Consumer complaint received 2021-03-14
Company: Phoenix Financial Services LLC
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
1.XX/XX/XXXX I received a debt collection notice on behalf of " Phoenix Financial Services " ... contracted by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX '' to collect an alleged debt. The debt collection letter was dated XX/XX/XXXX1 and the alleged debt was stated to be in the full amount of {$60.00}. 
2. The XX/XX/XXXX letter stated the original Creditor was " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX '' and alleged that I was indebted {$60.00} for medical services rendered by Doctor : XXXX XXXX XXXX on XXXX XXXX ). 
3. I was confused because : a. I did not recognize this alleged debt. 
b. I did not recognize nor recall signing a contract with " Phoenix Financial Services. '' c. I did not recognize nor recall signing a contract with " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
d. I did not recognize nor recall signing a contract with " XXXX XXXX XXXX '' e. I did not recognize the alleged treating physicians name, signing, or consenting for such treatments to be rendered by XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. 
f. Nor did I recognize the occurrence of such medical services rendered on the alleged date ( XXXX ). 
4. After reviewing the notice of debt collection for one day, I wanted more information. I politely contacted " Phoenix Financial Services '' on (XX/XX/XXXX ) using their provided phone number. The first representative maliciously and abruptly hung-up on me. 
5. I feared for the well-being of my credit and my medical privacy of this alleged medical information as outlined by HIPAA. I immediately called back and politely asked to speak with a supervisor due to the original representatives abrupt, malicious, and rude behavior by hanging up on me. The representatives actions were a clear violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). 
6. I explained to the Supervisor my itemized concerns [ a. through f. ]. I also stated my Father and I have the identical name, he and I were on the same insurance plan, and I visitied him in the hospital around that time frame after he was rear-ended and and a pick-up truck landed on the hood of his vehicle. The Supervisor explained that he has encountered errors resulting from " Jr. & Sr. Names Shared by Father and Son. I reluctantly remitted payment under the Supervisors assurance that if I paid this alleged debt that was on all Three of my Credit Reports ; the alleged debt would be settled as a payment in full for {$60.00} if I remitted payment right then and there. He also assured me he would send a letter stating the account had been satisfied in full, there would be no further collection practices, and all records of this collection activity would be completely removed from my Credit Reports.

7. In desperation for my best interests and in acquiescence, I remitted payment in the full amount of {$60.00} on (XX/XX/XXXX ) to rightfully protect my credit, financial interests, and private medical records. [ Ref : Proof of Payment in Full for {$60.00} on (XX/XX/XXXX ) ]. [ Credit Card Statement Attached ]. 
8. OnXX/XX/XXXXI received the Supervisors letter via USPS from Phoenix Financial Services. The letter was datedXX/XX/XXXX. It stated the following : Confirmation of Account Satisfaction & Account Balance Due : {$0.00}. 
9. OnXX/XX/XXXX I received a letter datedXX/XX/XXXXfrom Phoenix Financial Services. It stated This notice serves as confirmation that the above-referenced account with the above referenced creditor has been closed and returned to the creditor. Thus, the account is closed in our system. 
10. What is of the utmost concern to me is the correspondence was written on the letterhead of Phoenix Financial Services and included attachments from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX dated their correspondence asXX/XX/XXXX : Two business days after I remitted payment in full. It also stated : This is communication is from a debt collection agency. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information will be used for that purpose. XXXX XXXX XXXX wrongfully claims I am indebted to them in the amount of {$2100.00}. I am incredibly confused. I remitted payment on XX/XX/XXXXagain two business days prior to their dated correspondence. This makes zero sense. 
11. Most importantly, all documents ( attached ) contain identical Account Numbers, Original Account Numbers, Original Creditor, Contracted Creditor, the alleged Balance, Date of alleged services, and a clear statement : CONFIRMATION OF ACCOUNT SATISFACTION & ACCOUNT BALANCE DUE : {$0.00}. 
12. The clear paper trail, my prompt and timely remittance of payment, proof of payment displayed on my credit card statement datedXX/XX/XXXX, and a letter stating the account balance is {$0.00} proves unequivocally I satisfied this alleged debt in complete Accord & Satisfaction with the law. I remitted payment for this alleged debt, in full, for the Balance Due : {$60.00} on XX/XX/XXXX The additional collection practices that have ensued lead me to believe these debt collection practices are immoral, illegitimate, fraudulent, and illegal. Furthermore, I question if the {$60.00} I paid Phoenix Financial Services constitutes Wire-Fraud and I sincerely question the legitimacy of this alleged debt. I have reason to question this debt given the circumstances and whirlwind of conflicting claims in each piece of correspondence I received.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation