Consumer complaint received 2016-03-23
Company: Torres Credit Services, Inc.
State: CO
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt
Sub-issue: Not given enough info to verify debt

Complaint:
I was called XX/XX/XXXX by XXXX XXXX concerning a bill incurred by my son for {$940.00}. I had forgotten that I had signed for him to get electricity in 2004. The account was closed XXXX XXXX, and the due date on the bill was XXXX XXXX. XXXX from billing told me to make a {$100.00} payment on or before XXXX XXXX. I made a {$100.00} payment on XXXX XXXX. I tried calling to let XXXX know I would be making another payment 2 times on or around XXXX XXXX, but she was not available. I called and spoke to XXXX on XXXX XXXX for XXXX minutes trying to understand my bill. She transferred me to a manager named XXXX, # XXXX at my urging. After XXXX hours on the phone with XXXX, he agreed to send me via email an itemized bill showing me the amount of each month 's bill withheld due to " Balanced Billing '', so I knew what I was paying for. He said it would take 21 days max. He also told me not to worry ... .that as long as I was making payments XXXX would not send it over to Collections. On XXXX XXXX, another payment of XXXX was made by my son. I trusted him to begin making payments, and as soon a I realized he was not complying, I made XXXX more payments to my Reliant account online in the amount of {$50.00} on XXXX XXXX and XXXX. I was about to make another {$50.00} payment when I received a call from Torres Collections on XXXX XXXX informing me that my bill was placed in Collections on XXXX XXXX and demanded payment. I informed them that I had to call XXXX and would call them back. 

I called XXXX and asked to talk to a Supervisor. I spoke to XXXX, and she told me I had to deal with Torres Collections and was not able to answer any of my questions. I was exhausted and felt powerless and discouraged. So I waited the week-end and called Torres on Monday, XXXX XXXX. I spoke to XXXX, and she told me they can no longer delete a bad credit report due to a recent Federal Law, even if the bill is paid in full. I requested a credit report and found my credit had been ruined. I worked hard on a minimal salary averaging about {$13000.00} a year my whole life trying to build good credit and never paid a bill late. Then I asked XXXX if there was any way I could " settle '' the bill. She came back with XXXX {$140.00} payments due XXXX, XXXX and XXXX, which meant {$180.00} off the current bill of {$600.00}. XXXX asked me for a credit card number. I asked her at least 5 times if she could send me a written copy of the bill and agreement. She said that she was not allowed to send me any information. I asked her, " How can I trust you without the agreement in writing? ", especially since XXXX said one thing and did another. And she said she worked for XXXX. I told her I would call XXXX again and try again to get them to take the bill off my credit report. Instead I made a call to your agency. Please help me so I can get my credit restored with the least amount of stress. I was, and am willing, to pay my debts.

Company response to consumer: Closed