Consumer complaint received 2022-02-03
Company: National Credit Systems,Inc.
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
After midnight, I dont remember the specific date, I submitted an online application for a specific apartment unit at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX. The website had the apartment as available for immediate move-in. 
I had a few questions I wanted to ask about apartments, so I called them as soon as their office opened at XXXX XXXX I spoke to a young man. I informed him that I had submitted my application in the early morning hours. He told me my application had not been processed yet. 

I then asked him about the specific unit I had applied for. He told me that the unit was not available. I asked him why it was listed as available, and why I was allowed to apply for the unit if it was not available? He said he did not know ; to both questions. 

Then I asked him what other units are available? He said that they did not currently have any apartments available. Then I asked when would more units become available? He told me he did not know. I asked him did he have an estimate of when more units would become available. He said no. I asked : One week? Two weeks? One month? Two months? He again said that he did not know. 
I asked him why were they charging the application fees for apartments listed as available that actually are not? He said he did not know.

At this point I told : I withdraw my application. Do not process it. I withdraw it. It has not been processed and I do not want to proceed with applying for an unavailable apartment, and you are unable to tell me when a unit will be available in the next two months. I also want my application fee refunded because the apartment I applied for as available, is unavailable, and you do not know when another one would be available. I also want my money refunded for the charity applicants are being forced to donate to before being allowed to move forward in the online application process.

He informed me that a manager would have to process the refund for the application fee, a manager was not currently available, and he would give my complaint to the manager. A few days later I received a voice mail from a female employee from XXXX XXXX XXXX informing me that my application had been denied. 

I had the payment canceled for services not rendered and false/fraudulent/deceptive business practices. It is illegal to advertise the availability of a specific apartment unit, charge an application fee for a unit that is not actually available, not provide an alternative, can not say when an alternative will be available, and then process an application that was withdrawn before the application was processed, and then attempt to extort the fee by placing it on my credit report for collection. 

The {$290.00} collection listed on my credit reports by National Credit Systems is a criminally fraudulent collection originating from an attempt to acquire money from a consumer under false pretenses. I do not owe National Credit Systems {$290.00}. They do not possess an original contract or document bearing my signature that has created an obligation of payment or debt owed to them by me. They are refusing to validate the debt. It has been over 30 days since my request.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation