Consumer complaint received 2020-03-02
Company: Southern Management Systems Inc.
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
I was unaware of a debt I had with my old apartment complex. I was taken to collection back in XXXX, I was never given a written notice nor was I ever contacted by phone. I have noticed the collection on my report and immediately called the company to see why no attempt was made and the debt collector was very rude over the phone telling me that because I said I was unaware and I was not going to pay something I did not know was on my credit since there were no attempts to collect, she rudely told me well you are being recorded and I said I am aware. I called back trying to settle for less than the amount because to my understanding I did not owe that much, I was told they can only settle for {$940.00} on a {$1200.00} debt which again I'm not sure why I'm getting charged this much. I was told they would do that and no less and if I wanted it to be less I would have to requested by a letter. I wrote a letter and brought it to their office and the receptionist was very rude while receiving it stating that because I have desputed I have to wait 30 days per company policy to hear back from the company about my dispute. This is the response that I'm getting even though I'm saying I have the money to settle. I called today ( XX/XX/2020 ) and the receptionist rudely told me I have to wait 30 days for their decision saying I brung the letter on the XXXX of XXXX of the current year when I brung it on the XXXX, she stated " well you brung it only three days ago so you have to give us 30 days ''. This people are highly unprofessional and their collection ethics are not right. Again, I contacted the company and there has been no attempt to collect in any form even though they have my phone number and current address, I am being told about this debt without any kind of written explanation to what I'm getting charged for or anything. I am simply requesting to settle for half of the amount and they are absolutely just making it impossible for me to settle this with them. This company is very disrespectful to their clients and should not be in business. Just by reading the XXXX reviews you can tell everyone is experiencing the same issues because they just don't care about Fair Debt collecting and they want to make you think that you have no other options but to pay them and not dispute. One of the collectors told me " well that's going to stay on your credit unless you pay it, she said if " you don't want to pay it is fine is your credit ''. That's not a way of talking to someone. And today XX/XX/2020 their receptionist told me because my letter states they have 15 days to give me an answer and they take 30 she said " you can withdraw your offer, that's fine ''. These people don't care about the consumer and they treat everyone like they are nothing. Someone needs to do something about this company. 
Below I will be attaching some XXXX  reviews of other people who also has dealt with the same issues as me as well as a photo of my written letter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation