Consumer complaint received 2021-10-19
Company: CAINE & WEINER COMPANY, INC.
State: NY
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
Caine & Weiner CW Acct # XXXX Amt : {$530.00} To Whom It May Concern : This unverified account is reporting negative, inaccurate, and inconsistent information to XXXX and XXXX. This debt does not belong to me, I do not owe this company and have no contractual obligation to pay them. I have tried on several different occasions over the years to dispute this account directly with Caine & Weiner, as well as with the credit bureaus. No suitable resolution has been made. This negative information is unfairly hurting my credit score and directly impacting my ability to take care of my family and reach my financial goals. I believe this account is being reported unfairly due to the following reasons : Failed to properly verify the debt. 
- On XX/XX/XXXX I disputed this account via XXXX online dispute system and on XX/XX/XXXX the investigation was completed and this account came back VERIFIED. 
-On XX/XX/XXXX I disputed this account via the XXXX phone dispute option and on XX/XX/XXXX the investigation was completed and this account came back as VERIFIED -Caine & Weiner sends me a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX stating that verification of the debt is attached. It is simply a photocopy of a bill that I could make on my laptop. There is no signature, no supporting documentation or contract from the original creditor, no paperworking indicating they purchased and have ownership of this collection account, or that I am contractually bound to pay them. They also failed to verify if they can legally collect. In XXXX, NY debt collection agencies are required to obtain a license to conduct collection activities. 

Discrepancies : -They are trying to collect the amount of {$530.00}, yet their " verification of the debt '' is a photocopy of a bill in the amount of {$580.00}. 
-As of today, XX/XX/XXXX, what is being reported to XXXX is that the account is seriously past due and there is an outstanding balance of {$530.00}. This was last updated by Caine & Weiner on XX/XX/XXXX. Although I have paid them no money, they are reporting to XXXX that the account has a XXXX balance and is paid in full. This information was last updated on XX/XX/XXXX. 

How are these accounts coming back as verified without proper documentation and outdated/differing information? This shows me that the credit reporting agencies are not doing their due diligence and investigation disputes properly. This is unfair damaging to the consumer. 

Out of frustration, I emailed them via their website on XX/XX/XXXX stating that I am not accepting responsibility or liability for this debt, but I am willing to pay them SOMETHING if they will just delete this off my report and I wanted it in writing. I wanted to be done with this headache and move on. But they were unwilling to budge. They want a lump sum payment of the full balance and in return will make a " courtesy '' deletion. How absurd! Full payment on a debt that isn't valid or accurate? 

Maybe it's true that the nice guys finish last because I tried to work with the credit bureaus and with Caine & Weiner on this, but I am at my wit 's end! To my understanding, it is illegal for a company to report unverified, inconsistent and inaccurate information. I am turning to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to bring me a just resolution to this matter and for Caine & Weiner to cease its illegal collection activities and rectify this matter immediately. Supporting documentation is attached to this submission.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation