Consumer complaint received 2019-03-19
Company: HW Holding, Inc
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
I have been trying to get a collection agency named Hunter Warfield to provide me with proof that I owe a debt they claim I owe. They claim I owe them {$2200.00} for an apartment I used to live in a few years ago. Because I left the apartment in good standing and paid my rent until my lease end date, and because I also had a {$500.00} deposit which was never returned to me, I felt these charges were ridiculous. I understood that apartments have to clean after tenancy ends regardless of the condition of the property, but that number should only be a few hundred dollars. To charge me {$220000.00} ON TOP of my deposit already taken is fraudulent and just a way for the apartments and it's collection agency to extort money from me.

On XX/XX/XXXX I sent Hunter Warfield a validation of debt request in writing specifically asking for the itemization of charges. Hunter Warfield did actually provide me with a ledger showing what all the charges were for. I commend them for that because at least I know they attempted to adhere to the F.D.C.P.A. up to that point. The letter was dated XX/XX/XXXX. The problem is that now I can not get a hold of a Hunter Warfield representative if my life depended on it to challenge this vague and ambiguous itemization. I have attempted on numerous days for the last month to contact Hunter Warfield to no avail. I have called XXXX which is the number sent on the " validation of debt '' notice sent to me by XXXX XXXX the collector I will assume is handling my case. I have also called XXXX which is what is on the collection notice they sent me. I have called XXXX which is the number listed on XXXX for Hunter Warfield. I have even called XXXX   which is the number listed on the Hunter and Warfield website reserved specifically for their " clients. '' I have attempted every single one of those numbers numerous times over numerous days at all hours of the day starting from XXXX  XXXX. up to XXXX XXXX pacific standard time. On every single occassion except one, I never reach a live representative even though I am holding for 6-7 minutes. Eventully the call gets sent to a voicemail asking me to leave my number and name. This happens if I dial for the collections department, if I dial for the operator, if I dial for the Spanish department, or any other department.

After trying numerous times today I finally reach a live operator. I attempt to inform her of my plight and how I never reach a live representative and I have been attempting to communicate with someone for a month. I tell her how the itemization is frivolous and ambiguous and I really need to talk to someone. Also that every time I attempt any department I reach a voicemail and that I needed to speak to someone now. What does she do?, she transfers me to the collection department and it goes to voicemail again. Well I've had it. I am filing this complaint not only because I do not owe this bill, but because Hunter Warfield does not follow proper procedure for collecting a debt,. Even if I did agree to this debt and chose to pay it, I couldn't. No one ever answers the phone. But for clarity 's sake, I DO NOT OWE THIS BILL.

I will send you a copy of the itemization Hunter Warfield forwarded to me. At face value, it would seem this debt is legitimate. Upon close inspection however, you will notice that the itemization is flawed. On the itemization it lists everything accordingly except the portion of repairs and maintenance. It simply states repairs and maintenance {$2300.00}. It does not list what those repairs were. It does not list anything simply an arbitrary number of {$2300.00}. Because the itemization provided lists removing all trash from property for {$250.00}, and carpet cleaning for {$50.00}, and house cleaning for {$150.00}, then why aren't the repairs itemized and listed? The reason is that those charges are fraudulent. The property did not need {$2300.00} in repairs. This is clearly extortion and I demand this account be removed from my credit report and for this debt to be cancelled immediately. My deposit already covered the costs of all the cleaning and I paid all my rent dues.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation