Consumer complaint received 2022-12-29
Company: Midwest Service Bureau, Inc.
State: KS
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Communication tactics
Sub-issue: Used obscene, profane, or other abusive language

Complaint:
I received a phone call from XXXX XXXX with Midwest Services Bureau in XXXXXXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2022. She called my work number, XXXX because she claimed she called my cell phone of XXXX. I had no missed calls and her number does not show up on my call log with my cell phone company, I checked. I explained to her that I was at work and please do not call the number again and that I would call her from my cell either during break or after I got off work. She got defensive that second I told her that I had no missed calls and continued to have that very rude attitude. She wanted an exact time of when I would call her back. I told her that I had no idea of when I would get a break. I don't work in an environment that will allow me to take breaks at specific times. She instantly got rude, raised her voice and stated that she would note the account that I had no intention of taking care of it. I, in turn, got defensive because at NO time during the conversation did I state that. And I asked her directly if that was what I said. She repeated it several times, that she would note that account that I had no intention of taking care of it. I think asked her name because I wanted to make sure and document that she was in fact lying because I never said those words. She ended up hanging up on me shortly after. 

I then called her back because at this point, I wanted it noted that I had in fact not stated that. She refused to speak to me until I confirmed my date of birth, and in fact yelled at me that she would not even discuss anything with me until then, which she definitely didn't ask for XXXX the first time she was rude and lied about what I said. I did curse one time at this point because I was frustrated that she was yelling, I couldn't get a word in and she refused to talk to me even though she was stating I had no intention of taking care of it. I told her I had literally just received their letter either Thursday, the XXXX of XXXX or Tuesday, XX/XX/XXXX and that I was unsure if I did in fact owe all of that as I had had issues with XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX in the past. Therefore, I hadn't even had a chance to dispute so I could go through EOBs. I then told her that I was pretty sure I had 30 days after the date on their letter to file a WRITTEN dispute letter. She was still yelling and said " Are you disputing it? '' I again, stated that it was to be in writing. She continued to yell and wanted me to confirm I was disputing it. I did state yes, I was disputing it as I wanted time to go through my EOBs. 

I have never had someone who should be in a position to assist others to speak to me in such a rude way. Yelling, lying, etc. at individuals on the phone is certainly not going to achieve the desired result they are looking for, which is resolving a debt for their clients. In fact, due to the way she spoke with me, I will likely bypass her and this company completely and if this is a legit debt, pay the debtor themselves directly. 

There are multiple, MULTIPLE 1 star reviews of this company online. Almost every one of them discuss how rude and unprofessional this company and their representatives are. I wouldn't say she used any obscene language but very abusive for sure ; yelling, demanding I say certain things, etc. I will not tolerate that from any individual, especially not one who has no idea if it's even a valid debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation