Consumer complaint received 2021-09-15
Company: T.S. Holdings
State: PA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged

Complaint:
In XXXX, I received a bill from I.Q. Data International Inc. ( WA ) dated XXXX XXXX, 2021. The bill stated that I owed the company {$400.00} due to bills associated from moving out of my apartment, the XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( VA ) which is managed by XXXX XXXX ( CA ). 

I contacted I.Q. Data by telephone and explained that upon moving out of the apartment, the property manager refused inspection and would not take the keys due to covid. I told the manager that inspection is a tenant right and she told me I would be fine if I took photographs and kept receipts. I paid all rents due until the end of my lease, associated termination fees, and utilities/services for two-weeks beyond the move out date. However, because the manager never administratively accounted for the move with XXXX corporate headquarters, I continued to be billed being billed for utilities and services un-rendered. Multiple attempts to contact JXXXX XXXXy telephone, email, and the XXXX  were unanswered until the XXXX  closed the case, at which time XXXX  stated the debt was passed on. I explained that I was concerned that I was receiving a letter from a debt collection agency stating that I had been deliquent on a bill that I never received from XXXX I.Q. Data told me I could send them evidence to support my claim and they would dispute it with XXXX. I submitted photos documenting fresh paint, a threadbare carpet, receipts w/photos of new items that XXXX was also billing me for in addition to proof that I no longer resided in the state of Virginia. I requested that XXXX provide evidence otherwise showing that I had still resided there, items that were replaced, etc. The documents were sent via registered mail with a signature required through XXXX  XXXX which was received by the company at XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX  and signed for by an employee with the initials, XXXX. 

Since Data IQ 's receipt of my letter, the company continued to mail me bills. I called the company and explained that I had not received a reply to my letter requesting evidence. The company representative told me that the legal department decided that the bill would stand and that I needed to pay the {$400.00}. When I tried to explain, he said without further evidence from myself I had to pay or else the matter would be reported to the credit bureaus and effect my rating. 

After conferring with an attorney, I wrote I.Q. Data International another letter and sent it USPS registered with signature verification XXXXXXXX  The letter was received at XXXX on XXXX XXXX, 2021 and signed for by I Data. In the letter, I specifically stated I was seeking, " proof of debt in accordance with the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tennant Act and Third-Party Debt Collection Act. '' Once again, I.Q. Data did not respond to my request and upon checking my credit this week, I found that that my credit score went down hundreds of points due to this dispute. Until this point I had near perfect credit. I paid off a house, multiple cars, and all student loans. I was not however, giving in to my rights being violated by XXXX and then extorted for money afterwards. To the best of my understanding, under the FDCPA, debt validation is also a federal right and I appreciate your assistance on this matter. 

I understand this has been a lengthy letter, but feel the need to clear up my concerns about the apartment which led to this matter. I chose to keep this information separate as to not interfere with my compliant against I.Q. Data however, I feel the background is needed. Before I moved out, I learned that the apartment was ripping out all of the carpets and chipping/grinding tile to replacing them with vinyl flooring once tenants moved out. As a result of the debris and mess, apartments had to be completely repainted however, XXXX was unknowingly charging past tenants for carpet cleaning and touch up paint as part of their move out fees. When I asked the manager about it, she provided conditional answers that would have required an inspection. When I asked for one in accordance with the lease and Virginia Tennant right laws, she refused due to covid. Then when I went to turn in my key, she stated she also could not take it due to covid. A few weeks after moving out, I called the office because I had not received any final documents as I concerned they would in fact charge me for carpet cleaning whereas the carpet was actually but the woman who answered the phone thought I did not move out for another month and a half. After explaining the situation about the keys, she stated she would speak with the manager. A few weeks after that I received a bill for utilities for the month of XXXX when I had moved out a month prior. I attempted to contact the XXXX cooperate office by telephone, and sent them an email explaining the situation and violation of state law regarding tenant right to inspection and proof of debt however, the company did not respond and immediately reported me to a debt collector.. 

Thanks again for your time and assistance. Please let me know if you need any additional information or copies of the letter I sent to IQ data. I can also provide you with others this has happened to if need be.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation