Consumer complaint received 2020-10-26
Company: Bridgecrest Acceptance Corporation
State: MD
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Auto debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
Vehicle was sold to repair shop by way of verbal agreement on a conference call in XXXX, XXXX after mechanic stated it was useless to repair and that there is an option for a mechanic to purchase from the finance company. I provided mechanic with account number and contact info. In XXXX, XXXX during a mortgage process a collection agency named XXXX appeared on my credit report and when I made inquiry discovered it was listed on behalf of auto finance company Bridgecrest in the amount of {$19000.00}. Phoned Bridgecrest since I knew I had participated in selling the vehicle to the mechanic. I spoke w/Ms XXXX ( Bridgecresst ) and learned that the mechanic contacted them a month later ( approx XX/XX/XXXX ) and changed his mind and made a demand for storage fees which were paid to him by Bridgecrest. Company made no attempt to contact me to inform me of this change. During this call I was informed vehicle was sold at auction in XX/XX/XXXX for {$3400.00} When asked why they didn't notify me, MsXXXX XXXX stated that after the sale a letter of intent was sent to an expired address which is not the last address they had on file OR the address they last made contact to me via mail and once when they repossessed the vehicle - they were absolutely aware of my current address, contact information, email, etc. and purposely ignored the information, in my opinion. Bridgecrest instructed me to contact collection agency XXXX, provided phone number and stated Bridgecrest couldnt discuss any further as they no longer have the acct details. I made multiple attempts to reach XXXX, the collection agency and once contact was made, they informed me they did not have the acct by my social or acct number and they would have had it even if the account no longer existed and was unsure why they were appearing on my credit file. I disputed the account w/both credit bureaus where it appeared and the account was ultimately removed as not valid. Three weeks passed and I restarted the mortgage process the account was then added the one credit bureau ( XXXX ) which it wasn't originally listed and I made no dispute. It was recorded on my credit file as Bridgecrest, and both collection agencies XXXX and XXXX XXXX at the same time. I disputed the account and XXXX XXXX replied valid account. I made several subsequent calls to Bridgecrest who are refusing to discuss who actually holds the account or the history of how it appears now as a collection. My position is that they contributed to this debt by not properly informing me of any subsequent steps of this process once the mechanic changed his mind about the purchase. This continues to be further unresolved as my many attempts to XXXX XXXX have no resolve. I attained the contact information and was informed that they are the owners of the account but outsource the collections. XXXX XXXX than provided me with a contact number and stated We are not permitted to discuss the specifics of the account once out-sourced. The contact information is for a company similar in name to the original disputed collection agency XXXX. Once I contacted this new collection agency I was informed by the rep that no collection activity was started for this account or could be found but if I would provide my phone number, social, mailing address and what I'd like to do with the account they would create a file and assign it to someone to begin collection activity. I decided against providing this information, rather went back to XXXX XXXX. This has been since XX/XX/XXXX where I have left multiple voicemail messages - they use an answering machine only and through their website where there is an option to submit complaints, issues or concerns on their portal. This unresolve for an erroneous debt is causing me extreme hardship. Bridgecrest, XXXX XXXX are erroneously reporting at the same time multiple collections for one single account. They are being a barrier to me resolving. In addition the amount is incorrect and reflects nothing sold at auction deducted from the account. The balance remains the same from original purchase in XXXX, XXXXwith no record of payments or deduction of original balance of {$18000.00}. - balance is actually higher than purchase price. I began attempting to resolve this since XXXX XXXX and have yet to receive a return call or assistance of any kind.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation