Consumer complaint received 2017-06-05
Company: FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUTSOURCING, INC.
State: SC
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report

Complaint:
1. I cosigned a lease with XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, SC, for my daughter after she XXXX from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX who had need of some credit support with her first job. During her stay, she had the misfortune of meeting another tenant who XXXX her and ended up in XXXX XXXX XXXX. ( for which she paid the damages ) When her lease ended, she opted to move from this complex and had a detailed conversation with the two managers in the office telling them of her intention to move, dates of physically moving, etc. there was no further discussion. Subsequently she received a bill for the following month 's rent because she did not complete a form with the info about her move date, etc. ( Keep in mind that the apartment was inspected, cleaned and readied for occupancy the weekend she left. ) 2. We questioned this since she had spent quite a bit of time in the office explaining her intentions to move, etc. The response was that " Company policy required that she fill out her request in writing and that was explained in her lease. '' They were indeed correct about that but I was quite upset that they did not remind her of that fact when she was in the office. Their response " She should have known '' 3. We were in the stage of negotiating with XXXX XXXX when our records were turned over to Fair Collections & Outsourcing collection agency, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, MD XXXX ( XXXX ). I thought we were in continuing negotiations with FCO. Ultimately, I just gave up and paid the outstanding amount. 4.A month ago, in an effort to get our personal affairs in order, we were exploring a refinance on our personal property when this credit ding showed up on our credit report. I was flabbergasted and called FCO right away. I was assured that this matter had been paid. When I talked with the bank, however, I was advised that the matter was showing up on the credit report in spite of showing it paid ( and paid timely ). To my chagrin, I learned that the item needed to be removed from my report. I thought that would be no issue since it was paid and I had NEVER had the slightest negative action against my credit. I 'm XXXX years old and feel as if I 've fallen down the rabbit hole. 5. I talked with 3 representatives of FCO, all telling me that there is nothing they can do. They do not care what the facts of this case are and that they " Never delete anything ... .only add. '' That was " Company policy '' When I asked to speak to someone who had some input into Company policy, I was denied any names, phone numbers, etc. I received an email from the " Compliance Department '' reiterating that the item was legitimate and would remain on my credit report. No way to talk to a human being!! ( Each phone call was recorded. One name I remember was XXXX ) 6. I filed disputes with XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX. As you are aware, these disputes are all automated, with no human being touching the data. Needless to say, when sent out to FCO indicating there were discrepancies in the info upon which their decision had been based ( not a lot of room on the electronic form ), the investigation by the collection agency confirmed that this item was mine. Since there is no oversight power apparently with the credit reporting agencies, you are my last hope. <P/>Is this legal? Do collection agencies get extra money to NOT remove any item from a credit report.? IS there a way to remove a small ding such as this? This dispute has shown up on not only my credit but also my daughter 's who will have this on her credit for 7 years as well. How can we ever expect people to pull themselves up and overcome these types of negative assaults on their very characters! <P/>Am I stuck with this credit nightmare for seven years? ( if I 'm still alive in 7 years! ) Unfortunately, I tossed my email correspondence with the XXXX XXXX XXXX when I thought the matter was resolved. And I 'm quite certain they would no longer have anything pertaining to this since this must be a standard operating procedure for them as well as FCO

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