Consumer complaint received 2017-07-19
Company: Amsher Collection Services, Inc.
State: MI
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
Good Day, I have a problem with   XXXX   and Amsher Collection Agency and now with   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX  .
I   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   along with my distant relative   XXXX   XXXX   went to a   XXXX   store on  XX/XX/XXXX at   XXXX   XXXX   EST to enroll in a plan and get   XXXX     XXXX   XXXX  . The store is located in  XXXX , NY  XXXX . My cousin switched his number  XXXX  to   XXXX    and got a   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX  . Account #  XXXX  I, However, got a new line #   XXXX   and ordered an   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX    which was not available in the store. I received the device on  XX/XX/XXXX . I never used the line from   XXXX   coz I already have an  XXXX  one. On  XX/XX/XXXX I went to the same   XXXX    store and requested a cancellation of my number line and to pay off the gadget full price. The rep told me they can not process such a request in the store, I had to do it on the phone.
On  XX/XX/XXXX    XXXX   XXXX   EST I contacted   XXXX   costumer service and cancelled my line and paid off the full price of the   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   of {$810.00} from my   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   ending in  XXXX  from my checking account ending in  XXXX  ( The payment was posted on  XX/XX/XXXX  on my bank account ). After I finished the process, I received an email with instructions to use it as UNLOCKED on any mobile carrier SIM.
After couple of weeks, I received a letter from  XXXX  telling me about an about of 400 and some change that I over paid for the phone set and the line bills. I contacted the costumer service department and asked them to keep the money so my cousin future bills will be paid and he will be contacted once the in advance amount of money is finished and he has to resume paying his bills. At the same day, I requested from  XXXX  to contact  XXXX  to change the billing info to his address and add his email to be able to manage the account.
My cousin finished his studies at   XXXX   XXXX   and went to   XXXX    on  XX/XX/XXXX  to close his account 'coz he was leaving the States back to his country. He paid what they requested {$310.00}.   XXXX    from his   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   ending in  XXXX  and received an email from   XXXX   regarding this payment. On the same day, he received an email with confirmation that his phone was unlocked and the instructions were included.
On  XX/XX/XXXX  at   XXXX   XXXX   EST I received an email from   XXXX   expressing their sorrow that I cancelled their service on this day and requiring that I return the   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   because after two years and some month they just realized that the phone was not paid in full.
At   XXXX   XXXX   EST I contacted   XXXX   Costumer Service and talked to a rep named  XXXX  requesting some info regarding this message, she was rude and very uncooperative and transferred me to  XXXX  at   XXXX   XXXX    EST and I explained to her that this phone and my number ending in   XXXX   were paid in full and cancelled my line service. She gave me a case number #   XXXX   for a follow up. They said they will locate my payment and get back to me.
Two months passed, so I thought that they solved the problem hence I did not get any correspondence or inquiries from them. Yet, On  XX/XX/XXXX  I receive two missed calls from a number that did NOT leave a message. At   XXXX   XXXX   EST I called the number and it turned out that it was Amsher Collection Agency demanding me paying a bill of 300 and some dollars and cents-I honestly forgot the exact $ $ figure 'coz I was mad- the agent who was really rude said that it was a past due bill from  XX/XX/XXXX .When I tried to explain to him the situation, he was even more rude and refused to listen to me. I contacted   XXXX   who could NOT access any info in my account 'coz it is now owned by Amsher . I contacted Amsher again and there was a nicer lady who listened to me and suggested I email them any proof of payment at disputes@amsher.com- account number #   XXXX   where I composed a very detailed email with all the payments and order correspondence along with my bank statement that has the proof of full payment of the   XXXX   XXXX  .
No reply whatsoever or any mail or phone calls. I waited 3 weeks before I contacted Amsher again requesting an update and asking if they received my email dispute. The rep claimed it may take 30-60 days to be processed.
I waited and contacted them again on  XX/XX/XXXX , the rep informed me that my case is now handled by a law firm and gave me the phone number  XXXX . I did call and an attorney answered me stating that he works for   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX  .
I asked him why a law firm is handling this, he said  XXXX  requested them to represent it against me. When I asked about the amount of money, he said it is 300 and some change along with the fees for the collection that came up to  XXXX  dollars and some cents. I informed him that I disputed the charge, his reply was that if i have a proof of payment after  XX/XX/XXXX  then I am welcome to submit it otherwise, I have to pay the {$600.00}. He claimed that the bill past due was for a service payment after  XX/XX/XXXX and NOT the phone payment the carrier allegedly emailed me about on the first place.
he bargained with me if I paid in full that day he will reduces the charge to {$400.00} and some change and he will contact the credit bureaus to remove the collection note from the   XXXX   federal bureaus. I told him I will get back to him and contacted my law firm   XXXX   XXXX   asked them to dispute the collection report from my credit bureaus reports and got a lawyer who can assist me with this problem.
Today  XX/XX/XXXX  at   XXXX   XXXX   EST I contacted   XXXX   for a last solution before I go to the legal channels.  XXXX  answered me and he said he will transfer me to an account manager to see into this dilemma and help answering my questions. At   XXXX   XXXX   EST,  XXXX  answered me and after a very detailed explanation and all the data I gave her I asked her if she can access either account of me or my cousin to tell me exactly what the debt is really for, is it a bill? or is it a phone payment? if it was a bill, why my cousin was n't told about if he closed the account with them and paid everything. If it was the   XXXX   charge, why was n't I told two years earlier and how could they close my service and unlock my phone if the payment was n't received in full on  XX/XX/XXXX ?
She recommended I contact the Solution Center and put me on a brief hold after she offered to give me their phone number. Two minutes passed then she told me even if i call the solution center they wo n't be able to access my account or give me any info or solve anything because my account is owned by Amsher the Debt Collection Agency.
So I decided to contact you hoping you help me with this problem. I have all the documentation from my end. I never received anything by email or mail. I was never contacted after the first time Amsher contacted me, neither from   XXXX   when I contacted them on  XX/XX/XXXX .
I am kindly requesting a detailed bill stating what kind of debt they are trying to collect and a all the bills were paid by me and my cousin thought out our dealing with them and then a Letter to the three Federal Credit Bureaus to remove the hard inquiry of the debt from my records.
I will attach all the documents for your review. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you so much.
Best,   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX

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