Consumer complaint received 2023-08-02
Company: S & S Recovery, Inc.
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2023, I called the XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX to settle student debt ( not federal or private loan ) in the amount of {$6000.00}. I was told by XXXX of the cashiers office that the debt was turned over to S & S Recovery ( XXXX ). I called XXXX & XXXX XXXX and was connected to XXXX at extension XXXX, who happened to be the representative handling my case. XXXX advised me that I owed {$1500.00} in addition to the {$6000.00}. Baffled, I questioned the additional fees. XXXX advised me that the additional fees were late fees assessed by XXXX XXXX. This immediately presented a red-flag because I had just spoken to XXXX of XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX and XXXX spoken to a representative at the XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX prior, XX/XX/2023. XXXX assured me that the additional fees only came from XXXX XXXX  when they had taken over the account. I told XXXX that I would call her back at her extension in XXXX to XXXX minutes so that I could verify some information. 

I immediately called the XXXX University XXXX XXXX to verify the information provided to me by XXXX. XXXX answered the phone and was distraught by the information I had received from XXXX. XXXX stated that the information provided by XXXX was completely false and that XXXX University had assessed no additional fees onto my student account. XXXX stated that the additional {$1500.00} fee was apparently assessed onto my student account by XXXX & XXXX XXXX. XXXX stated that I owed XXXX University {$6000.00} and that no additional fees were assessed. I told XXXX that XXXX knowingly, willfully, and deliberately lied to me about the additional fee and was using XXXX University as a scapegoat to force collection efforts on me and possibly other students. XXXX readily named XXXX as my S & S Recovery representative and stated that she was going to give her a call. XXXX stated that if needed, she would get additional contacts involved in an effort to remedy the situation. XXXX asked if she could call me back while she attempted to make contact with XXXX. At XXXX XXXX on said date, XXXX XXXX me back advising that she had spoken to XXXX XXXX extension XXXX. I am unaware of the contents of the conversation, but XXXX urged that I give XXXX a call at the aforementioned extension. I attempted to contact XXXX at XXXX thereby leaving a voicemail message, and again at XXXX without success. At XXXX XXXX, I called XXXX & XXXX XXXX at XXXX and left a message for XXXX XXXX a receptionist. At present, I have not received return correspondence from XXXX or any other representative of XXXX & XXXX XXXX. 

It is based upon reasonable belief as a retired law enforcement official that S & S Recovery is assessing unreasonable collection fees on XXXX XXXX  XXXX accounts under the fraudulent guise that such fees are late fees assessed by XXXX XXXX. S & S Recovery representatives are knowingly providing materially false and fabricated information to unsuspecting students who may not have the means to challenge the additional fees. It is highly unlikely that a reasonable and prudent person would believe that I am the only XXXX XXXX  student subject to such vile conduct by XXXX & XXXX XXXX. Based on my legal and law enforcement background, I hereby request that the CFPB conduct a full and thorough investigation on S & S Recovery collection activities with regard to my XXXX XXXX  student account, in addition to all other student accounts associated with XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation