Consumer complaint received 2018-08-01
Company: First Advantage LNS Inc.
State: OK
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX I was contacted via e-mail, stating that their office was trying to get in contact with me " in regards to a very important business matter, '' and the subject contained an apartment complex that I lived in. On this same day, I received a voicemail, as well and it stated that it was an attempt to collect a debt. I stated in an e-mail on XX/XX/XXXX that the balance was calculated inaccurately, based on the amounts and each amount 's description, on my balance history, on the XXXX XXXX apartment complex 's website. Three separate amounts ( {$25.00}, {$44.00}, and {$65.00} ), contained a description of " Write Off - Phy Dmgs ( past Only ), and they were included in the balance that I supposedly owe, after moving out of my apartment. On XX/XX/XXXX, I informed the person who has been attempting to collect this debt, on behalf of the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, that these amounts should not have been included in the calculation of the debt that I owe and that my account had a balance of {$0.00}. On XX/XX/XXXX, I officially stated to the debt collector via e-mail, that the debt she was attempting to collect from myself, was not valid. On XX/XX/XXXX, she requested that I provide the supporting documentation, showing that I had a balance of {$0.00} and that amounts were charged off, due to past damages and I provided this documentation on XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, she stated that she reached out to her client and they stated " the property has to write everything off so that they can balance their books at the end of the month, but it doesn't mean you don't owe it, '' then stated " per XXXX XXXX, the balance in full is due, no changes will be made to your account. '' On XX/XX/XXXX, I stated that an attempt to collect this debt without providing me with sufficient documentation for the validation of the debt, was a violation of the FDPCA and that I was fully aware of my rights. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received two different invoices for carpet repairs, pictures and my move-in sheet, but no documentation of how my balance was calculated, was provided. 

Shortly after, I was diagnosed with a XXXX XXXX and had to receive immediate care and this was my first and foremost priority. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter stating that the balance had been reported on my credit report and I checked XXXX, which identified that XXXX reported a balance of {$700.00} on my credit report on XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I e-mailed the debt collector and informed her that an inaccurate balance had been reported and that it was a violation of the FDCPA and that this debt collection being reported, caused a significant decrease in my credit score ( 30 points ) and that I would agree to pay an accurate balance, if and ONLY if, it were to be removed off of all of my credit reports. I informed here that I paid a {$190.00} deposit and {$400.00} pet deposit, while I was living in the apartment complex and I didn't think that those amounts were taken into consideration. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I was provided with how my balance was calculated and only a short portion of my lease, that showed were I only paid a {$75.00} security deposit ( this amount was included in the calculation ). I signed two different leases, after the lease that she provided as the validation of this amount. She also stated that she provided me with the carpet invoices ( an invoice dated XX/XX/XXXX with a total of {$590.00} - I didn't move in until XX/XX/XXXX and an invoice dated XX/XX/XXXX with a total of {$620.00} ), neither of these totals agree to the amount that was included in the calculation of the debt, which was {$500.00}. Lastly, in the same e-mail, she stated that she " can settle my account for a one-time payment of {$520.00}, for a paid in full update, '' or that she " can submit a request to have this deleted from all three credit bureaus if the balance in full is paid. '' On XX/XX/XXXX, I responded to this e-mail, letting her know that my {$400.00} pet deposit was not included in the calculation of this debt and since she refused to update the balance that I stated was inaccurate, I would be taking further action. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, she stated that the {$400.00} was non-refundable and that the apartment complex stated the balance was calculated correctly and stated " again I will settle your account for a one-time payment of {$520.00} and will update it as paid in full on your credit report. '' She also included a " Resident Ledger '' that was created by XXXX XXXX XXXX ( owner of XXXX XXXX ) and stated that the {$400.00} was a non-refundable pet fee. I responded on XX/XX/XXXX and requested that I see the portion of my lease where I agreed to a non-refundable pet fee and not a pet deposit. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I had not received any e-mail correspondence from her, after I requested further supporting documentation for the validation of the debt, yet I received a phone call from her and I did not answer ; thus, she left a voicemail, stating that she was attempting to collect the debt again. I e-mailed her on XX/XX/XXXX and requested that she not call me anymore, as it was during work hours. I also requested that she once again provide the supporting documentation for the non-refundable {$400.00} pet fee. I then received a response from her, stating that " she just got the documents today, '' and that she " left me 2 voicemails, ( XX/XX/XXXX & XX/XX/XXXX ). '' This is a violation of the FDCPA, due to the fact she contacted me, prior to providing me with the validation of the debt, that I requested on XX/XX/XXXX. 

She provided me with documentation that was signed with my initial lease and she said that it states a " {$400.00} non-refundable pet fee '' is required for a pet ; however, I reviewed the initial document and the " 27. ANIMALS '' section states " If we allow an animal, you must sign a separate animal addendum, which may require additional deposits, rents, fees or other charges. An animal deposit is considered a general security deposit. '' I never signed an additional pet addendum and now they're trying to say that it's a " non-refundable pet fee. '' My last request for validation, was for the debt collector to provide my amended and updated lease ( XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX ), which she refuses to provide. 

Two of the charges were utility charges ( {$33.00} and {$7.00} ), which I did not include in my dispute of the inaccuracy of the balance. Also, on my balance history, it shows that a " Write Off - Cleaning Charge '' of {$65.00} was charged to my account and that does not agree to how my balance was calculated either. 

My last correspondence with the debt collector was me providing support with the inaccurate calculation and I stated that I paid more in refundable deposits and her response was " I had already agreed to settle your account for {$520.00} which covers more than the {$150.00} security deposit you have stated you paid. '' She refuses to update my credit reports with the accurate balance and has ignored all of my documentation that supports my claims.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation