Consumer complaint received 2018-11-27
Company: I.Q. DATA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Communication tactics
Sub-issue: Used obscene, profane, or other abusive language

Complaint:
My wife and I got calls from I.Q. Data International on XX/XX/2018. We were called in regards to a fee we have with our former apartment complex ( XXXX XXXX  ) for the amount of {$1300.00} for breaking our lease earlier than expected. After the introduction and disclosure to attempt to record the call, the callers from I.Q. Data International went about collecting the entire sum. When I told them I don't have the entire sum, they said that this would negatively impact our credit scores, and that there was nothing we could about it, if we didn't pay the entire sum now. I told them, that if they needed to impact our scores, then fine. We didn't have the {$1300.00} at that very moment, but we could work out a payment plan and eventually even out that credit impact. They said no, and said that they took my unwillingness to pay the entire sum now as a rejection of my obligations and that they will move forward with legal action to obtain their funds. On top of that, their callers harassed my wife and berated her on the phone, while she was at work. She is XXXX XXXX and had a patient waiting for her, and they refused to let her go. Then I was called, and explained that I could work out an agreement, and that was the best we could do. The caller went on to say he didn't believe my wife and I don't have {$1300.00} dollars laying around to pay, since we make enough to pay. I told him I have other bills, plus the holiday season to worry about, and he got mouthy with me, stating " Do you think I don't pay my bill because of Black Friday? ". To which I replied, " I don't know you, how would I not what you do? ". This seemed to irate the clerk more and he said I needed to be more focused on meeting my adult obligations. The clerks that called were rude, spoke over us, didn't let us explain our side of the situation, refused to work with us on creating a payment plan, and even disrupted my wife 's work with sick patients so they can yell at her. This was unprofessional, rude, insulting, and demeaning. Finally, after the clerk hung up with me, he called my wife to threaten her with credit damaging and freezing assets until she paid. She gave over a credit card number under the force of threat. We want this fixed. We looked up this company online and they have hundreds and thousands of negative reviews, due to their customer service harassment techniques. Why are they still allowed to practice business? I will have that credit card payment blocked, as I refuse to be bullied and threatened into action. That is not how to work with me. They can contact us, when they are willing to work out a payment agreement, which I am more than willing to do. Or they can sell off our debt to another company with better service. I'm willing to pay my fees, I am not willing to be treated like a criminal for it. If you need further proof of my statement, please ask for the recording from our phone calls. The ones made to me were on XX/XX/2018 @ XXXX and then again at XXXX. My phone number is XXXX, my wife 's number is XXXX.

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