Consumer complaint received 2020-04-17
Company: I.Q. DATA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
State: OH
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2020 IQ Data International debt collection contacted me over the phone around XXXX EST. Explained they were trying to resolve a debt from XXXX XXXX XXXX that I moved out of back in XXXX. The debt they were trying to collect was {$1000.00}. I had no idea I had an outstanding debt and asked for details and why I was not notified earlier since it has been three years. He then explained they may have just taken the debt on for the client. I asked for more information and asked if they could mail me something with a breakdown of what I would pay to resolve the debt he said that something was sent out XX/XX/2020. I told them I never received anything because it was 2 days prior. I also asked if there was information because I was in a car driving since I was working today. I asked him to cut to the point in which he responded to me how would I like to pay the debt with master card or visa. I said I can not pay this because I want to cross check everything on my end and make sure this makes sense. He then got frustrated and said if we want to take your identity we could open a credit card with the information we have. I asked if he could email me the information and he said hold and we got disconnected. I called back at XXXX EST later once I finished everything. Again I did not want to leave anything to chance and needed to find out more information. I spoke to my old roommate and he also said he remembers everything with the apartment being squared away so I was wondering if this was a mistake or did IQ Data International debt collection get information from my old apartment complex. 
When I got through I was transferred twice and put on the phone with the same person that I was talking to that afternoon. He said he got clearance from his operations manager XXXX to send over the information. So I ran inside and could not find the email and he resent and found it. They sent over part of the lease agreement that I signed, when we moved in and moved out, payments made, and MY PERSONAL INFORMATION. Over email they sent a copy of my passport, drivers license and social security card that was not in a secured link! 
So I went through everything they sent me and asked to look into this to see if anything was missing because again to my knowledge for the past three years there as been no problems. So this person had to get a " senior partner '' to give permission to give a hold. That partner got on the phone and said he will give me 1 hour to pay. I explained I just heard about this today and have not received any other information prior. He said the world is not fair and that is why he got into this so he can help people. I explained I need to look into this to make sure it is legit since I just learned about this today and I have not received anything in the mail. He then said he personally sent something out on XX/XX/2020 and I asked right away why did the other guy say something was sent out on XX/XX/2020. He paused and said that was the second notice and we do not have to send anything in the mail since we are talking to you now. The he went on to say the same thing about if he wanted to open a credit card in my name he has the information to do so. He also said they have wasted enough time on me and they will no longer give me the 1 hour hold. Then he went on to say I can let it affect my credit it and it will stick on my credit and I will pay more. I said okay can I pay online or mail a check. He said no we do not accept those forms of payment we only take visa and master over the phone. I hung up after this because something did not sound right. I will be calling my apartment complex I moved out of 3 years ago and see what is going on tomorrow morning.

Company public response: Company believes complaint represents an opportunity for improvement to better serve consumers
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief