Consumer complaint received 2021-09-09
Company: FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUTSOURCING, INC.
State: TN
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2019, FCO contacted me via telephone to advise that of debt owed ( {$180.00} ) to XXXX  XXXX XXXX. Since this was the initial notice of any debt owed to XXXX XXXX XXXX, I requested the representative to send me documentation to validate the debt and amount owed. At this time, I provided the FCO representative my mailing address, to send the documentation. 
A few weeks later on or about XX/XX/2019, I received a 1-page notice that stated that an outstanding balance ( {$180.00} ) was owed to XXXX XXXX XXXX with no details or any other proof to substantiate the debt. Although no specific details or proof were provided regarding the debt owed, in good faith, I decided to pay the debt. I was the guarantor for my daughters apartment at XXXX  XXXX XXXX while she was in in XXXX  and she had to move-out at the end of her lease in XXXX, due to an unforeseen XXXX and complications. Upon move-out, I contacted XXXX  to ensure that all outstanding debt was satisfied ; she had a XXXX-balance and the apartment was left in good condition upon move-out. 

Please be advised that I never received any notice from XXXX  XXXX of a balance owed until a FCO representative telephoned me in early XX/XX/2019. As previously stated, I was notified of the balance and upon notification, I requested documentation to substantiate the validity of the alleged debt owed. A few weeks later in late XX/XX/2019, I received a notice of the debt from FCO and immediately commenced payment on the debt. The first payment was remitted on in early XXXX and I continued to remit consistent payments. Due to my own unforeseen circumstances ( divorce ), I was unable to remit the outstanding balance in a lump sum payment. Hence, I remitted consistent bi-weekly payments until the balance was paid in full. 

Since I immediately commenced payment upon notification and continued to remit consistent payments, it was my understanding that the account would remain in good standing and not be subject to negative credit reporting. To my utter shock, I discovered in early XX/XX/2019 that the account had been reported to the credit bureau as a derogatory account. I immediately contacted FCO to inquire about the derogatory credit reporting and requested that the derogatory remark removed from my credit profile. I was advised that the derogatory reporting would not be removed because I did not remit payment or secure a formal payment plan upon initial notification of the debt owed; I had been notified previously of the debt owed in XX/XX/2019 but failed to mail payments. Per the representative, notices were mailed to addresses in XXXX, XXXX  - XXXX XXXX  ( I had not lived at this address in more than 3 years ) and XXXX, XXXX  ( I have never lived in XXXX ). I explained to the representative that i did not receive the previous notices ; they were mailed to a former address and unknown address. Thus, I could not dispute or pay a debt that I was not aware of.

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