Consumer complaint received 2021-06-26
Company: U.S. Collections West, Inc.
State: AZ
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I originally had a vet appointment scheduled for XX/XX/XXXX. I am a XXXX and I stayed home that day as this was a follow-up appointment for some additional treatments XXXX XXXX had suggested treating the lameness issue in my horse. 

The original call was scheduled for him to come out to do some x-rays, and contrary to my request, he encouraged me to forgo the x-rays and consider some alternative treatments instead. At the time, he was my main vet for my horse, and of course, I was trusting his advice and experience. 

The appointment scheduled was with a partner doctor who was going to administer a chiropractic treatment and an additional injection for my horse. I have never met this doctor before, I have never used any chiropractic through XXXX XXXX practice. 

I stayed home that day to make sure I was present for the appointment. We live on a property completely fenced with a security gate and keypad only access. We do not give the code to any visitors. We either open the gate remotely or drive up to the sensor to automatically open the gate. That way, we are aware of anybody entering or exiting the property. 

I ended up calling the office at the end of the day XX/XX/XXXX, because no one had shown for the appointment time. 

I was informed the vet had already been to the property to administer treatment to my horse without my presence or knowledge, and left. 

I immediately disputed it to the receptionist, because again I didnt understand how someone could access the property without my knowledge. I questioned if they had the right address because the previous appointment had to be rescheduled, because XXXX XXXX had shown up to the former address of the boarding facility we had boarded at. 

We had lived at our new address for nine months, and I gave the office my home address when I made the appointment. 

At that time, the receptionist understood all the information I had given and followed up with a few emails afterwards relaying the appointment mistake, but I never received another bill after that. 

I also ended up having to take my horse to another vet, another facility to proceed with the x-rays, and additional treatment due to the original lameness issue that was not resolved. 

Fast forward to XX/XX/XXXX. I received the bill dated XX/XX/XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. It was the only bill or contact I had received since the previous botched appointment. 
I called the office that day and spoke to XXXX. 

I explained the whole situation and even questioned how they accessed the property without my knowledge. Professionally, I cant believe that a vet, that I never met or knew of, would treat my horse for a lameness issue, without me being present. I couldnt tell you what the chiropractor looked like, his name, how long he was here, or who was with him. 

I have explained this many times. I would contact the office and be told someone would call me back. I had requested to speak to XXXX XXXX and have him call me back. None of this ever happened. After the fact, XXXX tried to tell me that XXXX XXXX wrote me an email personally, but the only emails I have are signed XXXX Veterinary. 

I find this disturbing that this vet practice expects me to pay for services I have no idea or can trust were given to my horse. The whole logistics issue of how someone accessed our secure property without my knowing doesnt make any sense. 
I have made several calls and contact, in a timely fashion, to the vet office regarding this issue. 

I have never spoken to XXXX XXXX directly, as XXXX told me he would call me back. I am disputing this invoice for valid reasons that the office can not explain. They have no proof that this treatment was given to my horse. I refuse to pay this invoice. I continue to receive monthly statements on this account. Yesterday, I received another statement for the month of XXXX. 

I demand that this item be removed from my collection report as its reporting in error and violating FDCPA. 

Any information to resolve this is much appreciated. 
Thank you, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation