Consumer complaint received 2017-09-28
Company: ERC
State: IL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
In XXXX XXXX, we moved and cancelled cable and internet with XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX. They sent us a box and USPS return label for equipment. We currently have XXXX as our cable and internet provider in the new house and had no need for hardware from XXXX XXXX XXXX. We placed all items in the box and gave it to our mail carrier at the curb of our house. XXXX XXXX, XXXX we received a {$160.00} bill for equipment that was not received. We found it hard to believe, so we called. They confirmed receiving our first box but said a certain part was missing. After going through our moving boxes, I found that last piece of equipment. On XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, I went to XXXX and received a return receipt confirming that package was sent. After being accused of not sending everything, I was wise enough to do it in person and receive a receipt. ( see attached XXXX A {$160.00} was received XXXX XXXX, XXXX, now from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX now threatening that the balance would be reported to the credit bureaus if it was not satisfied. We called XXXX XXXX XXXX again. The operator confirmed that the paperwork is lagging, second box was received and account now shows XXXX BALANCE.  XXXX, another bill from XXXX XXXX XXXX arrived and my husband began receiving collection calls. He explained the story of the debt with XXXX XXXX XXXX. They asked what they could do to help, and he said to get the debt cleared as it should n't exist in the first place. My husband has literally spent hours on the phone with XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX trying to get this matter remedied. He asks for supervisors, is put on hold, given the same song and dance that it 'll be taken care of. Now this collection item is being reported to the credit bureaus. In XXXX XXXX, my husbands credit scores were all above 800. We have never missed a payment on any of the loans we have. No other negative information has EVER been reported against my husband. We assumed based on the collection agency 's threats, that this matter would be reported to the credit bureaus. They were not going to scare us into paying a debt that should not have existed in the first place. My husband just purchased a new car, for the first time in 12 years! We did n't like the idea of taking on a car payment, but he works so hard for our family and deserved it. Our youngest child started XXXX last week, so his daycare expenses that we do not have any longer have now become my husband 's car payment. We figured the collection item would cause a dip in his score. With the formulas for credit scorXXXX calculation being a complete secret, we had no idea the exact consequences. We were confident he would still meet the 720+ threshold for the best rate offered for the auto loan. The finance manager pulled my husband 's XXXX report to discover his XXXX XXXX is now XXXX due to this FALSE collection item. He was quoted 3.09 % for his auto loan, and we are instead paying 5.24 %. Because of a fraudulent item on his credit report. I have already filed a complaint with XXXX today. This matter must be resolved so that we can refinance this car. We have the money to satisfy the payment, but are being robbed out of over 2 % of interest. 

I filed this complaint originally against XXXX XXXX XXXX. They informed us that after my husband explained the situation, they returned the file back to XXXX XXXX XXXX. Now a second collection agency is being utilized to attempt to collect on this false balance. XXXX XXXX has not even attempted to call my husband and no new collection noticies have been mailed.They are reporting this on my husband 's credit report and have trashed his credit score and impacted personal finances, as stated above. 

XXXX XXXX responded that file has been returned to XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I received a collection notice from a THIRD collection agency ( ERC ) now attempting to collect on this bogus debt!! 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

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