Consumer complaint received 2022-09-06
Company: The CMI Group, 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:
XXXX of 2022, I received a letter from Credit Management LP. I contacted the company on XX/XX/2022, to dispute the debt. The representative assured me that there was nothing I needed to do and reassured me that the company would handle the dispute. I was advised by the representative to allow ten days for the dispute to process and was told that all collection activity would be terminated until the end of the dispute. I was NOT told by this representative to upload and or provide any documentation regarding the debt. My argument was that I had already paid the debt to the original creditor, XXXX. To be sure I understood, I had the representative clarify and reiterate whether the account would be reported to the credit bureaus while being investigated. I was told no by the representative and to expect another collection notice via mail if the debt comes back as verified, or unpaid. The representative stated that if I did not receive any further notices from the company by XX/XX/2022, then the debt was dismissed following completion of my dispute filled on XX/XX/2022. Although I received no updates regarding the dispute, nor documents verifying the debt, the account was reported to the credit bureaus XX/XX/2022. I then contacted XXXX to ask why the debt was reporting as unpaid. That is when I found out that I made an honest mistake and did not make a payment on my final bill. However, because the account was disputed by myself, and because I requested verification that I still owed the debt, Credit Management was legally supposed to send me a bill, signed contract, or anything to legally tie me to the debt, even another notice to collect the debt being that the balance had not been paid as I originally thought. Had I received a second collection notice after the dispute was closed, I would have immediately made a payment to avoid any collection activity. Me assuming the balance had been paid was an honest mistaken, I had just relocated to a different state. Which was the reason behind the dispute. I received no communication about the dispute after it was filled, or any further notices by mail. Even after updating my contact information with Credit Management on the day, I called to dispute the account, no one reached out. I assumed at that point the debt had been verified as paid. It wasn't until after it was reported to the credit bureaus that I realized my mistake. Though, Credit Management refused to notify me of additional collection attempts, prior to reporting the debt. Even after I disputed the debt, Credit Management failed to show me any validation that I still owed the debt. Again, had I received proper communication, or a second collection notice after the dispute, I would have made an immediately payment. Especially being that I now understood why I still owed the debt and certainly to prevent any further collection activity. 
On XX/XX/2022, I contacted Credit Management to see if the debt would be removed from my credit report once full payment is received. I was told no ; the debt would remain, and the account would be updated to closed once paid. The representative did notify me that an account can be removed under some conditions. I was also informed on this day that when I called to file the dispute on XX/XX/2022, I was supposed to upload documentation to show that the debt had been paid. Which was something the representative failed to advise me on XX/XX/2022. The only information I was provided on that day was to allow ten days for the dispute to be processed. On XX/XX/XXXX, the representative also told me that there were several attempts made to contact me via phone regarding the debt. I asked the representative if it were the contact number which I updated with the company, and she replied with the number in which I no longer have access to. So, what that means is that when I spoke to the representative on XX/XX/2022, and provided my up-to-date contact number, he had not updated it. Which would explain why I didn't receive the phone calls, due to a mistake on behalf of the representative. In all, I was not provided accurate information, or full details, when it came to disputing the account with Credit Management, I received no additional communications by phone since my phone number had not been updated as requested, nor was I provided validation of the debt or even a second attempt to collect the debt after disputing and before the debt was reported to the credit bureaus ( although Credit Management has my correct mailing address on file ). I feel as if the assistance I received was very poor and could have been better. Had I received the proper knowledge to dispute the debt, and had I received a collection notice after disputing the debt, I would have made an immediate payment. The laws under the FCRA were broken in this situation, and I am the one who must pay for such. Because I owe this debt, I have no problem making an immediate payment. However, I will not make said payment and settle with the account still showing on my credit report. All of this could have been avoided. Yes, I made a mistake by assuming I paid the final bill with XXXX, however, had I received proper information following my dispute, a payment would have been made where necessary, to avoid any further hassle.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief