Consumer complaint received 2023-03-29
Company: Central Portfolio Control Inc.
State: UT
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
XXXX XXXX, I began receiving repeated phone calls from various individuals from various phone numbers saying they were with Central Portfolio Control. When I asked what the calls were about, they said it was regarding a personal matter but couldnt tell me anything else unless I provided my social security number, date of birth, or other personally identifiable information. I explained that my identity had been stolen last year and in light of the prevalence of scams, I would not do so unless they contacted me in writing to let me know who they were and what the calls were about. On one occasion, XXXX XXXX informed me they sent written correspondence on XX/XX/XXXX, and I explained I never received anything. I also told her I am enrolled in the XXXX Informed Delivery program and receive emails daily with images of the envelopes being delivered to my mailbox each day and never received an email with an image of a letter from Central Portfolio Control. She said they would resend the letter, but to date, I have never received ANY written correspondence from Central Portfolio Control. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received notification that Central Portfolio Control reported a {$1500.00} debt delinquency to XXXX and XXXX-without ever telling me what they were calling about or sending written notification. Once I saw the amount, I immediately knew the alleged debt stemmed from a XXXX dispute with a former landlord who, to this day, has never filed a lawsuit or received a judgment against me. I called Central Portfolio Control and advised that I have repeatedly disputed the debt with the landlord, and multiple attorneys and debt collection agencies they hired who all failed to pursue the action-presumably because there is no legal basis for the debt. The dispute centers on whether I agreed to an early termination fee in a buy out agreement separately executed from the lease. The term termination fee appears nowhere in the buy out agreement or in the lease, and significantly, the apartment was rented before the expiration of my lease term so the landlord had zero damages. Under Arizona law, the landlord has a duty to mitigate damages and they did so, fully. At all times, I have disputed this alleged debt and no judge or arbiter has rendered a final judgment on this issue because the landlords attorneys and prior collection companies have all abandoned the endeavor and failed to file any legal action to recover the legally invalid debt. I have kept detailed records of all communications ( most of which were sent via certified mail with proof of delivery ) as well as the original lease and buy out agreement. I am fully prepared to litigate this case and maintain the alleged debt is legally invalid. Central Portfolio control unilaterally reported to the credit bureaus on an alleged debt they failed to properly verify or otherwise inform me of. My credit score has been adversely affected and I intend to pursue all remedies afforded to me by law.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation