Consumer complaint received 2020-10-06
Company: First Advantage LNS Inc.
State: PA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
In XX/XX/XXXX I cosigned a 12-month lease for my brother, to become effective in XX/XX/XXXX, who subsequently moved to NY in XX/XX/XXXX. I contacted the Management Office and asked the procedure for breaking the lease as described under paragraph 20 of the lease ( copy attached ). I was advised the Lease Buyout Option would constitute one months rent with a 30-day notice. I formally notified the Management Office on XX/XX/XXXX that the lease was being terminated effective 30 days from that date. I was subsequently advised that the fee must be paid at the time of request to terminate. The one-month termination fee was paid on XX/XX/XXXX which made my brother financially responsible through XX/XX/XXXX. Copies of the emails which document these communications are attached. 

Now XXXX rent was paid on XX/XX/XXXX and a copy of the rent receipt is attached. Because the one month termination fee was paid on XX/XX/XXXX as noted above, the only remaining balance is for the first weeks rent in XXXX and any ancillary move-out fees. A copy of the Move-out Statement from XXXX XXXX  is attached and you will note the one month termination fee is charged twice. That is the disputed amount. 

I advised the Management Office that all correspondence should be sent via email as I was traveling through XX/XX/XXXX and would not be receiving USPS mail. This email was sent XX/XX/XXXX and is attached. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I received a text message from my brother with a copy of a collection notice from NCAC ( copy attached ). Until this point I had heard nothing from XXXX XXXX about a final balance  due. On XX/XX/XXXX I received an email from a XXXX XXXX of NCAC providing me a copy of the Move-out Statement and advising me they can process payment over the phone ( copy attached ). At this point I called the Management Office at XXXX XXXX XXXX to inquire about how this matter could have so recklessly evolved out of control without my having any knowledge. I was subsequently advised I must discuss this matter with their corporate office and provided a telephone number. I called and left numerous messages but never received a return call. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I responded to XXXX XXXX email ( copy attached ) explaining the situation and offering to resolve the matter for the correct balance of {$630.00} which constitutes XXXX rent for the first week and some ancillary fees. I advised I would not pay an additional termination fee of {$980.00} since that was not part of the lease termination agreement. Since that time I have gone back and forth with NCAC explaining my position and continuing to offer to settle the matter for the balance of {$630.00} and them simply providing instructions for how to make payment of {$1600.00}. 

In XX/XX/XXXX NCAC filed a collection with all three credit bureaus accusing me of being a debtor of a {$1600.00} balance. I found this action on their part outrageous and engaged counsel to assist in the resolution of the matter. My counsel sent a letter to NCAC ( attached ) and the debt was subsequently reduced to {$630.00} but the collection remains. XXXX  discharged the collection based on a detailed dispute I initiated. XXXX XXXX claimed they reduced the collection to {$630.00} based on my dispute ( a falsehood as the reduction was a result of my counsels letter ) and XXXX  claimed  they required more information. I must make the point that only XXXX  behaved on behalf of the consumer and the others credit bureaus behaved either incompetently or negligently. 

So here we are now with collections for {$630.00} on my credit record with both XXXX XXXX and XXXX. My brother also has collections on his credit reports with the three credit bureaus. I have always been open and willing to pay the {$630.00} balance but not the {$1600.00} which NCAC has consistently demanded until recently.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief