Consumer complaint received 2019-03-08
Company: Associated Credit Services, Inc.
State: AZ
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged

Complaint:
XX/XX/XXXX Dear Sir or Madame, I am requesting guidance on how to hold a collection agency and two billing companies accountable for damaging my credit score by purposefully and maliciously, submitting a debt I did not owe to the credit bureaus as a charge -off. This was done knowingly during my protected dispute period., as I was trying to get documentation to resolve the issue. Here are the facts : 1 ) I received a bill from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, P.O. Box XXXX, XXXX, PA XXXX for {$250.00} for services rendered for an in-network procedure completed in XX/XX/XXXX. 
2 ) I called them to request more documentation as I should not have had a balance after my co-pay, as my deductible was met. They said they had no records and to contact XXXX at XXXX XXXX  At XXXX. XXXX said he could not help as he had no records as the billing company was sold. 
2 ) I then disputed the debt in writing within 14 days of receipt of the bill requesting further documentation. I received none. ( I have written to all parties every 30-days to support my obligation under the law. ) 3 ) I called XXXX XXXX  my health insurance carrier and they told XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to put collections on hold, because it was in the process of being paid by the carrier. XXXX XXXX XXXX ignored this and referred the alleged debt to Associated Credit Services , Inc., P.O. Box XXXX, XXXX, MA XXXX. I immediately sent a written dispute which is included. 
4 ) Along with that dispute I included a check for {$26.00} as a good faith payment only toward any balance documented in the meantime. This was done to show good faith to prevent the matter from going into collections. 
5 ) They cashed my check and did not respond in writing or by phone as requested. 
6 ) Today, I called XXXX and spoke with XXXX who reported that I was mistakenly balance-billed and never owed anything other than the co-pay I made at the time of service. 
7 ) XXXX can be contacted at XXXX option # 2, referencing interaction number XXXX and she could document that there never was a debt. I explained this to all parties and provided her contact information. It was ignored and not pursued. 
8 ) Today XX/XX/XXXX, I called Associated Credit Services , Inc. and reached XXXX XXXX who reported the could not remove the charge-off collection from any of the credit bureaus. I asked why they pursued it during my dispute period within which I had disputed it in writing. He said they never received a letter which is false, as they cashed my check. 
9 ) The false entry to the credit bureaus has caused me damage because they were illegally made during the protected dispute period, violating my federal rights. My credit score dropped XXXX points 10 ) This had an effect on interest rates on current debts and constricted my access to credit based on my previously XXXX score. 
These companies have recklessly and wantonly trampled on my Federal rights and must be held responsible. 
Respectfully,

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