Consumer complaint received 2017-01-18
Company: ProCollect, Inc.
State: MI
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not mine

Complaint:
Received a phone call from debt collector - ProCollect Inc - in XX/XX/XXXX which I ignored because I thought it was a scam. I have no debt and I have never had any debt. 
Subsequent calls were discussed with my parents who told me to ask for the details to be sent in writing. Internet search of ProCollect revealed they did collections for a number of apartment complexes nationwide. I assumed this may be the result of my last student housing from XX/XX/XXXX. 
Answered a call from ProCollect on XX/XX/XXXX. Asked what they were calling about - debt collection - and I requested verification and creditor name in writing. 
Received a letter from ProCollect dated XX/XX/XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. 
Creditor was named in the letter and it was my student apartment complex. I called the Creditor and attempted to discuss the issue with them. Specifically, why absolutely no communication directly with me or my roommate, nor even an attempt to reach us by phone or mail. They refused to discuss the matter with me and would not provide any documentation. They said we needed to deal with the debt collector. 
Responded with my own letter to ProCollect dated XX/XX/XXXX disputing the validity of the debt and requesting documents which, specifically define and describe the event ( s ) which caused the debt and copies of the documents, including receipts, descriptions and photographs. I also requested copies of maintenance records specific to the unit during the time period of our rental. There was significant damage from a plumbing leak in an adjacent unit which required repairs to our unit while we were tenants. In addition, company representatives were replacing doors and the bathroom tub/shower unit as we were moving out of the unit. We asked for photos of the " damage '' supposedly done by us. 
Received a letter from ProCollect dated XX/XX/XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX containing their file contents which consisted of " Move Out Statement '' from XXXX XXXX XXXX with the list of damages, but no details. Its language looks like it should have been presented to the tenants. This never occurred and would have been strenuously objected to if it had. Also contained copies of the front page of the Rental Application and the first page of the Lease Agreement. The Rental Application included my phone number, my email address and my home address. The Creditor made no attempt to contact me at any of these. 
I responded with another letter to ProCollect on XX/XX/XXXX detailing neither ProCollect nor the Creditor had presented any evidence a loss or debt was caused by our actions. I expected the Debt Collector to get the evidence from the Creditor because they would not speak with me. 
Received another letter from ProCollect dated XX/XX/XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, which was exactly the same letter and contents as the XX/XX/XXXX letter. 
I responded with another letter to ProCollect dated XX/XX/XXXX expressing my understanding that they were having difficulty getting the Creditor to provide my requested information and documentation, as they would not communicate with me either. I also mentioned we would wait until they were successful in obtaining the information. 
I have received no further communication from ProCollect. 
In XX/XX/XXXX I was unable to obtain a credit card to be used for business travel purposes for my new job. I assumed it was because I had no credit history because I have never had any debt. 
It was suggested by some friends that I request my credit reports. I was unable to do so with any of the credit agencies online through annualcreditreport.com and was told by the websites to request the reports using the Annual Credit Report Request Form. I sent the form to all XXXX agencies. 
Only XXXX provided a report. It contains a negative file from ProCollect which I have disputed. XXXX told me they only respond to Creditors and I need to " win '' my issues with them. They told me to contact the CFPB.

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