Consumer complaint received 2019-10-16
Company: I.Q. DATA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
I have resided at my current apartment complex since XX/XX/XXXX. I have always paid my utilities and rent on time. In XXXX, in compliance with Florida law, I provided the apartment complex, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( managed by XXXX XXXX XXXX at the time ), a notice of intent to vacate the unit as I was moving to another unit within the same apartment complex at the end of the month. After vacating the premises, I did not receive any notice of any intent to impose a claim against my {$500.00} security deposit. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received notice that the XXXX had been sold to XXXX XXXX, also known as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Nevertheless, I persisted in inquiring as to when I would receive my security deposit for my old apartment given that they had not indicated there were any damages within the unit. On XX/XX/XXXX, I emailed XXXX XXXX XXXX as they had not sent notice as required by Fla. Stat. 83.49 ( 3 ) ( a ) of their intention to impose a claim for damages upon my security deposit. Given that I still reside within the apartment complex, they have always had knowledge of my residence and could have easily provided the required notice via email or mail. After ignoring my emails, I took time off work and went to the leasing office. The Assistant Manager agreed that the XXXX XXXX XXXX had failed to comply with Florida law and as a result, I was entitled to the full amount of my security deposit. In addition, I was informed that nothing was wrong with the prior unit and that the only fees I owed were the last water bill. Moreover, the assistant manager informed me that I could expect to receive my full security deposit within a couple of weeks. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received two calls from an unknown number. Since the number failed to leave a voicemail, I did not return the call as I assumed it was a scam caller/robo call. However, at around XXXX XXXX my mother called me in a panic. My terrified mom stated that she had been contacted by a debt collection agency who stated that the matter was in relation to her daughter. My mom asked them to provide more information and they stated they were a debt collection agency who knows everything about me and that she needed to inform me to contact them immediately. At around XXXX XXXX, I contacted the debt collection agency, IQ Data. I was transferred to an agent, XXXX XXXX. She then proceeded to inform me that XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, had sent me to a debt collection agency. I responded that that was impossible in light of my conversation with the assistant manager on XX/XX/XXXX. The debt collector responded that they had received documents from the XXXX indicating that I owed a sum of {$1600.00} -- well over the security deposit amount that I have yet to receive. I asked the debt collector to email me the documents and provided my email address. Despite taking my email address, the debt collection agency has yet to email this documentation. But more importantly, I asked the debt collector to explain the ledger as well as explain how I could possibly owe this sum of money. She stated that XXXX XXXX XXXX sent her my move in agreement as well as my move-out inspection form, thus implying that the fee owed was for damage to the prior unit. Given that the assistant manager informed me that the prior unit was left in great condition, I informed the debt collector that this was simply impossible. The debt collector then informed me that I needed to address this issue with my apartment complex and that they can put my account on a " 24 hour hold '' where I would not be facing interest charges. I explained that I am traveling for work on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX and do not have the time to contact the office within this time frame. They then responded that my mom could call them back to address this issue, despite earlier refusing to provide my mother with any information. The debt collector, XXXX, as well as her manager, ordered that I return their call within 24 hours. The debt collector additionally explained that I have until the end of XXXX to make this payment, otherwise it would negatively impact my credit score. The debt collector made this claim despite the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act requiring the debt collector  to send me notice of the amount owed and an explanation of how this amount was reached. Moreover, the debt collector failed to inform me that I would have 30 days from the receipt of the notice to dispute the debt. On XX/XX/XXXX, I took time off work yet again to go to the leasing office and demand an explanation. I was then informed that this situation had happened to another resident the day before. I was also shown my ledger, which shows that I only owe a water bill payment ( which I have yet to receive a bill of ). In addition, the ledger establishes that XXXX XXXX XXXX owes me the sum of {$500.00} and that I do not owe them any fees. The manager of the property additionally informed me that they had contacted the debt collector in regard to the matter the night before, yet the debt collector failed to acknowledge this when I called them again at XXXX XXXX Not only did this debt collection agency harass me and my mother, they also fraudulently represented the documents that they had received from the XXXX. According to the management at XXXX XXXX XXXX, not only is it unknown where this sum of {$1600.00} came from, they also never sent my move-out inspection form to the agency. This debt collection agency, IQ Data, must be held accountable, otherwise this behavior will continue to occur as I am not the first individual to face this distressing situation.

Company public response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief