Consumer complaint received 2022-05-24
Company: Renton Collections Inc.
State: WA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
My dad, who is not my biological father received care at XXXX XXXX in XXXX, WA. He has insurance but apparently not enough to cover his care. Myself and my sister ( not biological ) were told by XXXX XXXX to apply for XXXX to cover his care. Unfortunately, no one was able to legally have access to his finances to assist, not even my dad util recently. From the beginning, I did not agree verbally, written, or otherwise to be financially responsible for any bills for my dad. No family member ever assumed responsibility of any bills. The only thing I agreed to do was provided my address so that my dad can receive the bills in question, which can be sent to Dept. of Social & Health Service ; my dad was homeless prior to being incapacitated, therefore did not have an address prior to and after being discharged from XXXX XXXX. I received a bill from Renton Collections , Inc the evening of XX/XX/XXXX stating that I owe them {$13000.00}, which has XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX as the creditor. I called and left a message on the voicemail for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to refute this bill,. I made a police report due to medical insurance identity fraud. I was confused and disgusted with the actions related to the letter. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a call. At first I did not know it was the collection agency. XXXX XXXX spoke to me as if he wanted to talk about a bill related to XXXX XXXX, MD XXXX, XXXX, WA for my dad. He asked my to " verify my dads date of birth to verify the account ''. I provided the date of birth and then tells me " this is an attempt to collect a debt. '' I immediately tell XXXX XXXX that I am not financially responsible nor have I ever been for any bill nor did I take my dad anywhere for medical care. In a confused state, I call Renton Collections , Inc due letter I received and XXXX XXXX tells me, that he just spoke to me and I ask him why does XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX appear on this letter? I have no dealing with this clinic. XXXX XXXX tells me, " that was an error. '' I ask for the correct spelling of the creditor name so that I can dispute these claims related to this bill. XXXX XXXX also states, that the billing office of XXXX XXXX, " put you down as the responsible party. '' Again, I stated that this is not true I did not agree verbally or otherwise to be responsible ; therefore, and is medical insurance identity theft/fraud. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I called the billing office of XXXX XXXX twice to discuss this issue. The second phone call, I was on hold for XXXX minute then I was able to speak to someone, she said that she spoke to me and my sister previously. " I spoke to one sister who gave me an address because she asked for the bills to be mailed. She also said, " the other sister was incredibly rude and I sent the bills and no one got back to me. This bill is off the books so you'll have to call the debt collector so unfortunately, you'll have to call the debt collector. '' I told her that I was not the one was rude to her nor hung up on her at any point. Nor did I ever agree to be financially responsible for any bills. I also told her that the debt collector sent me a letter billing me with my name and address not my dad. I have a lot of documents to provide CFPB if necessary. A police report was made on XX/XX/XXXX, the billing office of XXXX XXXX was notified.

Company public response: Company believes complaint represents an opportunity for improvement to better serve consumers
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation