Consumer complaint received 2017-06-21
Company: Account Recovery Services, Inc.
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged

Complaint:
I pulled my credit report a couple of weeks ago. I saw a debt that was being handled by Account Recovery Services representing the Creditor XXXX XXXX.I called ARS on Monday XXXX XXXX and was told XXXX XXXX was handling my account and he wont be in until Thursday XXXX XXXX. I asked to speak with someone else and they said I am not allowed to speak with anyone else. They transferred me to his voicemail and I left a message. I called XXXX on Thursday and I was told I owed a debt to XXXX. I asked what are my options and if he has any papers showing the cause of the debt. XXXX replied he can get that information for me by reaching out to creditor. He also said I can negotiate the debt. I said how much? He said it doesnt work that way. I would have to say a number and then he will take that to the creditor ( XXXX ) and then would let me now if they accept. We ended the call with the next steps of getting why and what i 'm being charged and what XXXX would accept. On Monday XXXX XXXX I received a letter from ACR/XXXX showing me a ledger of fees broken down that I do not agree with. I asked him if he talked to XXXX about negotiating and he said I would have to talk with them directly to negotiate. I said why since you own the debt? XXXX replied that is " an urban myth '' that 80 % of collection companies do not own the debt. I said o.k. who do I call? He replied XXXX @ XXXX XXXX XXXX. I said who is XXXX? He said he works for XXXX. I said if he negotiates do I pay him or you? He said pay XXXX. ( I feel this is weird ) I ask XXXX to send me a letter stating this is what he wants me to do and he stated " I am not going to do that ; I am being difficult ; this call is being recorded ; and if you do n't want to do it I suggest you let it stay on your credit report until XXXX when it will drop ''! My mouth dropped open. I called XXXX on Monday XXXX XXXX and left a message. No response. I called XXXX on XXXX XXXX and no response. No voicemail to greet you just rings and goes to voicemail. When I XXXX XXXX 's number the BBB has it registered at a REALTY company. XXXX got sold a couple years back and the new ownership did not take their debt. Who is XXXX??? Why ca n't I negotiate this debt? Why is ARS not telling me or giving me the accurate information to the creditor? Please help me as this is hurting my credit and no one is helping. Also this debt was incurred for 1 months rent for about {$800.00} and they want {$3900.00}. Debt happened in XXXX/XXXX/XXXX did n't go on credit until XXXX/XXXX/XXXX. I called State attorney generals office and talked to XXXX who said she did not know the statute of limitations. I called the FTC reference # XXXX and they said call CFPB. I just received a phone call from XXXX. Same number that is in XXXX 's e-mail. It is XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( the controller ) was the representative I talked to and said XXXX was in charge. She asked me what I would be willing to settle and I told her XXXX was all I could afford because I only owed 1 month of rent and I am not working. Her next step was to call XXXX and to let me know hopefully by tomorrow if he can accept and update credit report through ARS.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation