Consumer complaint received 2018-10-01
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Debt Recovery Solutions, LLC (NJ)

Back in XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX I received multiple calls from different collection agencies and an agency named Debt Recovery Solutions , LLC placed an account on all 3 credit reports indicating I owed {$310.00} to XXXX. Since I had received calls from other collection agencies, I called XXXX directly to confirm what was owed. They reported that they had only given my account to 2 different collection agencies and denied providing my account to Debt Recovery Solutions. I asked to pay them directly for what was owed and on XX/XX/XXXX I paid {$300.00} to XXXX, which included balance owed {$290.00} plus fees. I was advised that all collection agencies would be notified that the balance was satisfied and that I would no longer receive any contact. The thing was, Debt Recovery Solutions had never contacted me via mail or phone, but they did place the collection account on my credit reports. 

I did not check my credit report for over a year. Around a month ago I was notified by XXXX XXXX that 2 new collection agencies had placed collection accounts on my credit reports. I disputed them immediately, knowing that I had satisfied the amount owed to XXXX and did not have any other accounts with them and had not received any services from XXXX in the past few years. One collection agency removed their account but Debt Recovery Solutions remained. 

Last month I called them and spoke to representative XXXX. I asked her to provide me with a written explanation of the amount owed. Although the account had been on my report for over a year, she advised me that they had just requested documents from XXXX to provide to me in the past month and they were never received. If I owe further money to XXXX, I will pay, however, it is my right to receive an explanation of benefits indicating what this collection agency is claiming that I owe. Despite the fact that this account has been on my account for over a year and did damage to my credit score the collection agency never reached out to me. According to XXXX, I must contact their agency via fax to request this and told her no, if you are claiming that I owe money to you, it is up to your organization to provide proof, especially considering that I paid funds that XXXX claimed I owed. 

Since I did not receive anything from Debt Recovery Solutions in the past few weeks I submitted a complaint to the XXXX requesting that the collection agency provide a written detailed explanation to me of what they claim I owe. They responded by asking me to prove what I paid to XXXX. I don't owe them any proof or money until they provide a written detailed explanation of the money they claim I owe. 

Please assist me with this. I have disputed this account with all 3 credit reporting agencies and they have refused to remove the account but they have also refused to provide written proof of what they claim I owe. I have called XXXX on multiple occasions but reps refuse to speak to me about this account because it was purchased by Debt Recovery Solutions , LLC. They state I must communicate directly with the collection agency. What is a consumer to do when the original creditor will not communicate with them and the collection agency is not communicating at all regarding their claims? This seems unfair, unethical, and illegal.