Consumer complaint received 2019-03-20
Company: The Receivable Management Services LLC
State: SC
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
ISSUE : I purchased an airplane ticket in XX/XX/XXXX through XXXX. XXXX XXXX charged my XXXX XXXX XXXX/XXXX credit card. XXXX is the merchant of record. In background I will detail below, I disputed the charge. 

In accordance with Federal Regulation Z, the case was settled in pre-arbitration in my favor. XXXX accepted full responsibility for the charge, as stated in the attached document from the pre-arbitration agreement. I am not responsible for the debt. 

Now, XXXX ( XXXX ) has Receivable Management Services ( RMS ), a debt collection company, to collect {$1100.00} from me even though XXXX assumed responsibility for this debt in pre-arbitration records. 

I only learned of the pre-arbitration agreement between XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX in the last few weeks. 


BACKGROUND : XX/XX/XXXX : I purchased a ticket through XXXX for a work purposes. I also purchased insurance that was described as covering work-related issues for cancellation. On the same day I notified my colleagues that purchased the insurance " if something unforeseen happens in the next two weeks. '' This is a indication of my understanding of the insurance as displayed at the time of purchase through XXXX. 

XX/XX/XXXX : The workshop I was attending as cancelled. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I attempted to work with XXXX to resolve this. I filed with the insurance. 

XX/XX/XXXX : My claim was denied. I was then told of the specific criteria for the insurance. This led me to believe that XXXX misled me with their cancellation and insurance policies. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I filed a dispute with XXXX XXXX XXXX/XXXX. I disputed the charge by XXXX under Federal Regulation Z. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I sent XXXX XXXX XXXX supporting documentation as requested. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I received a letter from XXXX XXXX XXXX that XXXX did not agree with the dispute and to send more evidence. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I sent a letter to XXXX XXXX XXXX arguing that this is an issue between XXXX ( the merchant of record ) and XXXX. 

XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX emailed me inquiring about the {$1100.00} dispute. Confused, I sent them what I provided XXXX XXXX XXXX/XXXX. However, I told them to talk with XXXX. 

XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX emailed again stating I was responsible for the charge. I emailed back stating otherwise and told them to talk with XXXX XXXX XXXX/XXXX. This email had a harsh tone. 

XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX emailed back threatening that the case will be " escalated to another department. '' XX/XX/XXXX : I received the letter from Receivable Management Services. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I spoke with XXXX XXXX XXXX and learned that XXXX has agree, after my second letter, to no longer engage in the arbitration process. I won the dispute and XXXX accepted responsibility for the {$1100.00}. I am no longer accountable for the charge. I asked for a letter stating this. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I met with an assistant bank manager at my local XXXX XXXX XXXX to acquire a letter. I was told it would take several days. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I called RMS to state that I was not responsible for the debt as it was settled between XXXX XXXX XXXX/XXXX and XXXX, the merchant of record. I told RMS that I was working on documents to support this. The person I spoke with, XXXX XXXX, to send that in, they would wait, and this would settle the situation. 
Upset, I then called XXXX XXXX XXXX to inquire of the status of the letter. I was told that it would not have any mention of the pre-arbitration agreement. I was told a dispute/charge back case worker would call me. 

XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX called me. I explained the situation. The case worker told me that requesting proof of the pre-arbitration agreement was unusual because Federal Regulation Z protect me from any entity coming after me for a debt that has been successfully disputed. The case worker did send me the second page of the pre-arbitration agreement showing XXXX accepting responsibility as the merchant of record. XXXX XXXX XXXX also explained that XXXX has no right to seek this debt. Please note that the full pre-arbitration agreement could not be provided due to the inclusion of bank routing numbers for me, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX bank, and XXXX. 

XX/XX/XXXX : RMS sent another letter, despite saying they would wait for my documentation. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I received the documentation from XXXX XXXX XXXX that I requested XX/XX/XXXX. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I emailed RMS as XXXX. In the email, I stated I am not responsible for the debt, the issue is between XXXX and XXXX ( XXXX ), and I am protected under Federal Regulation Z. I explained and attached the documents from XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

XX/XX/XXXX : I called RMS to notify them that I was evoking my rights under the consumer protects of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, sending them a cease and desist letter, and filing a complaint with CFPB.

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