Consumer complaint received 2022-04-05
Company: ProCollect, Inc.
State: TX
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive notice of right to dispute

Complaint:
I got a notification on my credit report on XX/XX/XXXX that I had a derogatory collection item for {$750.00}. This dropped my credit score by 43 points and shocked at the event I was unaware of any obligation I had for that amount. After doing some digging, I observed a company by the name of ProCollect Inc and began placing calls in regards to the event. They informed me that it was for an apartment that I had in Illinois to which I responded that I never lived in Illinois. After calling the apartment, I came to find out that I was a guarantor on an apartment in XXXX, which I totally forgot about signing and needed documentation proving that I signed something. The XXXX of the apartment complex stated all records had been forwarded to ProCollect for collection. After calling ProCollect on that same day, I asked the collector two questions : 1 ) to provide me proof that I was a signer on a lease and 2 ) why didnt they contact me to let me know this obligation existed. After responding to the first question stating they have me on the lease, I asked for them to read out the date that I signed a lease because I was pretty sure I had not signed a lease. They could not do so. So I then asked them to send me something showing that I owed them and they stated they needed to contact the apartment XXXX to get the documentation because their records werent complete. I promptly asked how do you have my social in order to file a derogatory event on my report then. They basically said to give them 5 days to provide me with that documentation. To the second question of why didnt contact me, they stated they didnt have the right information to do so. To which I responded, but you can file a derogatory remark on my credit report without even giving me a chance to deal with it, how is that fair. Since the rep decided to become coarse with me stating she would get me the documentation, but it was not available to her to respond to my contact inquiry, I suggested that their practices were unfair and they had caused damage to me in terms of creating a remark that would last XXXX years. I asked her how would she feel if she were in my shoes as I have worked really hard to repair and maintain my credit. At this point she became non responsive and just stated to give them some time to contact the apartment complex for the documentation. 

I called the apartment complex back and asked them why they never contacted me directly and they stated we reached out to your daughter. Again, I responded, but you didnt contact me and now this is affecting my financial status in a way I never got a chance to respond to. The XXXX then stated that I was a guarantor, so I was obligated. To which I responded you guys never gave me a chance to do so directly. Its unfortunate my daughter was unaware she needed to close a loop with me because she had moved on thinking her pet deposit made her whole. But, the right thing to do is to contact the person you are asking to pay directly without making assumptions. 

After almost XXXX weeks I called ProCollect back to check the status of the documentation to which they responded they would get it to me shortly. They claim they never told me they would get it to me in 5 days, but reminded them that they claimed I would have to respond to them within 30 days so I was getting nervous about being put in a compromising situation since I had nothing. Well I finally received the information and come to find out they had my contact info the whole time but never made an attempt to call me on the numbers I listed. 

So I feel they are using unfair practices and that brought me to this site. Which clearly states that they are obligated to make contact with me before filing a derogatory remark on my credit report.

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