Consumer complaint received 2019-02-27
Company: ProCollect, Inc.
State: IN
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 around XXXX ( EST ), XXXX XXXX received an automated call from ProCollect ( See pdf XXXX ProCollect Call Summaries. ) On XX/XX/XXXX around XXXX ( EST ), XXXX XXXX called back the message and spoke with a representative who was unable to provide much information regarding an alleged debt ( {$91.00} ) that XXXX XXXX owed and stated that written correspondence was generated and hung up on XXXX XXXX as he continued to try to obtain clarification about the alleged debt. XXXX XXXX immediately called XXXX back and spoke with a Supervisor who stated that XXXX XXXX owed an outstanding Debt from XXXX XXXX XXXX  despite him never having been sent any correspondence via US Mail or Email with XXXX XXXX XXXX  as he had corresponded with them hundreds of times in the past ( see pdf XXXX Previous Email Correspondence ). XXXX XXXX corresponded that he had had mail forwarding through the US Post Office ( see pdf XXXX USPS Change of Address Confirmation and XXXXUSPS Mail Hold ) to his new address and never received any correspondence from XXXX XXXX XXXX  about any outstanding debt owed. The Supervisor stated that the XXXX was allegedly mailed to XXXX XXXX at his old address, but she was unable to provide proof of returned mail nor explain why it was never forwarded to XXXX XXXX or sent to him at his email address like previous correspondence from XXXX XXXX XXXX. The Supervisor stated that verification of the Debt would be mailed by ProCollect to XXXX XXXX via US Mail. The Supervisor stated that the alleged debt was reported as delinquent on XXXX XXXX credit report by ProCollect. During both telephone calls, XXXX XXXX stated that he wanted all correspondence regarding this matter to be sent to him via email or US. Mail and not via telephone. 

On XX/XX/XXXX around XXXX ( EST ), XXXX XXXX received another automated call from XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX emailed ProCollect indicating again his 2nd request that ProCollect not contact him on his telephone number but rather only via email or US Mail ( see pdfs XXXX XXXX - ProCollect ( 2nd Warning re_ Telephone Calls ) and XXXX XXXX - Re_ ProCollect ( 2nd Warning re_ Telephone Calls ) Amended ) On XX/XX/XXXX around XXXX ( EST ), XXXX XXXX received a letter from ProCollect ( dated XX/XX/XXXX ) ( see pdf XXXXProCollect Letter ) alleging that he had an outstanding debt with Lease Term Insurance Group in the amount of {$91.00} and that ProCollect had been referred the account by the original creditor and that XXXX XXXX had 30 days from the date he receives the letter to dispute its validity. On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX sent a letter to ProCollect via email and US mail ( see pdf XXXXProCollect Letter ) disputing the validity of this reported debt and request that ProCollect send me verification of the debt. XXXX XXXX also stated again that he requested all correspondence regarding this matter be sent to him only via email or US. Mail. 

On XX/XX/XXXX around XXXX ( EST ), XXXX XXXX received a letter packet from ProCollect ( dated XX/XX/XXXX ) ( see pdf XXXX ProCollect Debt Letter ) indicating that our client contends this is a true and valid debt and the attached is the information you requested. On page 7 of the packet, in a very difficult to read discolored page, it states that XXXX XXXX owed {$41.00} for Final Bill and {$50.00} for Cleaning Fees. It is also hand written on the page that on XX/XX/XXXX mailed to address here never forwarded. The remainder of the pages contained unrelated apartment lease documents which did not pertain to the alleged debt. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX submitted yet another dispute letter packet indicating that the information sent by ProCollect does NOT contain any information as the details of this reported debt. The only reference to this reported balance due of {$91.00} is on one page ( very poor quality see attachment ) of the numerous irrelevant documents sent and it merely states that there is a {$50.00} charge for cleaning fees and a {$41.00} charge for final bill. On the line above these charges, it is difficult to read but I believe it states, trash left in garage, clean toilet, bathtub, floors and kitchen pics attached. On this same document, it is handwritten that mailed to address here, never forwarded. XXXX XXXX further details I dispute that any bill was sent to me as I had a mail hold and forwarding to my new address from XX/XX/XXXX onwards ( see attachments ). I received numerous pieces of forwarded mail during the Fall of XX/XX/XXXX at my current address in Indiana but never received anything from XXXX XXXX. It is likely that XXXX XXXX XXXX did not actually mail any Invoice/Bill to me. Ironically, XXXX XXXX and I communicated periodically via email during my XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX leasing term but I never received any email regarding this matter. XXXX XXXX also had my telephone number, but I never received any calls or voicemails from them. The first that I heard of this reported bill is during my telephone conversation with ProCollect on XX/XX/XXXX. 
I am writing again to request the detailed bills for the cleaning fees and final bill. I dispute that these are valid bills for me as I never received them and still have not received details about what the bills are for. Regarding the reported cleaning fees, I took time stamped pictures of the apartment prior to moving out which proves that the apartment was in the same condition as move in. Regarding the trash that was left in the garage ; a representative from XXXX XXXX stated that the item would be taken to the local XXXX ( see attached email ). I look forward to receiving communication from ProCollect either 1 )  validating that this reported bill is frivolous and invalid or 2 ) the actual original invoice/bill for the final bill and cleaning fees that detail the charges assessed to me and the reasons they were assessed. The information sent by ProCollect on XX/XX/XXXX does not provide validation of the reported bill. 

As of the date of this CFPB complaint [ XX/XX/XXXX ], XXXX XXXX has never received any further correspondence from ProCollect but has continued to falsely report derogatory remarks on XXXX XXXX credit history ( see pdf XXXX ProCollect on XXXX XXXX )

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