Consumer complaint received 2024-10-25
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUTSOURCING, INC. (DC)

XX/XX/XXXX To whom it XXXX concern, I am writing to formally dispute the claim regarding alleged carpet damage for which I have been held responsible. I am confident that I did not cause any damage to the carpet in question, and XXXX has provided no supporting evidence to substantiate this claim. 
Despite multiple attempts to resolve this matter directly, XXXX XXXX XXXX ceased responding to my communications and then transferred my account to collections without further explanation. Upon being contacted by collections, I engaged my attorney, who sent a formal response on my behalf. However, we have yet to receive any reply or acknowledgment of that correspondence. 

I request that you review this dispute. 

In the letter I wrote to XXXX XXXX XXXX, I stated that, as per the Apartment Lease Contract which was fully executed on XX/XX/XXXX, tenants are held liable for damages beyond ordinary wear and tear. However, I firmly believe that the condition of the carpet upon my departure did not warrant charges as any damage present could have been inherited from the previous tenant. 

During my tenancy, I took great care to maintain the premises in accordance with the terms of the lease contract. However, upon move-in, there was no possible way for me to inspect the underneath of the carpet. I was not even able to view the unit itself before moving in, as it was too damaged by the prior tenant when the viewing was scheduled. XXXX agent XXXX showed me XXXX XXXX, a similar unit XXXX floor above ours, because of this damage by the prior tenant to room XXXX ( the room we ended up renting ). I assured them that I did not contribute to any further deterioration to the unit, especially considering the fact that my bed was over the portion of the carpet they were claiming I damaged, which would make it impossible for it to have been my fault. 


I also respectfully requested detailed documentation regarding the condition of the carpet prior to my occupancy, including photographs or an inspection report conducted at that time. With only pictures at the end of my tenancy having been provided, it is impossible to determine if it resulted from myself or the previous tenant. Additionally, I pointed out that I did not report stains underneath the carpet at the time of my move in because ordinarily people do not check there. Since it is XXXX, there is no preponderance of evidence. It is imperative to establish the baseline condition of the carpet before attributing any damages to my tenancy. 

Furthermore, I emphasized the importance of fairness and accountability in resolving such matters. As a responsible tenant, I fulfilled my obligations under the lease agreement, including the return of the premises in a satisfactory condition, aside from ordinary wear and tear. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX then sent me to collections who then proceeded to harassed me, my partner XXXX XXXX, and both sets of our parents. 

In the letter my lawyer wrote to the collections agency which got no response we requested detailed information regarding the debt referenced. 

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), I am entitled to request and receive validation of the debt they are attempting to collect. My lawyer asked them to please provide the following documentation to verify the legitimacy and accuracy of this debt : XXXX. **Documentation of the Creditor : ** - The name of the original creditor. 
- The name of the current creditor or owner of the debt. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX : ** - My last account number with the original creditor. 

XXXX. **Evidence of XXXX : ** - A copy of the signed contract, signed application, or other documents providing evidence of the date the debt was incurred. 
- The date of my last payment, if applicable. 

XXXX. **Itemized XXXX : ** - XXXX itemized accounting of the amount claimed to be owed, including : - The amount of the principal. 
- The amount of any interest, fees, or charges added by the original creditor, a debt collector, or a subsequent owner of the debt. 

My lawyer ended the letter by stating Please send the requested information to me at the address provided above. Until I receive the requested validation, I request that you cease all collection activities pertaining to this account. Additionally, I would like to remind you that certain income or resources are protected from being taken by debt XXXX. These XXXX include, but are not limited to, Social Security, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), XXXX or unemployment benefits, veteran 's benefits, or child support payments. If you attempt to collect from these protected sources, I will seek further legal advice and potentially take legal action. 

I would like to reiterate and emphasize that this letter my lawyer sent to the collections agency was never responded to. 

In conclusion, I maintain that the carpet damage claim lacks substantive evidence, as no proof has been provided to link the alleged damage to my tenancy, and prior tenant wear and tear was not ruled out. I have made every effort, both independently and with legal support, to address this matter fairly and transparently. However, XXXX XXXX XXXX 's failure to respond to my inquiries, coupled with the collections agencys lack of response to my attorneys formal request for debt validation, has made it difficult to resolve this dispute. 

I respectfully request that my dispute be reviewed in full. Thank you for your attention and cooperation in this matter.