Consumer complaint received 2024-10-20
Product: Debt or credit management — Debt settlement
Issue: Charged upfront or unexpected fees — 
Company: Alorica Inc. (CA)

This complaint is in regards to the debt collector SST wrongfully charging me hundreds of dollars in interest on debt they acquired from XXXX XXXX, which was mishandled by XXXX in the midst of them going out of business. 

XX/XX/year> : XXXX XXXX XXXX approves a debt consolidation loan for me. Part of it is allocated to XXXX XXXX in the amount of {$15000.00}, the exact amount I owe to XXXX. XXXX mails XXXX a check to their listed address at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX with my information on it. 

XX/XX/year> : XXXX XXXX sends me an email that my account is late being paid. I immediately respond to them via email and explain that a check was sent. 

XX/XX/year> : XXXX staff responds via email that they are checking to see if the check was received. 

XX/XX/year> : I receive an email stating XXXX is shutting down, and all account debts are being transferred to SST on XX/XX/XXXX. It also states XXXX will stop taking payments on XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  and all further payments should be directed to SST. I emailed XXXX XXXX and follow up to see if they have received the check, as I did not hear back from them prior. They tell me they have no more information to share. I press the issue and tell them if they have not received my check, I will have to cancel the check. 

XX/XX/year> : XXXX XXXX replies and says they have not received the check and to cancel it by contacting my bank or creditor. 

XX/XX/year> : I receive notice via email that my XXXX debt amount ( {$15000.00} ) has been successfully transferred to SST, and I get my account information. I contact XXXX Personal Loans to cancel the check they made out to XXXX  and have the same amount sent to SST, with all my new SST account info, via XXXX online inbox option. I get a reply telling me to call. I call XXXX XXXX XXXX customer service line, explain the situation to the representative, and give her my new SST information, along with their mailing address, so the new check can be sent to SST. 

XX/XX/year> : I am notified by XXXX via my secure inbox that the loan disbursement I asked to be sent to SST has been addressed to me directly. 

XX/XX/year> : I receive a check in the mail from XXXX XXXX XXXX for {$15000.00}. This is highly confusing to me as I have them specific instruction to send the check to the creditor, SST. Thinking this may be an error on their part, I dont deposit the check. 

XX/XX/year> : SST deposits a mailed check in the amount of {$15000.00} to my account. The only proof I see is in my accounts transaction history ; there is no image of the check, check number, or where it came from. I notice the change to my SST account and believe XXXX sent a check to SST. 
My SST account states I still must pay {$490.00} in interest ( my payoff amount ). I deposit the check XXXX XXXX XXXX sent me via mobile deposit to my bank after checking the mobile deposit amount limits. The check clears in my account, but two holds- for two amounts adding up to the amount of the check- are placed on my account so the funds are not immediately accessible. 

XX/XX/year> : I notice the interest charge and write an email to SST noting that I should not be charged interest and that I will not be making further payments as they have been paid in full. I receive an automatic email reply to call SST during business hours. 

XX/XX/year> : I sent a follow up email response telling them my written correspondence should be sufficient information for them to close my account. SST calls me twice, and I do not answer. They leave a voicemail telling me to call them back. 

XX/XX/year> : SST responds to my email with a request to call them For your protection, Systems & Services Technologies , Inc. does not discuss individual account information via the internet. This policy prevents identity theft and secures your privacy. 

XX/XX/year> : SST calls me twice, and I do not answer. One of the calls has a voicemail telling me to call them back. I send them an email telling them to stop calling me and explain the situation in writing again. I tell them if the interest charge is not removed by XX/XX/XXXX, I will be calling. 

XX/XX/year> : SST calls me a combined total of 5 times from XXXX different phone numbers. I do not answer any of these calls. They do not leave voicemails. 

XX/XX/year> : SST sends me an email with an attached document - no password protection or login to my secure account necessary - stating the check they cashed had been returned. They had deposited the stopped check addressed to XXXX, and it was returned. 

XX/XX/year>, end of day : Both parts of the XXXX XXXX XXXX check are now clear and accessible in my checking account. 

XX/XX/year> : I deposit the amount of {$15000.00} to SST from my checking account. I receive a confirmation and keep record of it. 

XX/XX/year> : SST sends me a new monthly statement via email, with a new interest total of {$660.00}. SST calls me from a ( XXXX ) area code phone number. I do not answer, and they dont leave a voicemail. 

XX/XX/year> : I send SST a very thorough email outlining every detail of the situation and our recent interactions. I make it clear to them how dissatisfied I am and how I believe they are trying to take advantage of me. I tell them I see them calling, but I will not answer and that I want everything between us in writing in case I need to involve an attorney. 

SST has not responded to my email and has called me again on XX/XX/XXXX and XXXX. I did not answer, and they did not leave voicemails.