Consumer complaint received 2023-12-11
Company: First Federal Credit Control, Inc.
State: NY
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged

Complaint:
Subject : Formal Complaint Against First Federal Credit Control , Inc. - ( Account Ref XXXX ) Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to file a formal complaint against First Federal Credit Control , Inc. for predatory medical debt collections practices. 

Issue : First Federal Credit Control , Inc. ( FFCC ) contacted me on XX/XX/XXXX and claimed that I owed a medical bill which I disputed. Subsequently, I asked for more information, followed up with FFCC when I did not hear communications from them, and then was falsely reported to the credit agencies by FFCC for not paying a medical debt. I believe FCCs behavior is unacceptable. Their behavior is not in compliance the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) and violates my rights as a consumer. 

Detailed Timeline : Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXX : I received a letter in the mail from FFCC that claimed I owed a medical bill. I strongly told the agent on the call, XXXX XXXX, that I was in no way responsible for this medical bill and I wanted to gather all the information to explain why. XXXX XXXX said that I needed to send a request in writing which I sent to XXXX XXXX immediately after our phone call. ( request email attached ). 
I am writing to follow up on my previous correspondence dated XX/XX/XXXX, regarding the alleged debt on account Ref XXXX, which I disputed for lack of verification and adequate documentation. To date, I have not received any response or the requested substantiating information. 
Thursday, XX/XX/XXXX : I received an insufficient itemized bill via email from XXXX XXXX. 
Monday, XX/XX/XXXX : I sent an email to XXXX XXXX and FFCC disputing the alleged debt for Lack of Verification and Documentation and formally requested evidence validating the debt including, a detailed account statement and proof of the original creditor. 

Sunday, XX/XX/XXXX : I sent an email to FFCC and XXXX XXXX after not hearing a response from them for 30 days stating that the absence of a response from FFCC is taken to be understood that the medical debt is invalid and unenforceable. 

Thursday, XX/XX/XXXX : I received notification from my credit monitors that there has been a report to the credit agencies from FFCC of an unpaid medical debt. 
XXXX XXXX  I emailed FFCC and XXXX XXXX explaining that I repeatedly asked for more information, and they continued to ignore me. I asked them to remove the notification and verify the removal within 48 hours. 
XXXX XXXX  I finally received a communication from XXXX XXXX after over 2 months of being ignored and the email said, Good afternoon XXXX, you received the itemization on XX/XX/. Pay your bill and we can remove it off your credit report. 

The actions of XXXX XXXX and FFCC have been finacnily and emotionally damaging. I have a nearly stellar credit score and as a sole propeitor that is vital for my access to credit and reputation amongst lender relationships. The FFCC has cost me an unacceptable amount of time and energy. I have tried to communicate and work with them to resolve this issue and they have chosen to treat me like someone who they have autonomos power and control over. 

I am formally requesting the help of the CFPB to utilize its resources to help me resolve this issue with FFCC and I would also like to request the CFPB launch a formal investigation into FFCC as the way they treat the average consumer is both alarming and concerning.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation