Consumer complaint received 2018-08-29
Company: USCB, Inc.
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
I have attempted to contact this company-XXXX XXXX 4 times since XX/XX/XXXX to get this problem rectified. So far I have not received any information regarding my requests. I called once on XX/XX/XXXX and gave a lady my name and that I was interested in getting a debt settled. I was told I would receive a callback the following Monday. I never received a callback. I called a second time on XX/XX/2018. I was told by a gentleman that according to his records I owed XXXX {$6700.00}. I'm not sure where this amount comes from because the XXXX  credit report shows I only owe {$2900.00}. He explained that XXXX wanted to make deals with its debtors and that I could settle everything for a one time charge of approximately {$1200.00}. He said he could take my payment now. I told him I never received the bills, and before I were to make a payment, I would like to receive the terms of the settlement via e-mail or mail. I also explained to him I would like to receive information on the original bills/invoices including what I was being charged for. He verified my address, stated that this offer was good through a certain date, and that I would be receiving a packet in the mail in the next 5 days or so. Once I received the packet, to go ahead and call in to XXXX XXXX and they will take my payment. I waited about a week and a few days but still never received a packet in the mail. Frustrated, I called USCB back on XX/XX/2018 and spoke to a woman. She told me her maiden name was the same as my last name, " XXXX ''. She went through the same info the previous gentleman did, and asked if I wanted to settle this with a payment today. I explained the same situation as I had previously and told the lady I wanted to take care of this account for the settled amount, but need some sort of verification of the debt and copy of the terms first before I make a payment. She said that she is not sure why I didn't receive the first packet and that she sees the info in " her system ''. She said she was going to update the information. She was also going to update the validity dates of the offer and stated the settled amount of {$1200.00} was still available. We verified my address again and that a new packet was going to be going out in the mail on Monday. Oddly, a few days later I received a letter from XXXX XXXX  ( dated XX/XX/2018 ) stating that the three accounts that were in question ( I didn't even know there were three accounts in question ) were " settled in full '' and that the letter I received " released you from any further obligation with regard to the referenced amount. '' I didn't pay a dime to the company and they were settling my debt? What about my credit and the credit reporting? Again, I didn't receive a packet in the mail detailing the validity of the debt, an offer to settle, or any new terms regarding this account. I called back on XX/XX/2018 totally frustrated and upset at how I was being treated. The same lady answered the phone. She said the settlement letter I received about the accounts closed was " void '' and that all she could do is request that a new packet be sent out. I asked if she could e-mail it to me or send this info to me certified. She said no. She said the only information she could give out to me was that she ordered another packet and it will be placed in the mail on Monday. She basically blamed the mail service for me not receiving this information, despite my calls and follow-ups. She also went on to say that the company is not obligated to give discounts or settlements, so when I mentioned contacting the Federal Trade Commission or State 's Attorney, this kind of felt like a " bait and switch '' or a " punishment '' was going to be given to me if I were to seek other remedies. Almost retaliation for not receiving the proper service in the first place. All I want to do is to verify my debt, and will agree to pay the " settled '' amount that was agreed to. The actions of this company make me feel like they are using deceptive practices in order to get me to pay this account off. I am also thinking that there was no {$6700.00} in charges, that part or all of this has been fabricated. XXXX credit site only had a charge of {$2900.00} listed. Please assist me with these issues presented.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation