Consumer complaint received 2016-05-16
Company: Ray Klein, Inc.
State: OR
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
BACKGROUND I owed a {$260.00} balance to XXXX XXXX XXXX for a XXXX visit - DOS XXXX/XXXX/15. I thought it was covered by insurance, but was applied to the deductible. I could n't pay and the debt was turned over to a local collection agency, Ray Klein, Inc. dba Professional Credit Service, in XXXX 2015. They 're located at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, OR XXXX. 

PCS tried to contact me by phone and letter several times. On phone messages they would never say what they were calling about, or leave a reference number, or what company they were with, or any information besides a person 's name. I was n't even sure what it was for a long time, and ignored the calls. 

I did n't respond to letters, not because I disputed the validity of the debt, but I could n't pay it due to a lack of regular income ( self-employed ; slow period ). PCS eventually filed a small claims case against me in XXXX XXXX, Oregon. 

PART 1 OF COMPLAINT Charging a consumer for communication costs by sending certified mail notices with postage due violates the FDCPA, section 808. ( 5 ) The small claim suit for {$450.00} was filed in court on XXXX XXXX, but not sent to my PO Box in XXXX until XX/XX/XXXX via first-class mail. ( The post office will only do 1 forwarding order in a 12 month period. I moved twice in 5 mos last year, so mail that relies on a physical address is being returned to senders. ) When PCS mailed court paperwork, they also sent it certified with {$10.00} in postage owing. I refused to accept it on XX/XX/XXXX, as it was the same envelope and return address as the one I had just picked up from the PO Box . The long-time postal employee, XXXX, said this collection agency is NOTORIOUS for this practice, and encouraged me to send it back and make them pay for it. 

Is it possible for the CFPB to investigate the frequency of this practice at PCS/Ray Klein, beyond my individual complaint? 

PART 2 OF COMPLAINT PCS is using deceptive communication practices in trying to collect another {$20.00} after I paid the full balance owed, directly contradicting their paperwork. I think it violates the FDCPA, Section 808 ( 1 ). 

I paid the full balance owing - including court costs and a {$98.00} " collection fee '' - within 14 days of receipt as instructed. I mailed a personal check on XX/XX/XXXX via certified letter, with paperwork they sent me, signed as instructed. It cleared the bank within 10 days. 

When I called Ray Klein, Inc. on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX. to advise payment was in the mail, XXXX XXXX said I still owed {$20.00} for postage owing and related fees. She demanded to know why I had n't called their office prior to paying the debt to verify the balance, and I said their paperwork clearly listed a balance owed and instructions to pay within 14 days. There was no notice of additional funds owed, or the possibility of more owed after a certain date, only the threat of a court judgment being entered if I did n't pay. XXXX talked to her supervisor, XXXX, and both insisted {$20.00} was still owed. We ended the call with the dispute unresolved, and she stated they would wait 7-10 days for my check payment to clear, then try to collect the additional amount. 

Please see supporting documentation. 

Thank you

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