Consumer complaint received 2020-06-04
Company: Cedars Business Services, LLC
State: HI
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official

Complaint:
Illegal attempt by Cedars Business Services to collect a fraudulent debt of {$1200.00} on behalf of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. There are unscrupulous businesses that are trying to scam innocent law-abiding citizens during these difficult times, and we need to prevent others from being scammed. 

On XX/XX/20, I received a letter dated XX/XX/20 from Cedars Business Services stating " Your account has been placed in our office for collections. If paid in full or if payment arrangements are made with our office, all collection activity will be stopped. The amount referenced is seriously past due. We would like to hear from you regarding how you intend to resolve the outstanding balance. Unless you notify this office within 30 days after receiving this notice that you dispute the validity of this debt, or any portion thereof, this office will assume this debt is valid. If you notify this office in writing within 30 days from receiving this notice that you dispute the validity of this debt, or any portion thereof, this office will obtain verification of the debt or obtain a copy of the judgment and mail you a copy of such judgment or verification. If you request of this office in writing within 30 days after receiving this notice this office will provide you with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. '' ACCOUNT SUMMARY Our file # :XXXX Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX   Creditor Account # : XXXX Principal : {$1200.00} Interest : {$0.00} Fee : {$0.00} Legal Fee : {$0.00} Paid Since Listed Date : {$0.00} TOTAL DUE : {$1200.00} PAY BY PHONE XXXX XXXX XXXX - XXXX XXXX Pacific Time PAY BY INTERNET www.paycfi.com PAY BY MAIL XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Make Checks Payable and Remit To : Cedars Business Services , LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CA XXXX On XX/XX/20, I called XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX  XXXX, XXXX, identified myself, and was informed that Creditor Account # XXXX was not a legitimate account number. I was advised to call the originator of the letter. 

I contacted Cedars Business Services online : " On XX/XX/20, I received your letter dated XX/XX/20, advising me that creditor, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, is requesting a seriously past-due payment of {$1200.00}. On XX/XX/20, I called XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX at XXXX, to inquire about the validity of this debt collection, using Creditor Account # XXXX as shown in your letter. The XXXX   Co stated that this account number is not a valid one ; and therefore, there is no payment due. Besides, I have never used their services. I am hereby requesting that you void this invalid debt collection ; as I am disputing the validity of this claim. Thank you for the courtesy of a prompt reply. '' On XX/XX/20, I received a response from XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : " We received your dispute on our website stating that you are the wrong person. For your security, I'd like to confirm that I am speaking to the right party. Can you please confirm your zip code and month of birth? Regards, XXXX XXXX '' Account Manager Cedars Business Services Direct : XXXX Toll Free : XXXX Team : XXXX On XX/XX/20, I replied : " Before we proceed further, please send me proof of this debt immediately, so that I can contact my lawyer and also file a complaint with the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection. I will need copies of all documents pertaining to this debt, as the XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX again stated they have no history of my ever using their services. Your immediate response is sincerely appreciated. '' On XX/XX/20, I received an email from XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : " We are still waiting to hear from you regarding your past due balance with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Please give us a chance to assist you. Contact us at XXXX to find out how we can help you. If you prefer not to discuss this matter by phone & to pay balance online, please visit our secure payment portal at www.paycfi.com. '' ( same creditor name, file #, account #, principal balance listed ) Again, I have never used the XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX system. Companies like this one are trying to profit from the chaos of covid-19 and are sending out erroneous billing to people. This company did not doublecheck nor provide proof of any services provided by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX system, and the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX already told me they have no record for me. I am shocked to learn that they are using false data from either stolen credit cards/businesses, falsifying documents/billing, embezzling money from within their company, trying to keep a good reputation as a legitimate business, and protecting their own employees to steal. I checked with the XXXX XXXX XXXX website and found a complaint similar to mine from another state.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation