Consumer complaint received 2020-06-17
Company: Amsher Collection Services, Inc.
State: MI
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
My phone line was ported in early XX/XX/2020 from XXXX to the XXXX XXXX XXXX for the line with phone number XXXX XXXX. My account with XXXX was required to be in good-standing BEFORE XXXX allowed this number to be ported out. I was required to obtain a release PIN by contacting a XXXX representative over the phone in order to port out. In speaking with that representative I was asked why it was I was choosing to port and whether or not I was satisfied with the service I received from XXXX. I explained that I was porting my phone line, but that I was satisfied with my XXXX data plan for the tablet line. The representative gave me the required PIN and my phone line was ported. XXXX has continued to charge me for services rendered on a phone line that does not have a phone number attached to it. The phone line should have been terminated upon port. It should be understood that the date of the collection notice is XX/XX/2020, placing it within the period over which the Governor for my state has issued a " Stay At Home '' order restricting my right to travel within my state. The instructions of that order specific in that I am not to leave my home for reasons other than obtaining groceries or prescription medications. Consequentially, I have been unable to dispute any alleged collection notices in writing by mail during the COVID-19 crisis/epidemic. That is, outside of the CFPB I have no ability to exercise my Right of Notice and Opportunity to Be heard that I am afforded as a part of my rights of Due Process. 

XXXX initially elicited the services of XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX address was listed with a mailing address in the XXXX of Massachusetts. I disputed around XX/XX/2020 with CFPB to the best of my abilities using the web portal. The corresponding complaint ID is XXXX and XXXX. The compliant corresponding to the original creditor to whom I allegedly owe the debt was forwarded to the FTC. I received no response from XXXX XXXX with regards to either my CFPB complaint or the verification and validation letter that was attached to that complaint. In that complaint I highlighted the fact that XXXX XXXX was in violation of the XXXX of MA 's emergency regulation that barred debt collection until the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency was over in MA. The specific regulation was 940 CMR 35.00. 

XXXX has now employed the new services of AmSher Collection Services , Inc . The date of issuance of the communication of I received from AmSher was XX/XX/XXXX and was sent first class mail. I would not receive the letter until five ( 5 ) days after that date. However, under the stay-at-home orders issued by the Governor for the State of Michigan, I was not able to respond in writing by mail the rescission of Executive Order 2020-21, which barred all suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life on XX/XX/2020. To make clear, the State of Michigan, and its residents, continue to be under a state of emergency pursuant to Michigan Executive Order 2020-105, dated XX/XX/2020. 

The fact is I do not owe the debt as alleged. XXXX has employed the services of now two ( 2 ) different collection agencies to try and compel to pay an amount that I do not owe, alleging that charges are due on a line that has no phone number attached after the phone number has been ported to anther carrier. Since XXXX, and other carriers, are phasing out contract plans, they are attempting to replace contract cancellations with charges for services when phone and data lines have been ported by continuing to keep such services active when the device can not be used without a phone number on their networks. That is, XXXX continued to keep devices provisioned with their network when there was no way for me to use a device on their network because the phone number associated with the device was ported to another carrier. In my particular case, I was required to speak with a representative in order to port the number and thus, I notified XXXX that I was porting out.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation