Consumer complaint received 2022-05-24
Company: ProCollect, Inc.
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX ProCollect received an account from XXXX XXXX Apartments for a collection account in my name with a balance of {$7400.00}. 

Since this date, I have tried numerous times to validate the debt. This includes, but not limited to : 1. Sent requests directly to the collection agency for debt verification, debt validation, and legal right to collect the debt ( including State License to act as a debt collector ) 2. Sent requests to the credit bureaus asking for the same aforementioned information. 

ProCollect has failed to provide documentation under the FCRA, so much so that I filed a complaint against ProCollect to the CFPB. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I submitted complaint ID : XXXX to the CFPB stating the issue at hand with the debt verification, methods of validation, and legal right to collect on the debt. They responded with : " Procollect received the consumer 's account from our client XXXX XXXX Apartments on XX/XX/XXXX. The consumer owes a balance of {$7400.00}. The consumer 's dispute has been noted and the account has been updated. Procollect will mail proof of the debt to the consumer on today XX/XX/XXXX. I apologize for any inconvenience this XXXXy have caused. The consumer may provide Procollect with any correspondence that proves this debt to be invalid by email to infotocollector@procollect.com or fax XXXX. The consumer may contact Procollect @ XXXX to pay the balance in full over the phone with a credit or debit card, or receive additional payment options. If the consumer has any further questions they may contact me, XXXX XXXX, directly @ XXXX ext XXXX. Thank You '' Upon further review recently after submitting another complaint to the credit bureaus, some new information has come to light in regards to ProCollect. 

On XX/XX/XXXX the Department of Finance for the State of Idaho received a complaint from a resident about illegal debt collection practices from ProCollect. The Department of Finance issue a lawsuit against ProCollect ( XXXX : XXXX ) for acting as a debt collector without the proper state licensing. 

An active Cease and Desist was issued and served on XX/XX/XXXX advising ProCollect to cease all debt collection actions until proper state licensing can be obtained. 

ProCollect was actively purchasing debts in the State of Idaho before they received their State Licensing. This is also true in the State of Connecticut. 

As mentioned previously, ProCollect first reported to the credit agencies on XX/XX/XXXX, but did not obtain State licensing until XX/XX/XXXX. 
ProCollect has failed to uphold the FCRA by : 1. Not obtaining licensing when required 2. Harassing phone calls 3. Did not send proof of debt upon purchase of debt 4. Did not provide verification of debt, validation of debt 5. Reporting inaccurate information All these corrospodances have been documented with receipts, times, dates and outcomes. 

These complaints come with notice of intent to sue for illegal and malicious debt collection practices if the desired resolution is not met.

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