Consumer complaint received 2017-07-08
Company: ProCollect, Inc.
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
Back in XXXX of 2014 I moved out of my apartment at XXXX XXXX in XXXX Ga. About 2 weeks later I received an eviction notice through the mail at my new residence which I found very odd. When I arrived at court house on the court date, the clerk informed me that XXXX XXXX had dropped the case because they received the keys a week earlier. This also struck me as odd because I left the keys in the drop box in an envelope with my name and unit number on the front as I was instructed. Fast forward a few months later and Pro Collect is sending me a bill for {$1800.00}. When I disputed the account they sent over copies of the eviction notice and other documents to validate the account. The date the eviction was served the apartment had been vacated for 2 weeks. The letter also stated that I moved out without proper notice. So according to XXXX XXXX I moved out and was evicted simultaneously! But I gave them both verbal & written notice. <P/>After explaining the various issues I had with the property, ( including not removing the person who broke into my apartment because he was not on any lease, and the XXXX / eggs that were thrown on my vehicle on multiple occasions, and the XXXX that was rubbed all over the bathroom walls at the pool ), the manager on site became very agitated and told me that it was not part of her job description to handle those things. <P/>Three weeks later I noticed that my rent payment had not cleared so I called the front office and I was told that the check had bounced due to insufficient funds and I would have to pay a {$50.00} return check fee ( there is a sign in the office that says the return check fee is {$35.00} ). When I called my bank they assured me that the check had never even been processed. They also advised me not to pay the return check fee until I got the check back. <P/>I then made a phone call to XXXX XXXX and spoke to a guy named XXXX who told me he would resolve the matter. Minutes later he called back and told me he spoke with the manager on site and that my check was ready. When I went to the front office the manager told me the check was not there, that it would come through the mail. After arguing with her for 5 minutes or so, she opens a drawer and pulls my check out. The manager on site lied straight to my face and showed her true character. I returned to the bank and got a cashiers check and paid they rent that way so there was no more confusion. <P/>I was completely moved out of the apartment on XXXX XXXX, 2014 and have documentation to prove this. I was instructed to leave the apartment key in an envelope with my name and apartment number in the drop box which I did. Weeks later I received an eviction notice in the mail. When I went to the court house on the court date, the clerk told me that XXXX dropped the case. This was done deliberately to make it look like I was evicted instead of moving out. Since living at XXXX XXXX I have had to deal with shady managers that make up their own rules. When I moved into the apartment I was told the security deposit was {$250.00}. Shortly after moving in I received a notice from the then manager XXXX, that I owed an additional {$100.00} because the deposit was {$350.00} and not {$250.00}. I called XXXX XXXX and they confirmed that the deposit was {$250.00} so apparently the manager XXXX was scheming an extra {$100.00} off new tenants. <P/>So I was told the security deposit was {$350.00} instead of {$250.00}, then the return check fee was {$50.00} instead of {$35.00}, on top of being told that my check bounced when it was never even processed. This is very unprofessional of XXXX XXXX and reflects badly on XXXX XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation