Consumer complaint received 2020-09-28
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I had lived at the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, in XXXX XXXX, Florida for over 2 years and I had never once failed to pay my rent. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I had to urgently move out of the apartment due to health issues which would've caused me to not be able to afford my rent anymore. I thoroughly cleaned the apartment and then dropped off the keys in an envelope at the office with a note to the manager. After a few days, I was able to go back and speak to both the manager and assistant manager, in person, about my situation. Based on an area of the contract, that mentioned if anyone leaves without prior notice, it is left up to the discretion of the manager to charge or not charge that individual ; I asked the question of whether or not I would be charged, and I was told by the manager not to worry about it, to just focus on getting better. I didn't bother to ask about my security deposit and it was never brought up. I gave them a forwarding address and they had my phone number, just in case they needed to contact me. I left with the understanding that everything was squared away. 

In the middle of one of my treatments in XX/XX/XXXX, I received a phone call from a debt collector, who claimed I owe a debt of {$1000.00} to XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX, which was very shocking to me. I explained to the debt collector the whole situation and told her that as far as I know, I was the one who was owed my security deposit. A few days after I saw where it was placed on my credit report. 
When I first rented the apartment in XXXX, I started out paying {$790.00} monthly until the amount increased to {$880.00} in XXXX. I had paid {$500.00} as a security deposit. I had paid my rent for the month of XXXX, and I left before XXXX. 

I was never told about a balance being owed, I was never contacted, at no point at all, and nothing was ever said about my security deposit being refunded, yet I was contacted by a collection agency and immediately after a {$1000.00} debt was placed on my credit report to destroy my reputation. 

I contacted the XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX and spoke with the Assistant Manager about the call that I had received from the collection agency, and was told that he had nothing to do with it. I was told that it was the corporate office who had made the claim. He provided me with a telephone number for the corporate office, which I had called multiple times, however, I was not able to reach anyone. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I called TSI to dispute the debt and spoke to " Lady '', a representative at the collection agency. I was told to expect a mail that would include a copy of the document detailing the claim. 

After receiving the mail, on XX/XX/XXXX I called back TSI Collection Agency to further dispute what this document was claiming. I informed the agency that the debts are false and the information on the document was also incorrect. I later sent proof documents ( receipts and pictures ) to TSI via fax. 
On XX/XX/XXXX I called back TSI collection Agency to follow-up on the case and was told that they were waiting on a response from the company, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX 

Currently, the problem has not been resolved and is causing a MAJOR PROBLEM in my life. For one, it has damaged my reputation and my credibility. I am currently homeless due to the fact that my applications for housing keeps getting denied based on the derogatory mark on my credit report. Due to this great amount of stress my health is also being affected in a very negative way. 

I would greatly appreciate your attention to this matter as it is very overwhelming and cruel.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation