Consumer complaint received 2016-10-31
Company: Viking Client Services
State: HI
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not mine

Complaint:
I rented the car, a XXXX XXXX, from XXXX from XX/XX/2016 through XX/XX/2016. Within 24 hours of the rental, we noticed that there was a mechanical issue with the car. Since we felt this was an unsafe vehicle to drive, I called XXXX to pick up the car from the hotel parking lot and to deliver another car. I told the dispatcher that there was a mechanical problem with the rental car. I inspected the XXXX XXXX before the tow truck driver arrived to pick up the unsafe vehicle. There were no damages to the car. The tow truck driver took possession of the XXXX XXXX. He did not inspect the XXXX XXXX. I did not receive any paperwork from the tow truck company nor XXXX regarding the XXXX XXXX with the unsafe mechanical condition. 
On XX/XX/2016, I received a letter from Viking Billing Services, dated XX/XX/2016, stating that there was damage to the XXXX XXXX and I had to pay. The notice did not have any vehicle history report, invoices, estimates, etc. to back up the alleged damages that occurred. I contacted XXXX XXXX XXXX, an insurance adjustor, to assist me. He called Viking on my behalf on XX/XX/2016 to request detailed information justifying the charges. I did not receive any paperwork. I received another notice on XX/XX/2016, from Viking, with the date of XX/XX/2016. XXXX XXXX called Viking on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/2016. He talked to XXXX and she said that I should receive the information in about 8-10 days. I still have not received any proof regarding the alleged damages to the XXXX XXXX. On XX/XX/2016, I received another letter from Viking. The Viking letter dated XX/XX/XXXX, stated that the bill would be sent to collections if we did not set up a payment plan. 
Since XXXX XXXX 's calls requesting information did not work, I decided to try Action Line, XXXX XXXX XXXX in Hawaii to assist. XXXX, an XXXX XXXX consumer advocate, called Viking to request information. They told her that she needed me to call Viking and give them permission for her to work on my behalf. 
I called Viking on Thursday, XX/XX/2016 and talked to XXXX XXXX XXXX. I gave them permission to talk to XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX. I told XXXX XXXX that I will mail a letter, certified mail, return receipt to his boss, XXXX XXXX. He told me the vehicle had a scratch and that I should have taken pictures of the vehicle and that they check all cars to see if they work. This is the first time someone told me there was a scratch on the car. He did not mention specifics. 
On Tuesday, XX/XX/2016, XXXX from XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX called me and said that I needed to call XXXX, Customer Service, XXXX to obtain a Case ID number and file a complaint escalation form online at the XXXX group website. 
I did some research online and found out that this is a scam that has happened to many people in the U. S. and in XXXX, XXXX, XXXX. I finally checked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and noticed that what was happening to me occurred with other people ; following the same pattern of receiving a notice of damages over a month after the car rental and not receiving any detail of the alleged damage, vehicle history report, estimates, invoices, insurance reports, etc. 
The XXXX XXXX was not damaged in my possession. I am not liable for the supposed scratch on the car. The unsafe XXXX XXXX was out of my possession when it was towed. The supposed scratch is the responsibility of the tow company ; therefore, I am not liable for any charges relating to the XXXX XXXX in question. Stop charging me for this and stop all collection proceedings.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation