Consumer complaint received 2019-09-17
Company: National Credit Systems,Inc.
State: OH
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive notice of right to dispute

Complaint:
Recently became aware of a derogatory item that has been reporting inaccurately on my credit report since XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX of XXXX I moved out of XXXX XXXX apartments after satisfying the requirements of my lease. I had signed a 12 month renewal that began on XX/XX/XXXX and expired XX/XX/XXXX. I lived there from XXXX until moving out in XXXX. Prior to leaving, I provided written notice as requested in the lease agreement, and also made sure that the apartment was left in a better condition than when I moved in. After cleaning the place top to bottom and taking pictures of each room, I left for good. It was only recently that I found out that National Credit Systems has a collections account for almost {$2600.00} that I was never made aware of under my rights of the FDCPA. I contacted them directly to dispute the debt and they sent me a copy of my lease along with an itemized claim of inaccurate damages. First and foremost, for over 4 years now they have inaccurately reported the creditor as " cross lakes apartments ''. On top of that, the claim is for 2 months of unpaid rent and late fees for the months of XXXX and XXXX of XXXX. My lease expired in XXXX! Why am I being harassed for 2 months of rent payments that I was no longer liable for? Third, all of the miscellaneous cleaning fees claiming damages outside of normal wear and tear are just a joke. I have photos to this day that show a complete different story. The bedrooms, bathroom, living room and kitchen were all immaculate when I left and photographed them. Furthermore, I lived there for 5 years, and I know that the carpet is replaced after a tenancy of that long. Charging {$150.00} " carpet cleaning fee '' is absolutely ridiculous after I had paid a cleaner to come do it prior to leaving. On top of all of this, they had the audacity to add on a {$730.00} " collections fee ''. I asked why I was never provided written notification of the debt as required by federal law, or allowed the opportunity to dispute it before now. I was told by the representative that they " called and left messages ''. I asked what phone number they were calling and she gave me phone numbers that belonged to my relatives. She told me that they didn't have my address to send me written notice. I advised her that by law they are required by law to provide WRITTEN notification, as well as ensure the accuracy and validity of the debt being claimed in order to legally report to the credit bureaus. I reminded her again that they didn't even have the name of the original creditor correct that they have been reporting for nearly 5 years now, as well as attempting to collect debt that is not legally owed due to being outside the dates of my contract. I requested immediate deletion of this due to being in blatant violation of the FDCPA and being inaccurate and unverified, but the representative refused to comply. I have reported to the XXXX   as well, and am preparing to exercise my legal rights to recover any damages to which I may be entitled.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation