Consumer complaint received 2018-08-22
Company: Transfinancial Companies, Inc
State: LA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
In XX/XX/XXXX I had an emergency XXXX at XXXX 's XXXX in XXXX XXXX. Started receiving and paying on multiple medical bills coming in. Started paying on the Main Hospital Bill and missed one payment, from installments set-up with XXXX 's XXXX billing department. I called to make a payment and was informed that the bill was sent to a Collections Company in XXXX XXXX. I was contacted after about 30 days as to where my bill was sent ; XXXX XXXX XXXX. I called one month to make a payment and was informed that my bill was moved again. Finally hearing from Transfinancial company, set-up payments. Unfortunately, almost year-to-date, I had the same XXXX again in XX/XX/XXXX. Again, I had more multiple bills, which I was paying on, and started paying on my second major bill in XX/XX/XXXX. Although, I was never late on this bill, it was also sent to Transfinancial XXXX. 

At this point I did research and found out that your bills could be sent to Collections at any given time. I called Transfinancial to now pay on both bills and was notified that my First XXXX Bill was in " another department. '' I explained to the lady that I had the same XXXX again, which is why I missed a couple of payments. I was then told that I was not able to pay on the first XXXX because it was sent to " another department '' and I had to call that department in order to make a payment. So I called the " other department '' and the voicemail stated to " leave your name, case number and reason for call '' and also stating to not call more than once and give them time to call you back. I NEVER heard back from the " other department '' and allowed this to go on for 3-4 months. I followed up with the Lady, XXXX, every time I would call to make a payment on my Second XXXX ; $ XXXX/mo ( but sometimes I would pay more if I could ). XXXX would always apologize and state that she would " relay the messages. '' In addition, all calls were stated that they were recorded and I am confident in my statements. Nonetheless, I would call to pay on my second XXXX ( which is why that final payoff is much lower at {$1900.00} ..receipts uploaded ) and still inquire about the first XXXX and not hearing from the " other department. '' Later Part XX/XX/XXXX my family was affected by the XXXX XXXX flood which even affected me even more financially. however, I made payments on my second XXXX, while never hearing from the " other department. '' Early part of XXXX I found the address and physically went to Transfinancial to try to rectify the situation. I was told by the lady that my first XXXX was in the Legal Department and that I had a lawsuit against me. I then explained to her that I have been trying to pay on the XXXX for almost a year now with no response from her department and that every call should be recorded in their system documenting my attempts. Because of my frustration she told me that I could set up a meeting with the Lawyer through email. I sent him an email and have the responses uploaded in the complaint. He never tried to meet with me and pretty much told me I was never trying to pay and to pay it. Because I have always had a great Credit Score and take pride in my financial affairs, I paid off both surgeries in XX/XX/XXXX ( receipts uploaded ) and also underwent Credit Repair Couseling because the Collections caused my Credit Score to drop to mid 600 's. 

The Surgeries were removed from my account but {$990.00} was applied to the first XXXX. Again, I went up to Transfinancial to inquire of the {$990.00} and was told it was " Court Fees. '' I told her that I was never served and she told me " it doesn't matter. '' I sought after legal advice and was advised to call the 'Clerk of Courts ' to see if I had any court dates or have ever been served. I called and was told that I am " no where in the system '' after explaining the situation. In my frustration an feeling helpless, I told my husband that at the beginning of XXXX I will pay the {$990.00} off with our tax return. 

I went to Transfinancial in the beginning of this year to pay off the {$990.00} balance and was told by the Lady that I couldn't pay on the {$990.00} because my balance was actually " much higher. '' I asked her to elaborate and she said " you actually have more legal and court fees that haven't been applied yet. '' After I left, I realized that I shouldn't have paid those legal fees because I was frustrated with the run-around. I was then advised to reach out to my Credit Bureaus and file a complaint. Having my Dispute rejected more than once, the XXXX representative said that ultimately the Collector had to remove the Collection ; despite the evidence of me paying XXXX XXXX XXXX and despite Transfinancial deceptively placing the {$990.00} on my report as if it's the remainder of my bill. hearing my frustrations, the XXXX Representatiove advised me to file a complaint with CFPB ... and that is where I now am in this process. 

There are multiple other complaints against this company and I feel that this needs to stop. I am not one to run from my financial responsibilities and this situation has been no different. Thank you so much for your time.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation