Consumer complaint received 2021-06-16
Company: Altitude Community Law P.C.
State: CO
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
In XXXX of XXXX in XXXX, CO, a hailstorm caused an undisclosed amount of damage to a number of properties. In XXXX of XXXX, due to adjustments made to the community 's insurance policy, the HOA 's insurance failed to cover the damage, presenting residents with a bill that exceeded {$10000.00}. 
I purchased this property in XXXX of XXXX. When presented with this debt, I contacted my insurance company and since I was not the property owner, and my insurance policy didnt even exist at the time the damage occured, they were unable to accept the claim. My insurance agent also inquired why this debt was sent to me at all, as the HOA failed to disclose these upcoming repairs when I finalized the sale on my property on XX/XX/XXXX. 

I received a letter stating that I could contest the validity of this debt, which I did immediately. I asked repeatedly for a verification of the debt, specifically asking for any paperwork, documentation-any type of proof that I was actually responsible for this debt. I was trying to get as much information as I could as to how the debt was assessed to me, and where in the HOA handbook, or legal documentation on their website would I refer to for this information.

I was ignored every single time. The HOA board had no idea if I was actually responsible, and resumed sending a typed letter with a bill attached, which I contested each time. 
Sometime in XXXX, I received notification that the debt had been turned over to HOA 's law firm, Altitude Community Law, for debt collection purposes. Upon receiving another typed letter and an identical bill sent by my HOA, I immediately contested the debt, as I did not find the information they provided as substantial enough to where I could make an informed decision. Soon after I was notified that a lien had been placed on my property, and I again requested more information beyond the vague bill and a letter.

None was provided.

I have repeatedly contested the debt with the law firm. I'm not even sure what to ask for, but they have been no help in any way whatsoever, providing no information at all about the debt aside from that they will continue to pursue further actions to collect the debt if I don't agree to pay them immediately.

I'm simply asking how the debt was assessed to me, and if I am even legally responsible, and for 11 months this information has not been provided to me. I have never agreed to accept this debt, have repeatedly asked for more information, and my requests for detailed verification have not been addressed to my satisfaction. 
I received a letter on XX/XX/XXXX as a response to my dispute, and they failed to address any of my concerns, repeating that if I did not agree to pay them immediately they would pursue further action. I emailed the law firm again, constesting the debt and requesting more information. 
I received an email on XX/XX/XXXX, again threatening legal action of I did not pay them immediately, and again providing a debt " verification '' that I did not find to be acceptable amount of information. If the debt is mine, why can't they provide any proof to the person they feel is responsible for it. 
The present bill states I owe {$12000.00}, which I refuse to pay unless i get full disclosure as how and why this debt was assessed to me. I feel as if I'm being threatened and cheated into accepting the responsibility of this debt, as the law firm is adding late fees and attorney fees routinely without providing any substantial information I've been asking for.

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