Consumer complaint received 2020-06-19
Company: Midwest Recovery Systems
State: IA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was paid

Complaint:
Since the beginning of XX/XX/XXXX, I've been receiving phones calls from Midwest Recovery Systems. Each time they call, it's an automated recording saying I need to call XXXX, never once an actual person to speak with. therefore I never called back, thinking to myself this was a hoax or theft of some sort. Yesterday, after several calls from Midwest Recovery I decided to call the number back. After a long hold time was stated, I disconnected the call thinking I could try back later. Not even a minute later, a representative from Midwest Recovery called me back. This representative asked for my ssn to identify myself, but I refused since I didn't know what this was regarding. she verified my date of birth then proceeded to tell me I was in collections for {$400.00}. I informed the representative that I didn't know what she was talking about and she refused to give me any information about this except that it was with XXXX. I told her there are several XXXX XXXX in the XXXX XXXX area, she again refused any telephone number for me to call. she said it was regarding an outstanding debt from XXXX for my son. she did not provide the exact date of service, and I would have to call XXXX  for any further information. I reiterated there are lots of XXXX   medical providers in our area -- she refused any further information, except she did add XXXX  XXXX XXXX and something regarding XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and that I must pay so this is removed from my credit report -- which upset me because I would not let a balance like this go unpaid -- and if I did -- it was something I wasn't aware of. 
right of way I started XXXX  what numbers to call to find the right XXXX  in XXXX XXXX. I placed an inquiry on XXXX  's website requesting a call asap, but that never happened. first thing this morning XX/XX/XXXX I XXXX  more. I located a telephone number to XXXX  and the representative informed me that all my bills for my son have been paid with XXXX, I asked about XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and I was provided with telephone number XXXX. I called this number immediately. I explained my situation, and the calls I was receiving from Midwest recovery -- and I didn't want to pay for something that wasn't legit so I need more information so I know what is going on. The rep was quick to say that her system didn't go back to XXXX, only XXXX she told me that I must call Midwest recovery and demand more information. I did that. I placed another call to Midwest recovery and spoke with a gentleman who gave me a little more information. he emailed me an Estatement from  Midwest recovery systems. after this call I placed another call to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and the same rep that said her system only went back to XXXX ... at this point I am frustrated. I am being given very little information about what this debt is for, being talked down to by Midwest recovery systems like I am a criminal, then being expected to just pay {$400.00} without explanation for what? so the collector can her their incentive ( I was a collector before so I know all about the incentives ). 
but finally the lady with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX put me on hold and located my file. I insisted that I didn't know anything about this and I would not intentionally ignore this type of correspondence and to have this all of a sudden appear in XX/XX/XXXX blows my mind. she said that they mail statements to ( my old address, I moved in XX/XX/XXXX ) she said that I called them about a financial hardship and that I would file a dispute with my insurance company and see if this was processed correctly. she also claimed that they never heard back from me. 
I told the rep that this started to sound familiar but I know that I either wrote a check to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  or something. so after a little longer, the rep informed me that she located in her system that I did in fact make a payment to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX she then proceeded to tell me I needed to call XXXX but she would transfer me. the lady answered XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX. I was very frightened by this. I never experienced anything financially with a law office before. At this point I didn't know what I was supposed to do. The rep at XXXX XXXX XXXX  just transferred me here and said that I am supposed to say I paid this bill. 
Finally after this lady verified me ( I was hesitant to do so because she wanted my social security number -- red flags were up ) but this lady ( XXXX ) was very nice. she said that XXXX XXXX  XXXX was an inhouse representative for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  .... I once again told her my dilemma and how I hated Midwest recovery systems and this whole situation. I informed her this was paid, gave her dates, and offered her transaction numbers from my checking account from this transaction ( I did find my checking account statement from this and the payment was processed my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) she verified with that it was a visa debit card. I told her that I had to take a 401k loan to pay this off and I am just overwhelmed with anxiety over this. she promised me that an email would be sent to the proper contacts and I have to wait for 20 days for this to be resolved. I don't have 20 days for this to be resolved, I am needing a new vehicle and a {$400.00} outstanding medical bill in collections certainly won't help me get approved for a loan. 
So after this call, I immediately called Midwest recovery systems. I informed them that this debt is not owed, gave the date the {$400.00} was paid. the lady who took the call kept insisting that if this debt was paid the hospital would not have sent to collections. over and over, I told this rep that two companies have made a mistake -- this has been paid XXXX, I told her to send this information to her supervisor. she refused to offer that assistance. INSISTED that the debt is owed and if I want to provide proof this was paid then I need to send that in to her company. I told her that if I receive another call from her company I will seek an attorney because after today I am fed up with them. she kept saying over and over that if this debt was in fact paid, her company would not have my file. I demanded this to be removed from my credit report and that if she would just send this to her supervisor maybe to investigate this a little further then this would be resolved. but the representative did not offer any assistance other than trying to provide me with an email address that I can send my proof of this being paid

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation