Consumer complaint received 2022-07-11
Company: Convergent Resources, Inc.
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
I had a collection with CONVERGENT OUTSOURCING, INC. Said collection was for a past creditor ( XXXX XXXX USA ). I was working with an attorney to help settle this, along with other debts. My attorney was able to obtain a settlement agreement with Convergent and set up a payment schedule. Said schedule ran from XX/XX/XXXX ( 1 time monthly ) through XX/XX/XXXX ( Final payment ). On XX/XX/XXXX, the final payment status was updated to show " cleared. '' On that same date, I called Convergent and spoke to a representative by the name of " XXXX XXXX. '' I informed Ms. XXXX that I was calling to obtain a letter from Convergent stating that my account had been " PAID IN FULL/ SETTLED '' and would be removed from my credit reports. Ms. XXXX confirmed that the final payment had been received, but informed me that since the payment had just been received on XX/XX/XXXX ( The day prior ), I would need to wait until Monday - XX/XX/XXXX, to request the letter I was seeking. She informed me that on that day, they would gladly process my request for this letter. I thanked her and the phone call ended. 
Since XX/XX/XXXX, I have been making daily numerous call attempts ( Morning, noon and evening - Different times during the day ) to contact Convergent and speak to someone regarding my request and my paid account. I have called numerous telephone numbers provided via past letters, XXXX searches and even the telephone number provided on my XXXX credit report, with no success. Each time I call, I get an answering machine message stating " Unavailable to answer my call at the moment, please call again during normal business hours, '' and " We are unable to assist you at the moment, please try again later. '' I have even sent an email requesting for assistance and detailing my attempts. No response. 
This morning ( XX/XX/XXXX - XXXX XXXX  ) I tried again, called the number provided on my credit reports ( XXXX ) and was given a different voicemail message. This voicemail message stated, " We are unable to assist you at the moment, but your call is important, please call XXXX. '' I called that number and a message answered my call stating, " We are unable to assist you at the moment, but your call is important, please call XXXX. '' Basically asking me to call the number I had just called. I tried again using one of the other numbers previously attempted ( XXXX - Number obtained through a Convergent website, originally called and spoke to representative XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, using this number ) and was prompted to call XXXX. Then I called another number provided on the last letter received from Convergent ( XXXX ) this is also another number provided on their website, and I was prompted with the message that stated, " We are unable to assist you at the moment, but your call is important, please call XXXX. '' Once again, basically asking me to call the number I was calling. 
I am asking for any assistance in reporting this company. I have emailed them, I have called them, I have done everything short of hopping on a plane and going to Washington State personally to try to talk to someone about this request. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I ran a XXXX search and called a number which popped up as Convergent. I explained the situation and the gentleman that answered ( XXXX XXXX ) informed me that he did not work directly with Convergent, but he worked assisting to remove companies like Convergent from people 's credit reports. He did inform me that I was not the only individual that had reached out to him. He mentioned receiving many calls from different people also complaining about Convergent and that he had knowledge that a month prior ( XX/XX/XXXX ), Convergent had been heavily fined in Washington State for their business practices and from what he understood, they had perhaps even closed their doors as of the end of XX/XX/XXXX. 

I am not sure what to do. I have paid Convergent all the money that was agreed upon and now, I am unable to reach anyone with Convergent in order to obtain a letter from them confirming that my account is PAID and would be removed from my credit reports. This is affecting my credit score negatively. I do not want to deal with any other collection agencies that may come around later attempting to collect for this debt in a few months, years, etc. I have already filed disputes with the credit agencies and am waiting for their investigation to conclude. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated! This company should not be allowed to just collect and disappear. 

Thank you!

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