Consumer complaint received 2017-11-15
Company: Diversified Consultants, Inc.
State: NY
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I started using XXXX XXXX XXXX ) for internet service on XXXX XXXX. On XXXX of XXXX, I contacted the company to discontinue the service. I was told that my service could not be discontinued until my contract was over, which is contrary to federal laws that state that internet provider companies can not tie individuals to contracts longer than a year for internet services ; it is also contrary to what XXXX had said when I first started service. XXXX initially stated that after a year of service, the service would be run on a month-by-month basis. 

I contacted XXXX once again in XXXX and informed them that was discontinuing my service. I paid the amount due for the last month of service ( {$50.00} ) on XXXX XXXX, XXXX ( please refer to attachment # 1 ). I made this payment over the phone using the automated service, in which XXXX calculates the amount for the month. I returned the equipment to an authorized return center on XXXX XXXX, XXXX ( please refer to attachment # 2 ). On or around XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I called XXXX and verified that there were no additional charges. 

Soon after I had returned the equipment, paid the amount due in full and returned the equipment, XXXX started calling me for various reasons. I was told that my service was not terminated. On a different occasion, I was told that I owed money because the equipment had not been returned. Each time, the XXXX representative found mistakes on my account, apologized and said I did not owe any amount. On XXXX, I received another phone call from XXXX stating, once again that the equipment had not been returned. The XXXX representative opened my file and found that they had multiple files under my name and address, and that another file showed that the equipment had indeed been returned and received. 

Then on XXXX XXXX, the debt collecting company Diversified Consultant ( XXXX ) called me to collect {$90.00} on behalf of XXXX. I disputed the debt, and the Diversified Consultant informed me that XXXX would contact me within 48 hours. On XXXX XXXX, after a week of not hearing from XXXX, I called XXXX. I asked why I they claimed that I owed money, since the service had been terminated and the equipment returned, the representative claimed that the charges were prorated. I asked several times what charges were prorated, how and why. Each time, the XXXX representative defined what the term prorated means, but never explained how the charges were prorated in my case. I requested a copy of the bill and a detail of the charges. The XXXX representative said that, in violation of consumer protection laws and rights, they would not mail me a copy of the bill because I live outside of California. 

The same day, I called XXXX XXXX and requested a copy of the bill and the detail description of the charges. A letter from XXXX XXXX dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX, arrived the following week ( please refer to attachment # 3 ). The letter includes a statement from XXXX XXXX stating that the charges were valid. On page XXXX of the letter states that the charges correspond to services from XXXX XXXX, XXXX to XXXX XXXX, XXXX ( Three months after the services had been terminated ) ; the letter then contains a section titled Your new charges in detail. This section is left blank. In other words, there is no detail information of the charges, which by law I am entitled to receive. The following section describes several services provided by XXXX, none of which apply to me. 

On XXXX XXXX, I called XXXX XXXX at the phone number provided on the letter ( XXXX ). I talked to a representative who identified himself as XXXX XXXX. I explained that I had not received the detail description of the charges. XXXX XXXX said they do not have a description of the charges, and that what I received was all I was going to get. I explained to him that by law I am entitled to this description. He offered to verbally explain the charges, but refused to mail the detail description of the charges. 

The monthly charge for internet services was {$50.00} per month. The amount that XXXX claims, {$90.00}, does not match the monthly balance. To this date, I have not received any proof of the charges.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief