Consumer complaint received 2017-08-31
Company: Aldous & Associates, PLLC
State: CT
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report

Complaint:
This is regarding an adverse account item logged to my XXXX credit report on XX/XX/XXXX in the amount of {$190.00} filed by Aldous and Associates on behalf of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and the resulting recalculation of my FICO score from XXXX to XXXX. The derogatory credit item is invalid and I disputed it with XXXX in XXXX as soon as I was alerted by my bank. They responded back that the item was verified as accurate. When I called to get the particulars about the investigation, as disclosed as an entitlement in the letter, the associate responded that the investigation is purely electronic. They simply contact the collection agency electronically for verification without any independent evaluation of the accuracy of the disputed charge. Whatever is reported is assumed to be accurate and as a consumer I have no ability to refute the claim. 

The circumstance of the disputed charge is as follows : I signed up with XXXX XXXX for month to month membership at a cost of $ XXXX/month. After an unexplained XXXX on the treadmill on XX/XX/XXXX, resulting in a visit to the Emergency Room, I was advised by my doctor to discontinue my workouts until a full XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX could be scheduled. Upon receiving that advice, I immediately called XXXX XXXX to terminate my membership. I had paid in advance for the month and had no outstanding balance. They urged me to come in to speak with an associate regarding the termination but after explaining the circumstance of my situation, the associate agreed to terminate my membership on the phone. Approximately 7 months later, I received a collection letter from Aldous and Associates on behalf of XXXX XXXX claiming a delinquent balance and collection fee in the amount of {$250.00}. I made multiple calls to XXXX XXXX and to Aldous Associates in attempt to resolve the dispute. They were unable to explain the charge and were extremely rude to me, talking over me, threatening to destroy my credit, and even hanging up on me. They did not respond to my letters. 

Attached is a copy of the Explanation of Benefits from my health insurance company documenting the emergency room visit and XXXX testing from XX/XX/XXXX. An examination of the XXXX XXXX records will show that I have not visited the XXXX since that day. Also enclosed is my credit card statement showing two payments to XXXX XXXX for {$10.00} covering the months of XXXX and XXXX, XXXX. 

I request that this false item be removed from my credit report immediately, and that my credit score be restored to its prior-calculated value. I have had over 40 years of perfect credit, and it is inconceivable to me that an unsupported claim by a disreputable collection agency and local fitness studio for an erroneous {$190.00} charge should be allowed to diminish my credit score which has been consistently over XXXX for many years.

Company public response: Company believes complaint caused principally by actions of third party outside the control or direction of the company
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation