Consumer complaint received 2019-06-03
Company: I.Q. DATA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
State: OR
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Communication tactics
Sub-issue: Used obscene, profane, or other abusive language

Complaint:
XX/XX/2019. 

Consume Financial Protection Bureau To Whom It May Concern I thank you in advance for reviewing my complaint fairly. It is very distressing and disappointing that consumers do not have any agency to protect us from unfair and excessive charges from rental properties and no agency regulates or audits the charges of the utilities these properties provide. A tenant is always at loss as rental property use our credit score as a weapon to threaten us to send us to collection if we dispute any charge.

Step 1 : What is this complaint about? 
I would like to submit a claim against the collection company IQ Data International Inc., a company owned by XXXX XXXX XXXX for their deceptive and abusive acts and practices that used as modus operandi when interacting wit me on XX/XX/2019.  Debt to collect ~ {$1000.00}. Made me pay by using threats the same day ~ {$600.00} paid by credit card. Left ~ {$180.00} for disputed charges that are really not my responsibility. I paid the ~ {$600.00} because I was threatened to get my credit score affected for which I care and keep in good standing. Now, IQ Data International sends a letter saying I owe {$330.00} and who know for what. How the charges again lacking transparency went from ~ {$180.00} to {$330.00}?

Step 2 : What type of problem are you having? 
The collection agency IQ Data International Inc., promised to investigate the remaining of the charges ( deceptive act ) I was disputing but just send me the log of charges without any investigation. They scared me by saying my credit score would get greatly affected and made me pay in the moment part of the debt, even though I explained I was disputing the charges they needed to collect. They were verbally abusive on XX/XX/2019 and they deceptive tactics can be confirmed on XX/XX/2019 as both phone calls were recorded.

Step 3 : What happened?

I was disputing the origin of charges billed to me from XXXX XXXX in XXXX, OR, as these were not transparent and were excessive. I repeatedly asked to the manager of XXXX XXXX for clarification and when she did not want to show clear charges I contacted their corporate XXXX XXXX XXXX that as XXXX, were not able to show numbers to me to be able to calculate the charges and confirm that these were correct. The lack of transparency in the water/sewer/trash and prompted me to look for ways to have those charges audited or revised, as XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX just kept showing codes that are meaningless when I wanted to calculated the supposedly owed charges. 
They ordered me to pay the charges and threatened me to send me to collection if I continue asking for more clarification. 
I have proof that the charges are excessive, lack transparency and are random. 

Still, IQ Data was contracted by XXXX XXXX  to collect the debt of the disputed charges. Acct # XXXX IQ Data called me a second time on a late evening, after XXXX XXXX or so and as it was late I did not pick up but decided to call next day. The date and time of the call presented a mental burden. 
Still, as a responsible citizen and as a sign of good faith, I returned the call on Sunday XX/XX/19 at around XXXX XXXX and I was connected with Mr. XXXX XXXX, an IQ Data customer service. 
This agent was beyond disrespectful, using threatening language and talking me down for the debt he needed to collect, calling me names such irresponsible for not paying the charges even after I explained that I was disputing the charges. The phone call was recorded so it can be verified. I asked the agent several times to talk to me in a respectful manner in order to understand what he was saying. As he continued to be condescending towards me, I asked to talk to his supervisor for what he said he was not available. I said I would not continue talking to him and is when he brought his supervisor. The supervisor Mr. XXXX XXXX was not much better in his attitude for which the phone call was not fructiferous. I indeed was trying to be heard and to explain that the charges were disputed due to lack of transparency. 

As both agents I spoke to on XX/XX/2019 threatened me to send me to the bureau of credit for lack of payment, which would damage my credit score ( their words ), I called back on XX/XX/2019 trying to be heard about the unfair charges I was disputing. 

I was connected with XXXX XXXX, who even though at least was respectful he also used abusive practices to make me pay in the moment part of the charges I was disputing, otherwise I would be sent immediately to the black list of the bureau of credit. At one point I was connected with XXXX XXXX ( ID # XXXX or so I was given ), supervisor of Mr. XXXX to grant me a courtesy. Their deceptive practices to make me paid in the moment when in reality I wanted someone or a government agency to truly investigate the charges from XXXX XXXX and the unfair practice of commanding to pay charges lacking transparency OR be sent to a collection agency. 
IQ Data agents said that my offer to avoid negative consequences expired that day and that they were doing it as a courtesy to me. What could I do when I was being pushed and threatened to pay a debt in dispute when I care about my credit score?

These two agents asked me to send proof of the unfair charges to XXXX to be revised and start an investigation. I spent lots of time sending proofs, documents, speaking over the phone as my intention always has been to pay what is fair and transparent. 
Still, they lied to me and did not do anything but just send the log from XXXX XXXX. Sending a letter dates XX/XX/2019 (  attached ) and the same log with the charges lacking transparency, which was obtained by their employer XXXX XXXX does not constitute any investigation report. IQ Data International just made-up some story about investigating charges, making false statements.

Besides, while IQ Data was supposedly investigating interest for the debt has originated and now they are charging me even more for the remaining part of the disputed charges. I was NEVER told that interest would accrue while charges under investigation. 
I want to see their investigation report with the data of the origin if the charges from XXXX XXXX. Data=numbers which can be used to make calculation of the charges by my own. Any transparent business making transparent transaction is able to show numbers to the customer for the customer to make his/her own calculations and verify charges are correct. I have never been able to do this as XXXX XXXX  CAN NOT provide transparent information and supposedly IQ Data International was going to investigate but now I realize this is working FOR XXXX XXXX, so I must have expected this. 
I want to be heard and investigate the excessive, non-regulated, non-transparent charges for utilities water/sewer/trash, I was paying. 
IQ Data made false statements about opening an investigation which just resulted in sending me a log with charges obtained from XXXX XXXX. 
Can someone please hear me? 

Why as a good citizen with good records as a tenant, no history of missing payments, volunteering in different places has to go under this distressful situation and be threatened like a criminal for stepping up and disputing unfair charges that lack transparency? Is not my right to ask for transparency in charges I have to pay for? 

Step 4 : What company is this complaint about? 
IQ Data International Inc., a company owned by XXXX XXXX XXXX Step 5 : Who are the people involved? 

XXXX XXXX in XXXX, OR and its corporate XXXX XXXX XXXX.- charged me with excessive and dubious charges for water/trash/sewer and move-out cost. These were NEVER able to show clear numbers for me to be able to calculate by myself those charges and confirm their accuracy, as a result they send me to collection. 

IQ Data International Inc., a company owned by XXXX XXXX XXXX.- the collection agency that XXXX Apartments are using to recover the disputed charges instead of working with me and show transparency in their charges. 
XXXX .- The person making the claim for unfair treatment by IQ Data International Inc. , a company owned by XXXX XXXX XXXX ; agency that used deceptive and abusive acts. Phone calls were recorded by them, so these can be proved. 
I have faith that a government agency would help with this matter and finally have my voice heard. These abusive practice from renters are aggravating the homelessness issue nationwide because of the lack of regulation in their charges. PLEASE HELP US TO KEEP DIGNIFIED HOUSING! 
Thanks so much! 
XXXX

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