Consumer complaint received 2018-02-13
Company: The Outsource Group, Inc
State: VA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I believe this collection was placed on my XXXX credit file on XX/XX/XXXX in the amount of {$200.00}. I did not know about the negative entry on my file until on or around the end of XX/XX/XXXX when I sent ( via USPS ) a full validation request because I have never heard of this collection agency. I have never had any dealing with them, I have never received any mail from them ( until after my validation request ), I do not know or have I ever received any services from the listed original creditor and lastly, I do not have any contracts with either obligating me to any debt ( and to date they have not been able to provide any ). In addition all letters read as they are coming directly from the original creditor and re-direct you to contact them. ( ( See attached letters ).

I received two letters from this collection agency dated XX/XX/XXXX. ( Please note that we are in XX/XX/XXXX not XX/XX/XXXX ) and this is just a sloppy attempt to collect a debt and probably just revised form sent to me without a final quality control check ). One stating XXXX XXXX XXXX has conducted its own investigation and has determined the account is accurate and my responsibility. The other stating that an investigation between them and the original creditor is still ongoing. So which is it? How can one letter state that they have made a conclusion the debt is valid and the other state they are still investigating it. That makes no sense. That means they placed this erroneous and damaging information on my credit report before solely based on receiving misleading information from what source??? If they can provide proper validation in the reasonable amount of time I have given them ( 5 months ), then certainly I must assume they do not have any competent evidence or paperwork to substantiate this false claim. 

I received a 3rd and 4th letter ( separately ) once again stating they are still investigating the matter and another alleging they confirmed the debt but do not recall the dates because all of the letters are dated XX/XX/XXXX and I did not keep the envelopes they came in. 

I immediately followed-up with a second validation letter ( dated XX/XX/XXXX ) to inform them that they failed to validate the information and a request to explain the contradiction above. Since they saw fit to damage my credit, once again, they must have all of the proper information to collect any money from me. 

As stated in my validation letter, I have no recollection of receiving any services from the original creditor. In fact, I am very sure I have not. I do not live anywhere near the location of the original creditor so there would be no reason for me to render any services from them. 

To date I have not heard anything back from my 2nd request of validation, yet this information continues to damage my good credit.

I demand this agency cease collections immediate and remove this item from my credit if they can not validate the account properly.

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