Consumer complaint received 2019-09-25
Company: National Credit Systems,Inc.
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I was first contacted by phone in XX/XX/XXXX by Collection Representative XXXX XXXX who is employed by National Credit Systems , Inc regarding an alleged debt of {$110.00} incurred by me in XX/XX/XXXX. Ms. XXXX would not provide specific information regarding the debt and I stated that I was disputing the debt. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, my father, XXXX XXXX, was contacted by cellular telephone and notified that National Credit Systems was attempting to contact me to collect a debt. 15 U.S.C. 1692c ( " a debt collector may not communicate, in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector. ). 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter from MsXXXX XXXX stating that " The above referenced account has been placed with this office for collection. National Credit Systems , Inc. has been authorized to recover this debt by way of credit bureau reporting ( following this initial 30 day validation period ) as well as other available remedies. '' I called Ms. XXXX and spoke with her on or about XX/XX/XXXX and informed her that I was disputing the debt. Ms. XXXX stated that I must do so in writing and that she would " remove the debt from my credit report. '' I informed her that the letter stated that the debt would not be reported to my credit until after the " initial 30 day validation period. '' She informed me that the letter ( sent by her ) was not correct and that the debt had already been reported negatively to my credit. 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. ). 

I informed Ms. XXXX that I would send written notification of my dispute of validity and did so on XX/XX/XXXX. 

On or about XX/XX/XXXX I received a letter signed " House Collector '' from National Credit Systems acknowledging my dispute but stating that they have " yet to find sufficient evidence to validate your claim ( s ). '' I then contacted National Credit Systems and spoke to my account representative -- I believe this was XXXX XXXX, but I am not positive. I informed the representative that I was willing to provide sworn testimony from multiple witnesses to support my claim that I did not owe {$110.00}. The representative said that only " documents '' could be used to support a claim. This is obviously false and misleading. 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. ). The account representative also informed me that my lease required me to conduct a " move out inspection. '' I reviewed the lease and it did not require me to conduct a " move out inspection. '' 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. ). 

On or about XX/XX/XXXX, I attempted to apply for an automobile finance loan. My credit score had been affected negatively by National Credit Systems negative report and I was not able to receive a competitive interest rate as a result. Ms. XXXX had previously stated that the negative report would be removed from my credit report. 

On or about XX/XX/XXXX, I called National Credit Systems to receive clarification and attempt to settle the debt. I reached a woman who described herself as a switchboard operator named " XXXX. '' I asked " XXXX '' if she could provide me information regarding who I can discuss settling my debt with. " XXXX '' stated that my account was handled by " XXXX '' and " XXXX. '' I explained my difficulty in receiving honest communication from XXXX and asked to speak with XXXX. " XXXX '' informed me that " XXXX '' was not in. I asked " XXXX '' for last names for XXXX and XXXX. XXXX informed me that she was unwilling to provide last names. I then asked why and she was unwilling to provide a reason. I asked for XXXX 's last name and she stated she was unwilling. See 15 U.S. Code 1692e ( A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. ). 

I was eventually able to reach the voicemail of XXXX, who later became known to me as XXXX XXXX. Mr. XXXX was described to me by a receptionist as being " in the office '' but possibly on break. On Thursday XX/XX/XXXX I left a message with my name, account number, and phone number and asked him to contact me to resolve the debt. Neither Mr. XXXX, nor any representative of National Credit Systems returned my call. 

On Friday XX/XX/XXXX I left a message with my name, account number, and phone number and asked him to contact me to resolve the debt. Neither Mr. XXXX, nor any representative of National Credit Systems returned my call. 

On Monday, XX/XX/XXXX, I left a message with my name, account number, and phone number and asked him to contact me to resolve the debt. Neither Mr. XXXX, nor any representative of National Credit Systems returned my call. 

On Tuesday XX/XX/XXXX, I left a message with my name, account number, and phone number and asked him to contact me to resolve the debt. I also was able to acquire Mr. XXXX 's e-mail address from a switchboard operator. She also informed me that Mr. XXXX was at work that day. I then sent an email to Mr. XXXX at XXXX. I explained to Mr. XXXX the reasons for my difficulties so far with National Credit Systems and concluded by writing : " I have been and am willing to settle the debt, but have thus far been unable to reach anyone with that authority and I have been met only with stonewalling, deception, falsehoods, and misleading statements. Because of this, National Credit Systems is putting me in the position of proceeding with administrative enforcement options through the Federal Trade Commissions Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and/or civil suit U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Due to the time and expense, I am willing to settle this matter. Please respond to this message by the end of business today, XX/XX/XXXX. I release you, XXXX XXXX, from any prohibition on contacting me by telephone at XXXX or e-mail at XXXX in regard to the above-referenced account number. '' Neither Mr. XXXX, nor any representative of National Credit Systems returned my call or my email. 

On today 's date, XX/XX/XXXX, I again called and left a message on Mr. XXXX 's voicemail. I have not received any response. 

As I stated to Mr. XXXX, I have been and am willing to settle the debt, but have thus far been unable to reach anyone with that authority and I have been met only with stonewalling, deception, falsehoods, and misleading statements. The debt is for a relatively minute amount and I have spent well more than {$110.00} worth of time in an attempt to resolve this alleged debt. 

However I believe it is necessary for people who are wronged to assert their rights. I am hoping you can help me resolve this issue before I resort to judicial remedies.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation