle because of the unpaid above-listed tax debt. Needless to say, I was extremely confused because for over a year I have successfully paid on this tax debt. As such, on Monday, XX/XX/XXXX, contacted both the Indiana Department of Revenue and UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) because I assumed this tax lien was placed on my account in error. I spoke with a representative from the Indiana Department of Revenue and she confirmed that the lien was valid and the debt had not been paid. I informed her I was paying this debt to their third-party collections agency UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) ; she indicated she could not see this data ; I informed her I would contact UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) directly, however ; I wanted to file an official complaint and wanted to speak with a supervisor. She provided me with a link to the online XXXX ( Protest Submission Form ) form, which I completed and sent to XXXX. She indicated a supervisor would be contacting me within the next 24 hours. I then contacted CB ( United Collection Bureau ) on XX/XX/XXXX, and left a voice mail message requesting they contact me. 

UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) returned my call on XX/XX/XXXX ; I initially spoke to XXXX XXXX, and she informed me that the state of Indiana made some 'changes '' that caused my payment plan to detective and they sent me a letter asking I contact them to reestablish the payment plan. I informed her I have never received anything from UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) and she stated they not only sent the letter, but they have also sent monthly statements to my address of file, which I verified was correct. XXXX indicated statements were to my home address on XX/XX/XXXX ; XX/XX/XXXX ; XX/XX/XXXX ; XX/XX/XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX. I informed her I have never received any of these statements. I asked her specifically what date was the letter indicating I had to reestablish my payment plan sent and dated. She could not provide me with this information. After continuing to demand the date the letter was sent to me, XXXX lied and said it was sent with the XX/XX/XXXX statement. I informed her I did not believe her and I wanted to speak with a supervisor. She transferred me to XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX informed me that the Indiana Department of Revenue changed its reference numbers to all customer 's accounts in XX/XX/XXXX thus, requiring all customers to reestablish their payment plans. XXXX informed me that my original reference numbers were as follows : XXXX Ref # : XXXX - {$370.00} XXXX Ref # : XXXX - {$2200.00} My new reference numbers are as follows : XXXX Ref # : XXXX {$190.00} XXXX Ref # : XXXX - {$1100.00} XXXX indicated that the letter informing me I had to reestablish my payment plan because of the above reference number changes was sent to me on XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX XXXX. I informed XXXX I did not receive anything from UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) and asked that he please resend me this letter via US Postal Service or email. XXXX indicated he could not resend the letter, I asked why and he could not provide me with an explanation. I informed him this was a violation of my rights by not notifying me of these changes. XXXX continued to insist that a letter was sent however, he could not provide any evidence of this thus, causing the Indiana Department of Revenue to put a lien on my vehicle. I asked if I could access this letter via their online portal he said I could not access the letter and/or any of the monthly statements. I informed him I would be reporting UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) because of their negligence and lack of communication which caused the Indiana Department of Revenue to place a tax lien on my vehicle. 

To date, I have not received any communications from UCB ( United Collection Bureau ) via US Postal Service, email, phone call, etc.. and because of this, I have been penalized by the state of Indiana for neglect to pay a tax debt. Their negligence and lack of communicating any changes to my account directly impacted and caused my account with the Indiana Department of Revenue to reflect negatively for non-payment of tax debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation