Consumer complaint received 2020-12-09
Company: NCS, Inc
State: IA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2020, I checked my credit report and found that I had an open debt collection account, ( NCS Inc. XXXX XXXX XXXX # XXXX XXXX XXXX, IA XXXX ) from XXXX 'XXXX  XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, IA XXXX ) on an account that I did not open. 

I contacted NCS and requested information regarding the account. I had spoken with a representative, " XXXX '', who had requested information about the account and instructed me to obtain information from XXXX to prove my case. I explained that I no longer live at the address they have on file due to divorce and I was not able to go to the address to obtain said mail. 

I contacted XXXX and requested copies of all agreements, applications, and any other information on file. I was sent two documents and given limited credit card information regarding billing. 

I faxed all information to NCS and followed up with a call. I reviewed the documents with " XXXX '' and explained the phone number, email address, mailing address, signatures, and credit card information belonged to my ex-wife and was, in fact, not mine. " XXXX '' stated she would send the information to the consumer relations person who would have to review it and make a decision on whether or not I was liable for the debt. 

I was contacted by " XXXX '' days later and told because I had a child with my ex, I was responsible for the debt she accrued. I asked where in the law it states having children with someone makes you legally responsible for debt that person acquired. " XXXX '' stated she did not know and was just relaying the information the consumer relations person gave her. I again reviewed the documentation showing where the credit card used for the initial purchase was not mine, the signature was not mine, and the contact information was not mine. " XXXX '' stated to me, " I don't know what to tell you, I'm just the messenger. '' I requested information providing proof that I was notified, or attempted to be notified the account was being sent to collections. I also requested to speak with the consumer relations person for an explanation on how I am liable for a debt I did not agree to, consent to, sign for, or how having a child with someone who owed a debt was inherently my responsibility. I reiterated to " XXXX '' I no longer lived at the address they had on file and requested to pick up the documents at their office. " XXXX '' stated she didn't know if or when the requested information would be available for me to pick up. 

The next day, I called back to see if the consumer relations person was available as I had not received any information or contact. I was told by " XXXX '' that he was not in the office and she did not know when he would return. I was told to give her a time I would be available and he would call me back. I stated to " XXXX '' I would be available and requested to be contacted as soon as possible. I also asked " XXXX '' if I was able to pickup the documentation I had requested. " XXXX '' stated information was sent to the address that is on file. I once again explained I no longer live at that address and would like to pick up copies for my reference. I was not given any answer on how I would be able to obtain documentation showing proof there was an attempt to collect debt from me or that it had been sent to collections. I asked if I had been sent any notification within 5 days of contact regarding debt collection. I was told no. 

That afternoon, I was contacted by " XXXX XXXX ''. I asked how it was determined I was liable for the debt. " XXXX '' did not answer the question and stated that I did not contact XXXX to give back the instrument. I again asked how I was liable for the debt. " XXXX '' stated that in his notes I had contacted XXXX in XXXX or XXXX attempting to locate the instrument and that I had not contacted XXXX since. I stated to " XXXX '' I did reach out to them requesting information and stated to the bookkeeper that, if I was able to locate the instrument, I would return it. I also informed " XXXX '' that I was unaware of the debt in XXXX and that I contacted Midbell on XX/XX/2020. " XXXX '' yelled into the phone, " I said XXXX or XXXX. '' " XXXX '' then stated I had not contacted them about giving back the trumpet. I explained to " XXXX '' I no longer live at the address and I had been in contact with my son who I had asked to give me any information about the instrument or if he could tell me where it was. However, I had no information and was not contacting XXXX to tell them I did not have any leads about the whereabouts of said instrument. " XXXX '' stated I sent his office forms about the instrument so I was aware of the debt and that because I have a child with the person who owes the debt, I am liable. I explained to " XXXX '' that I provided the information requested by his office and I had initiated contact with his office regarding the debt. I informed " XXXX '' that even though " XXXX '' had confirmed NCS had my phone number ( which is not listed on any contract, agreement, or any other documentation provided ), I had never been contacted by XXXX or NCS in an attempt to resolve the debt or notify me the debt was being sent to collections. I again informed " XXXX '' I did not have prior knowledge of the debt collection as I requested the information directly from XXXX and that if " XXXX '' checks the timestamps from the emails I also faxed his office, he would see the correspondence between myself and XXXX reps in an attempt to rectify this issue was dated between XX/XX/2020 and XX/XX/2020 ( the day after my initial contact with NCS and XXXX ). " XXXX '' then asked me, " Do you not feel responsible for this debt since it was for your kid? '' I responded to " XXXX '' no, I did not because I did not consent to the purchase, I did not sign for the purchase, I did not make the purchase, and I did not agree to the terms of said purchase. I then asked if I could be shown in the consumer rights or other federal law, where I am liable for a debt I did not agree to take on. " XXXX '' then stated I would be referred to the legal department for action.

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