Consumer complaint received 2022-09-23
Company: Helvey & Associates, Inc., Warsaw, IN Branch
State: AZ
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
Last XX/XX/XXXX I moved out of my apartment from XXXX, NC to XXXX, AZ for my career. The day I left the state of NC was XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX I contacted XXXX XXXX to pay my last bill. I was told by the representative I didn't need to pay because my deposit was {$200.00} and would be returned to me by mail. I even gave the representative my new address and asked her to shut off my energy immediately and forward the check I was owed for my deposit of {$200.00} to my new address in XXXX, AZ. She assured me this would be done. Several months later in XX/XX/XXXX, Helvey and AssociatesXXXX the collection agency on XXXX XXXX XXXX behalf- reported a collection on my credit report without notifying me. This was also an inaccurate amount of {$880.00}. I didnt receive any contact from XXXX XXXX stating I had a balance and I was never forwarded a bill to my AZ address. I had no chance to rectify the debt which I was told by XXXX XXXX wasnt debt, that I would receive a check and didnt owe anything. It was my landlords responsibility as well to ensure energy was shut off and she did not adhere to that. I moved out the first week of XX/XX/XXXX and she required me to still pay a full months rent. I was not living in that residence XX/XX/XXXX or XX/XX/XXXX other than XXXX week. I can provide my landlords information as well as a witness to me speaking with XXXX XXXX and connection my service. I was never provided any evidence of what energy was used to cause these charges and it is unfair credit reporting. I'm a loan XXXX it is imperative for me to keep a clean credit record. Once I was made aware of the charges, I disputed it with XXXX and more recently XXXX. During the initial investigation, both XXXX 's found that both XXXX XXXX and Helvey and associates were false reporting and inflating the bill. Due to this, the charges were adjusted to {$430.00} in XX/XX/XXXX. However, before I paid I requested the final bill from Helvey and associates and they never provided me evidence of the charges or what energy had been used to substantiate the charges. I wanted to make sure my credit was in line as I was going to apply for a few new state licenses in the summer, so I paid the collection in XX/XX/XXXX, even though I still don't agree with the charges. I believe XXXX XXXX  and Helvey and associates are using false billing practices, inflating consumer 's bills and using illegal practices to obtain additional money. Today I was contacted by XXXX at Consumer Affairs at XXXX XXXX, she stated that she was unable to provide the last call history when I closed my account with XXXX XXXX. XXXX also stated that she was unsure why the original charge was {$880.00} and could not provide evidence of that {$880.00}. I informed XXXX the reason I didn't pay originally was because I never received the final bill at my new address as requested and also the charges were inaccurate. She stated that the bill was forwarded to my old address in NC on XX/XX/XXXX. I was living in Arizona by then. XXXX XXXX and Helvey did not give me or the Bureau 's time to investigate, instead they added this false collection to my report and Helvey used aggressive tactics. XXXX rejected my ask to remove the collection from my account since I have already paid my final bill and the original charges were inaccurate. You can also see on my final bill I had deferral arrangements due to COVID and being held XXXX in a robbery and suffering XXXX I had reduced work hours for an extended period of time. XXXX XXXX was aware of my situation and they took advantage, instead of trying to help- they tried to take extra. This is unethical and predatory practices on both businesses account and I urge that this collection be removed from my credit report with all three credit bureau 's - XXXX, XXXX and XXXX. Please see the attached investigation performed by XXXX this month- please highlight the findings show that in XX/XX/XXXX the amount was inflated to {$880.00} and only later adjusted after investigation. I have also included my last bill I received from XXXX XXXX, finally just today. Please note the charges on my last bill on XX/XX/XXXX, state the balance was {$430.00} not {$880.00}. Also note that the address this was sent to was NC after asking it be sent to AZ.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation