Consumer complaint received 2016-03-24
Company: Aldous & Associates, PLLC
State: UT
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Taking/threatening an illegal action
Sub-issue: Threatened arrest/jail if do not pay

Complaint:
On XXXX I was notified via email from a XXXX of Aldous & Associates P.L.L.C. XXXX, Utah XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX that he is to collect a {$1400.00} balance for a defaulted lease agreement from me. I provided information showing that we did not default on our lease agreement in an email that I received from the apartments on XXXX from the property manager, XXXX, XXXX, Or XXXX XXXX, XXXX. Then on XXXX I received another email from a XXXX of Aldous & Associates P.L.L.C. trying to collect this money. Again I provided information that we had not defaulted on our lease agreement. Then on XXXX I spoke to XXXX from Aldous & Associates and he stated that I now owed an amount just under {$2000.00}. When I asked him to please provide the details of the debt he refused and stated that I clearly did not want to pay this debt and he would have me arrested and jailed for the debt. It appears that the apartment complex was billing us for additional move out costs and I was under the impression that this was taken care of due to the circumstances. We fulfilled our lease agreement in XXXX XXXX and it was confirmed by the apartment manager on XXXX XXXX XXXX this to be the case. We had actually moved out early and arranged for a final walk through, however the apartment office staff neglected to show up. After waiting for hours, my witness and I drove to the office to find it closed. I had to put my keys in the drop box with a letter and my forwarding address, confirmed in an email by the apartment manager on XXXX. I was not able to return due to leaving town and being on a time schedule. We left the apartment locked. What happened after dropping the keys in the box and to the apartment we vacated is not known to myself, my witness or my roommate. Later I get an email from a XXXX XXXX on XXXX that we owed {$260.00}. We went back and forth in emails, I understood that they would bill my renters insurance and that this would be taken care of but I did not agree with the charges as I left the apartment in good condition other than normal wear and tear. I did bring to the attention of XXXX on XXXX that if he was talking about this {$260.00} that I thought was taken care of since I have never received anything more in the mail regarding this, that I wanted to know how it went from {$260.00} to just under {$2000.00}, a 750 % increase. When I asked him to verify this and provide documentation, he then told me that the attorney will be handling this case and I will receive a call from the attorney. To this date I have not received a call, nor have I received any documentation to substantiate the 750 % increase, or proof that I violated a lease agreement when I have a email from the apartment manager stating that my lease agreement was completed. XXXX and XXXX both from Aldous & Associates have refused to provide me with the information I have requested and have violated my rights and the FDCPA. This shows up on our credit reports as of XXXX as a debt just under {$2000.00}. My attempts to have it removed, validated, documentation for the 750 % as of XXXX have not been successful. Additionally, being threatened to be arrested, jailed and the attorney will be handling my case and calling me were all violations of the FDCPA. I am unclear as to what the debt is for because I can not get it verified. I do not know if it is that {$260.00} or if they are trying to collect on a defaulted lease agreement which would be fraudulent and not the case, again verified by the apartment manager on XXXX that we met the terms of our lease agreement.

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