Consumer complaint received 2017-07-05
Company: Diversified Consultants, Inc.
State: TN
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
In XXXX, XXXX I placed an order for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX Shipped a box to me with the equipment to use. On XXXX XXXX, XXXX, An XXXX XXXX XXXX installer came to my house on the day of the appointment. He told me that the signal in my neighborhood was so weak, that I would not be satisfied with the service. Based on his recommendation, I agreed for him to cancel the service before it was installed. He told me he cancelled it from his truck. On XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I returned the unopened box of XXXX XXXX XXXX equipment to the XXXX store as directed by the XXXX XXXX XXXX installer. The XXXX XXXX was never installed and I returned all of the XXXX XXXX XXXX equipment. 

On XXXX & XXXX, I received two bills from XXXX XXXX XXXX for this service. I called their customer service department each time. I explained the situation both times, and they advised me both times that they would credit my account, and I have a XXXX balance. However, I received a third bill, so I sent a certified letter to XXXX XXXX XXXX to their listed address on XXXX XXXX XXXX. I responded to them providing all documentation that the service was never installed, never used, and the unopened box of XXXX XXXX XXXX stuff was returned to XXXX XXXX XXXX via XXXX according to the instructions by the XXXX XXXX XXXX installer. Because the XXXX XXXX XXXX installer recommended that the XXXX XXXX XXXX order be cancelled, I ordered internet service from XXXX XXXX in XXXX, TN. Their service was installed in my house on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. According to FDCP, I disputed the debt and asked them to respond within 30 days. XXXX XXXX XXXX failed to respond. 
I did not hear from XXXX XXXX XXXX, but I was contacted by XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, NY XXXX Creditor XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Creditor Account # XXXX, XXXX Account # XXXX I wrote a letter of dispute to XXXX XXXX XXXX on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. Under the fair debt collection practices, I requested the following documentation : 1. I requested a signed agreement from XXXX XXXX XXXX that authorized them to collect on this alleged debt. 
2. I requested a signed agreement that bears my signature wherein I agreed to pay XXXX XXXX XXXX upon completion of the installation ( Note : the system was never installed ) 3. I requested an itemized complete charges and payment history on this account to prove that the debt amount is correct. 
4. I requested an affidavit from the installer verifying the system was never installed, and he cancelled the order while at my house. 
5. I requested audio files of each of my phone calls to XXXX XXXX XXXX contesting these charges since XXXX XXXX XXXX states that they record all of the telephone calls to customer service. 

I never heard from XXXX XXXX XXXX again. They failed to respond within the 30 day grace period. 

Then on XXXX XXXX, I was contacted by a different collection agency : Diversified Consultants, Inc. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX, Reference # XXXX, Creditor Account # XXXX I wrote a letter of dispute to them on XXXX XXXX, XXXX explaining the entire situation. I also requested the same documentation that I had requested form XXXX XXXX XXXX. They failed to respond to my request within 30 days. 
I did not have any communication with Diversified Consultants until the 3rd week of XXXX. They claimed that XXXX XXXX XXXX rejected my claim, but was offering a reduced settlement payment. I refused to pay for service I did not receive. 
I sent a letter certified mail - to both Diversified Consultants and XXXX XXXX XXXX advising them that they failed to respond to my letters requesting specific documentation validating their claim within 30 days of my request ; Each of them have demonstrated that they have been unable to validate the debt and therefore I consider this matter closed. This is the proper procedure according to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
I have sent both collection agencies copies of my bills for internet service from XXXX XXXX to show I am an internet user with a different company. 
I advised them that all further collection attempts must STOP. If they reported me to any credit reporting agency, they should inform them that this debt is not valid. I requested them to provide proper documentation to me of proof that they have done so. Furthermore, they should notify XXXX XXXX XXXX informing them this issue is resolved, and I have a XXXX balance. I am requesting a confirmation letter from them or XXXX XXXX XXXX confirming this matter is resolved and there will be no other attempts to collect by XXXX XXXX XXXX, them or some other collection agency, or through any legal proceedings. 
Yet, today I received another letter from Diversified Consultants after I demanded all collection activities must stop. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Failed to respond to my letter of dispute with-in 30 days. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX Failed to respond to my letter of dispute with-in 30 days. 

Diversified Consultants, Inc. Failed to respond to my letter of dispute with-in 30 days. 


According to the FDCPA, You can, within the first 30 days, demand that the collector validate the debt for you. That is, prove that there is a debt that you owe. If you send in a timely dispute, the debt collection agency must stop collecting the debt until they have provided that validation. 
If you send in a timely dispute, the debt collection agency must stop collecting the debt until they have provided that validation. Failing to do so, the debt collector violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief