Consumer complaint received 2019-02-28
Company: FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUTSOURCING, INC.
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUT XXXX Alleged Debt to XXXX XXXX XXXX   in XXXX Florida. I have uploaded my actual lease that expired XX/XX/XXXX. I gave 60 day notice and moved out the weekend prior to XX/XX/XXXX. The complex did not find that I owed any damages or fees. They do not allege any debt on my occupation of the unit in question. They claim that I signed a " mystery '' lease for that same apartment and that I never paid anything until they took possession on XX/XX/XXXX. I had been living in a one bedroom sublet in another county close to my work. I never received any bills or collection notices. 

The first I heard of this fraudulent debt was when I moved down to XXXX Florida in XX/XX/XXXX and tried to rent new apartment. I was declined due to an active collection for an alleged debt to XXXX XXXX equal to {$2700.00} and reported to credit bureaus XXXX of XXXX. The " collection '' company is listed as : Fair Collections & Out XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MD XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX I was admitted to a hospital in XX/XX/XXXX and was released the end of XX/XX/XXXX. That is when I relocated to XXXX XXXX FL. After the apartment that declined me informed me of these fraudulent credit reporting I contacted the the owners and managers of XXXX XXXX. The district manager claimed I somehow signed a new lease and never paid on it. Yet the charges they claim include {$50.00} to change the locks on XX/XX/XXXX. I contacted FCO and  they only wanted me to send {$1300.00} to close the case without any documentation supporting the fraudulent reporting of debt. 

Since then I have tried everything to remove this claim. Each time a complaint is filed with credit bureaus they wait until the very last day to report that the creditor verified the debt. Yet, they are never required to deliver any proof of the debt 's existence. Neither parties have ever attempted to answer the question of how I could be living in two places at the same time. 

The lease on my current Apartment ends XX/XX/XXXX. As of today I have not been able to gain approval for a new home. Giving FCO a time to respond is a waste of time since I have already provided the proof you need to order all three bureaus to rmove the collection. 

Last note. I would never have agreed to rent that apartment. I only had that large apartment as I took Family Leave and cared for my Father until he passed in that unit. I could not wait to get out of there because the memories of his passing and the grief I felt was debilitating and ultimately led to my Hospitalization. Also, the three bedrooms were needed for myself, my Dad, and a live-in caregiver hired to assist me with my Dad 's care. The complex sent nice flowers and thoughtful notes after he passed again proving the management team were intimately aware of the situation.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation