Consumer complaint received 2020-02-05
Company: I.Q. DATA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
State: AZ
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
Dear CFPB, We signed a lease at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( AZ ) in XXXX, AZ for ONE YEAR, beginning in XX/XX/XXXX. We then extended that lease another year, beginning XX/XX/XXXX. In early XXXX, I informed the front office that we were interested in extending this existing lease for 6 MONTHS ONLY, as we intended to begin house hunting. We did that, and we closed on a house in late XX/XX/XXXX. In XX/XX/XXXX, I reminded the property management office located on-site that we were going to be vacating the unit prior to the end of XXXX, which we had agreed to rent through. We paid for everything on time, through XX/XX/XXXX. 

I have documentation of all of this, including communications with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

A short while after moving out we got a bill from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for over {$2500.00} for TWO MONTHS OF RENT BEYOND XX/XX/XXXX!! This, despite the fact that in XXXX, we had agreed to a SIX-MONTH EXTENSION through XX/XX/XXXX ONLY, and never indicated we agreed to anything further ; there is no lease addendum that shows we did. We hold that this should have met the 60-day notice requirement to vacate. In any case, we were NOT month-to-month tenants ; we agreed only to two terms of 12-13 months, followed by one of approximately 6 months ( from XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/XXXX ). 

Upon receiving this unbelievable bill, I asked repeatedly, and tried repeatedly, to resolve this matter directly with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, but they never responded to me. I even suggested that we would pay for rental time 60 days from the date we REMINDED them of our intent to vacate by the end of XX/XX/XXXX, which means I was willing to settle the matter with them directly by paying about 1/2 month 's rent. I did not feel we owed them anything, but I was willing to honor the 60-day notice despite having specifically agreed to vacate the unit by end of XX/XX/XXXX ( we did, on or about XX/XX/XXXX ), and despite having given them notice of that many months earlier ( in XXXX ). 

I heard nothing from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Not a word. Not a phone call, letter, or e-mail, so I assumed they had reviewed the matter, and were satisfied. 

FIVE YEARS LATER, we got a collection notice from IQ DATA INTERNATIONAL , INC. in XXXX, WA, trying to collect the disputed amount. I disputed this debt right away by certified U.S. Mail ( delivered to them on XX/XX/XXXX ). I also disputed it with the credit reporting agencies, and once again with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( the property management company ). The collection activity was then removed from my credit reports, and I thought the matter was finally resolved. 

However, in a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX, IQ Data International , Inc. once again renewed their demands for payment, so I called them on XX/XX/XXXX ( the day after I received the letter ). I informed them that, in XX/XX/XXXX, I had provided them with all of the communications I had with the property management company regarding this matter, as well as a complete background on the situation. The account rep at IQ Data International , Inc. acknowledged they had received this material, but then stated that I hadn't provided " proper notice in writing '' to the property management company ( whatever that means -- I had given verbal notice well in advance, followed up by an e-mail on that matter ... I know of no " official form '' to put an end to a lease that was specifically for 6 months only in the first place -- the lease itself is its own " notice '' of termination, with the onus on us to extend or be forced to vacate, NOT to remind them that we only had a 6-month lease to begin with ). 

As soon I started explaining all this, the account rep then became very short with me. So I then asked for a physical address to which I could have the sheriff serve a legal CEASE & DESIST ORDER to IQ DATA INTERNATIONAL, INC., but the rep refused to give me a legal contact name or physical address, then HUNG UP! 

I called her back on her extension ( x XXXX ), and asked to speak to her manager, XXXX XXXX, at extension XXXX. I finally got through to Ms. XXXX, and she took less than 10 seconds to start lecturing me about being " rude '', though I had said practically nothing at all, then continued her incoherent, semi-literate tirade, and then HUNG UP ON ME AGAIN! 

So, I called her back at extension XXXX again, and asked if she was going to help resolve this or not, to which she said something to the effect of my attitude not being right, and that she was " just going to keep reporting this issue to my credit files '' with the credit reporting agencies. 

My credit score is consistently very high and good, and was XXXX at last check. I pay what I owe on time. The record will clearly show this. 

I want this stopped, once and for all. I want MEDIATION or something to resolve this matter ( in fact, I believe I asked for this previously ). If a competent third party judges that I should pay some amount to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, then I will do so immediately. But this credit collection agency, IQ DATA INTERNATIONAL , INC., is wasting my time, is impossible to deal with in dispute, and is harming my ability to get interest rates and financial opportunities in an extorting, highly unprofessional, and harassing manner. 

I am therefore filing the most strenuous complaint possible against IQ DATA INTERNATIONAL , INC., and would very much appreciate CFPB 's assistance in forcing them to cease and desist in their collection proceedings, and allow me and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX the opportunity to mediate this matter through a third-party, or otherwise settle this matter directly and finally. 

Thank you.

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