Consumer complaint received 2022-11-29
Company: National Credit Systems,Inc.
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly
Sub-issue: Talked to a third-party about your debt

Complaint:
National Credit Services sent me a letter stating that my ex-landlord turned me over to them on a debt I was disputing with the landlord for the total amount of {$3100.00}. The initial " creditor '' was XXXX XXXX XXXX. They told me I needed to call or write them by XX/XX/2022 to dispute the debt. I sent National Credit Services a letter disputing the debt within the 30 day time allotted to me, on XX/XX/XXXX, via email to XXXX. They did not contact me again, but rather reported my debt to credit reporting agencies. I was first informed of it being reported to credit reporting agencies on XX/XX/2022. They were supposed to stop all collection activity until they had responded to my dispute. They never responded, but instead took action to negatively affect my credit. 

Below is a copy of the email I sent them : To Whom It May Concern, We dispute this debt in its entirety for the reasons shown below. 

Any charges related to the replacement of carpet, which underwent normal wear and tear for 5 1/2 years are fraudulent charges. The average useful life of carpet in a rental property is 5 years. We lived there for 5 1/2 years. It was time for them to replace the carpet any way and to try to charge us for their cost of doing business is fraudulent. We did no more damage to the carpet than normal wear and tear that anyone else would have done after almost six years of living in that residence. Further, XXXX always replaces the carpet after a tenant moves. We are not responsible for their costs of doing business. We deny any and all charges related to this. 

They had mentioned a hole in the ceiling. That hole in the ceiling was due to a leaky pipe in the walls of the apartment of which they were alerted multiple times but failed to adequately fix. Any charges related to that hole are not our responsibility but theirs. We deny any and all charges related to this. 

One other charge that sticks out in my mind is that we left behind a queen sized mattress, which yes, they had to move approximately 25 feet to the dumpster. For that " service '', they are attempting to charge us {$190.00}. That is exhorbitant and fraudulent to charge that. 

They provided no receipts for any of the supposed work that was done, nor a complete itemized list of supposed damages and charges for each item. Our {$200.00} deposit and {$200.00} pet deposit should have been more than enough to cover any minor cleaning or damages that needed to be remedied. 

I have never before had a rental company take more than a couple XXXX dollars out of my deposit for cleaning/damage prior to this and {$3100.00} is simply outrageous on top of the {$400.00} we already gave them. And considering that they tried to charge us {$190.00} to move a mattress 25 feet, I can only imagine that they have not only padded the charges, but raised them extortionately. I understand times are hard for everyone right now, but for XXXX to try to defraud and extort money from us that is their cost of doing business is reprehensible. 

I will fight this fully and should XXXX persist in this matter, I will look into and use all legal remedies available to me, including filing a case against them for fraud, should any damage be done to my credit report. Further, should you take part in any damage to me or my credit report, you will be included in any legal remedies that I seek. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX & XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation