Consumer complaint received 2015-07-19
Company: GULF COAST COLLECTION BUREAU, INC.
State: FL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Medical
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not mine

Complaint:
I was contacted by a collection agency in XX/XX/XXXX. After I received their letter, I requested that they validate this debt. 

I contacted XXXX XXXX Hospital ; however, they refused to provide me with written documentation. 

I contacted the collection agency and faxed a copy of my driver 's license. The collection agency confirmed that I did not sign this contract and that I am not an obligor for this medical service. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, Gulf Coast Collection placed me for collection. The copy of my credit report is attached. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, Gulf Coast Collection sent me a validation letter ( the copy is attached ) ; but, at that point, I had already been placed in collection for one month, which is a violation of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act 809. 


Gulf Coast Collection placed me for collection before initial communication occurred, in violation of the law. 

Since XX/XX/XXXX, I have not received any supporting documents from either XXXX XXXX Hospital nor Gulf Coast Collection Agency. 

I filed a complaint with the XXXX against Gulf Coast Collection Agency. Gulf Coast Collection Agency refused to remove my account from reporting to credit reporting agencies and I have not received any supporting documents for this alleged debt from Gulf Coast Collection Agency. 

I demand deletion of this debt from my credit history. I request that you review the abusive practice of debt collection from Gulf Coast Collection Agency. I never signed an agreement for these medical services. Gulf Coast Collection Agency and XXXX Hospital both refused to provide a copy of a signed agreement, because there is none. Both companies violated the Act, and are still reporting this debt, for which I am not legally obligated. 
The Gulf Coast Bureau is not accredited by the XXXX. 
Case # XXXX was filed with the Florida XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
The debt collector reported an unverified account under my name on XX/XX/XXXX. Subsequently, the debt validation letter was mailed three weeks later on XX/XX/XXXX ( attached ) which is in violation of the requirement that a debt collector is not allowed to report an unverified account. 
I sent a letter to XXXX XXXX Hospital on XXXX. XXXX XXXX Hospital telephoned me in response. Although I requested all communication in written format, the hospital confirmed over the telephone that I have no financial responsibility for this account. 
I have never received a written response to my request, and over XXXX days have passed since my request. 
To date the debt collector has failed to provide : * An explanation of what the money owed is for. 

* An explanation of how the amount owed was calculated ; * Copies of any agreements signed obligating me to pay for the debt ; * Copies or other verification of any judgment ; * Identification who the original creditor of the debt was ; * Provide verification that the collection agency is licensed to collect in my state ; and* Provide the office 's valid license number and registered agent. 

Gulf Coast Collection failed to provide in a timely manner the required supporting documents as is required by law, failed to remove the disputed item, and failed to verify the debt. I never signed/authorized/approved this medical service. XXXX XXXX Hospital has my phone number and address on file. However, XXXX XXXX Hospital never contacted me to authorize this medical service. 

I contacted XXXX XXXX Hospital in XX/XX/XXXX, and in XX/XX/XXXX and XXXX XXXX Hospital confirmed that I do not owe money for this medical service. I never signed this contract/service/account. I discovered this only after receiving a collection agency report to my credit profile. I am not the financially liable party for this account.

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