Consumer complaint received 2020-06-22
Company: Prince Parker & Associates
State: MI
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive notice of right to dispute

Complaint:
XX/XX/2020 Prince Parker and Associates XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, NC XXXX Re : XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX Sirs- A review of my credit report reveals a derogatory entry in the amount of {$170.00}. Please be advised of the following : 1. Your company is in violation of section 809 of the FDCPA. I have received no written communication from Prince Parker and Associates concerning this debt, specifically, I have not received a Dunning letter as required by law, and was not given the opportunity to refute this information as per the FDCPA. 
1. 809. Validation of debts ( a ) Notice of debt ; contents Within five days after the initial communication with a con- sumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing 1. ( 1 ) the amount of the debt ; 2. ( 2 ) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed ; 3. ( 3 ) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector ; 4. ( 4 ) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt col- lector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt col- lector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such 5. verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector ; and 6. ( 5 ) a statement that, upon the consumers written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. 
I received a letter from XXXX  in XX/XX/2020 and IMMEDIATELY reached out to the office of the president. I was advised that this debt was for another account, not my current one. I then reached out to a specialist via chat who informed me the this debt was from a previous address, that I hadnt lived at in 8 years. It should be noted that this letter came directly from XXXX  not Prince Parker and Associates. This letter indicated that I had received a final bill ( I had not ) and would receive information on how to return the equipment. This was the first and last communication I have received in this matter. 

2. Statute of Limitations ( SOL ) Additionally, this alleged debt would have to be greater than 7 years old as it would have been connected to a previous address. This exceeds the SOL of 6 years per State of Michigan and 7 years per the FCRA. Inserting a time-barred debt that is outside of the statute of limitations is a violation of both the FCRA and the FDCPA. 

3. Prince Parker & Associates reported and are continuing report incorrect and damaging information to third parties XXXX XXXX, XXXX  and/or XXXX  XXXX. The original furnisher of this information ( XXXX  ) had a responsibility to ensure that all notes and associated documentation as a result of my XX/XX/2020 phone call was appropriately reviewed. It did not and sent this account to collections inappropriately. Additionally, Prince Parker & Associates had a responsibility to verify information and communicate with me as required by law. The company by-passed all requirements and recorded inaccurate information on my credit report. As a result of these actions, my credit score and credit worthiness was adversely impacted with other creditors. This entry should be removed IMMEDIATELY. 

As per the FDCPA, I am entitled to {$1000.00} in damages due to these violations. This letter serves as official notice that suit is forthcoming. I will also file a complaint with the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau and you may expect to hear from them as well. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Michigan XXXX cc : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Office of the President CFPB

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation