Consumer complaint received 2023-05-08
Company: Aldous & Associates, PLLC
State: NJ
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Notification didn't disclose it was an attempt to collect a debt

Complaint:
Opened up an account with XXXX XXXX in XXXX, PA. ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, PA XXXX ) I was stated that I had a 3 month membership mandatory, and after that I would have to re-sign up to continue using facility. After the 3 months passed by on the XXXX I was charged another payment to XXXX, as soon as I got the bill I went to XXXX XXXX  to cancel my membership the original person that opened my account his name was XXXX told me I couldn't cancel my membership there, so they told me to send a cancellation letter to XXXX XXXX location. Next day I send the letter through regular means, I drop it off at the mailbox next to my apartment complex, and I contact XXXX  at XXXX XXXX the front-staff picks ups and I ask if there is anything else I need to do, they told me they will put status on my account for closure and I'm all good to go. 

XXXX time they kept continuing to charge me without my knowledge, the only communication that they sent me went straight to SPAM email section. 

After that point I started receiving about XXXX calls a day from unknown numbers, all from different states and area codes. The only voicemail that was left to me was ( Associates please contact XXXX XXXX ) that was it, I didn't get any notice about debt being due and all the emails that I got all went to spam once again. 

The only way I found out about any of this is through my application for a House Mortgage I needed to get my credit report, and I saw that I was sent to a debt collection agency " ALDOUS AND ASSOCIATES '' and it said that I had unpaid balance of XXXX XXXX 

I contacted Aldous customer service and let them know about my issue, they told me that they don't let anyone know about debt being collected because they couldn't verify if it was me until I answered the call? They also told me they sent me debt mail to my mailing address ... when I asked to repeat the address to me they told me it was XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX instead of XXXX XXXX and I told them I haven't received a single letter from them. 

They started telling me that the post box office wouldn't make that mistake and the post man would take my mail straight to my address even if there was a mistake. 

I told them I had no issues paying this debt if someone would just let me know, I didn't have any financial struggles but my only concern was that nothing was communicated to me... 

When I asked them about emails, they told me that my emails got back to them as a confirmation for spam so they couldn't get a hold of me through those means either. 

I asked them if they had any options about me paying for the debt which I did not assume, since I didn't use the gym facilities at all, I didn't know I was a member at all, and asked them if I can pay-for-delete or good will delete from my credit report. They told me they can't do anything about it and I have to pay. 

I've never been more upset about a process like this in my life. 

I've had perfect credit history for the past 15 years, I paid of 2 cars, I pay off my balances every month, I keep my credit utilization low, and I keep a check to make sure my credit score doesn't get dinged because I understand the importance of good credit standing. 

So now since I've been trying to apply for a mortgage loan, this payment is showing up in my credit history. 

As soon as I found out about this, I did not hesitate to pay, I paid it on the same day and they are telling me they can't do nothing about it. 

This is extremely disgusting way of dealing with customers, both XXXX XXXXXXXX  and Aldous Associates ruining and adding issues for no reason.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation