Consumer complaint received 2018-02-02
Company: PORTFOLIO RECOVERY ASSOCIATES INC
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
After reviewing an ad on one of those weekly newspaper circulation in XX/XX/XXXX about XXXX XXXX XXXX, I decided to visit the company XXXX XXXX to participate in a trial consultation. The advertisement said permanent but forgot to mention that this applies to XXXX XXXX ( ONLY ) which is what I found out during the ONE and ONLY Visit ( consultation ). 
After smelling like a burnt rat for a couple of hours and discomfort for a couple days. 
I was told by the technician that it would get better after a couple visits. 
After considerable reflection on the Pros and Cons of getting the hair removal, the smell of burnt hair and the pain associated with the treatment, I decided to cancel the contract. 

I was told it would be at NO COST if cancelation was completed within 30 days. 

I personally when back to the XXXX XXXX XXXX and cancelled the treatment they check the system and said it's completed and I will receive a letter in the mail indicating my withdrawal ( cancelation ). 

What came in the mail after the 30 days was a bill for the full amount {$2500.00} I called the number on the bill in an attempt to cancel and I was told that it was too late even though the services and/or treatment was never used, the so called plan was expired in XX/XX/XXXX and by then XXXX /XXXX XXXX  had accrued interest for a total of {$370.00} bringing the bill to a Grand Total of {$2700.00} Since then XXXX  /IXXXX XXXX has changed employees and even though there system still shows that NO Billable Services used or funds debited against this account from inception, they sold the debt to another company by the name of Portfolio Recovery who continues to call every single day since, in an attempt to collect. 

I have tried disputing this charge several times but the phone calls continues. 

My credit is now ruined as a result and it's now difficult to retain a decent interest rate of anything I procure. 
This is unfair and I believe someone should really take a serious look at XXXX XXXX and there reporting practices since they are at an advantage on the rules and regulations with regards to Credit & Fico Scores versus an individual. 

Who gave XXXX  and/or these conglomerates the right to report without the facts being correctly censored. 

This is now affecting my life and the livelihood of my family. 

I refuse to pay because I have NOT used these services yet I am the one being punished by high interest rates and a derogatory credit. 

My question to XXXX XXXX  is where is the {$2500.00} because the cash was never given to me, nor was it used by me as intended? 

XXXX XXXX  principal responsibility should be to return the funds back to XXXX XXXX  as unapplied cash. Why isnt XXXX XXXX not going after XXXX XXXX for there money. 

The default and derogatory credit should have been placed on Ideal Image and/or there account NOT on me, because I never used the services, as I withdrew from the treatment prior to the 30 day window. 

Thank you very much for providing a forum for complaints, not sure what you can do but I am thankful for the support.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation