Consumer complaint received 2019-02-19
Company: Stuart-Lippman and Associates, Inc
State: SC
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Auto debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I am disputing being held liable for an accident that I did not contribute to on XX/XX/XXXX. I was in an accident with the other party on XX/XX/XXXX. Per the police report, I contact the insurance company to inquire about getting an estimate for my vehicle to be repaired. At that time, I offer to send pictures of the accident. The insurance company stated they had pictures of the accident but if I wanted to send additional pictures I could. The police report stated that I did not contribute to the collision and the other party did contribute to the collision. It was stated to me that XXXX XXXX did not accept any responsibility for the accident. At that time, I did not have insurance. My license has been suspended because the Department of Motor Vehicle mailed the appeal letter to the incorrect address. I have spoken to representatives from XXXX XXXX Claims and Stuart, Lippman and Associates , Inc. ( collection agency representing the insurance company ) who have all been uncooperative on some level in handling this claim. They have misrepresented this claim. My complaint is that I am not liable for this accident which is the reason Stuart, Lippman and Associates is representing XXXX XXXX XXXX. I should be held liable for an accident I did not contribute to this accident. I have been required by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle to have the following : 1. add XXXX to my insurance, 2. pay a fee to the DMV and 3. compete a release of liability form. The insurance company had pictures of the accident and the police report which it did not share with the collection agency. I am attempting to get my license reinstated and have to meet all three requirements. They have based their decision of who is liability based on their own reasoning. The determining liability should remain with the officers at the seen who submitted the police report. This claim as not been handle with professionalism. This has noting to with the fact that I did not have insurance but that XXXX XXXX XXXX company does not want to accept responsible for an accident their client was liable. The collection agency has mishandle the claim by withholding information ( for example compliance information ), they would not provide complete and and contact information for their employees ( for example the compliance officer 's and general manager 's names along with their contact information ) when I requested them, they did not disclose at all times who I was communicating with ( for example I started a conversation with one person who placed me on hold then another employee came by to the phone and did not identify themselves to me ) and not being honest about information that they did, not have or have access to obtain. I will continue to maintain my innocence in this matter from the date of the accident. I have all dates, times and names of the individual I have spoken with since XX/XX/XXXX and can provide them if necessary. This has been a major inconvenience to me having to be transported to and from places ( for example work ) that I need to be and times I need to be there. I was unable to get an estimate for the repairs to my vehicle. The insurance company 's decision to hold me liable was unjustly bias and the collection practices are discriminatory at best. I did not receive return phone calls once I requested them from the compliance officer and general manager. I am still waiting to receive a return phone call from the general manager from XX/XX/XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation