Consumer complaint received 2024-11-07
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: ProCollect, Inc. (KY)

Upon looking at my credit score it appears that this debt impacted it and thats how I even knew I had a debt to be payed. It was to my knowledge that if I forfeited my lease then my balances would be considered gone. Apparently thats not the case. Now this situation in its self is very complicated and I understand there were multiple times I couldve done something to change my fate but unfortunately Im very young with no prior understanding of a lease or what it means to not pay certain things. In XXXX of 2023 The complex reached out to me as an act to discuss my balance of {$200.00} that I had inquired in late fees or just a payment I didnt make in XXXX. Nonetheless when I returned in XXXX after the break I went to the office and spoke to the manager. She advice me that XXXX   XXXX had this one time waiver fee that would give me the {$200.00} I paid back to me. But in order to do that I had to pay that plus XXXX rent. They also advise me that any late fees I rack up in that time will be covered because I signed that form. Everything had to be payed by the last day in XXXX. I informed her of my financial situation and she instead that this would be a good idea and I should just make sure my school and job pay me on time. I worked in XXXX and I was expected to get payed before the due date of when I needed to pay the money to the apartment. I was in the clear with my job but unfortunately the amount they were going to pay me wasnt enough and I still wouldve been short. I told her and she asked me to ask friends and family and see if anyone would help me. I know trust a few friends and family to ask for money and unfortunately they all didnt have it I even had people who owed me money still and I asked them for the money they owed me and none of them could or would give it back at that time. The other issue was my school I called them to see when I was going to get my refund money but they informed me that because I already have my school payed for they can give me my money sooner and that it would be sent to me on XX/XX/XXXX which was 2 days after the date XXXX  XXXX and I agreed on. I informed XXXX ( XXXX  XXXX manager ) about the situation. I asked her if I could just pay with the money I currently have which was around {$800.00} and but amount I needed to pay was {$1000.00} I believe and she said the form I signed would t be null void and they wouldnt pay me the {$200.00} back or cover the late fees Ive gather and I would have to pay way more money. Obviously because I didnt want to pay more money then what we agreed I didnt pay with the money that I had and I waited. I continued to beg my school but they said I had to wait for XXXX because I didnt need the money sooner since my school was covered. Finally the time came which was XXXX and I begged XXXX to please extended the date so I can pay what we agreed. The amount of late fees that I had racked up by XX/XX/XXXX were so much that I only had enough money for what we agreed on. I asked her what could be done and she said I had to just pay everything at that point and our agreement was now voided. I tried to pay but they wouldnt let me pay on the resident app anymore. She said I could get a cashiers check, or a money order. Due to the fact that my bank wasnt in XXXX I couldnt get a check from them. Also money ordered apparently werent only sold at certain places and the 3 places I went were either closed or being difficult. I informed XXXX about all of this because she told me to keep her updated. Her communication towards the last week of XXXX and me finally leaving XXXX  XXXX was so horrible for a manager. A lot of things couldve been avoided or communicated better but she wasnt responding until hours to days on end later. Finally I asked her what options I could do now if I dont want to pay because I couldnt even do a payment plan at they point. And she informed me that I could just forfeit my lease. The crazy thing about all of this is that in XXXX I wanted to leave the XXXX  XXXX and I had no bills or anything to pay them I just hated the place and it had bugs but, they said they said I couldnt leave and if I did I would still have to pay rent. I thought this was crazy because I dont remember seeing this in my lease but it wasnt highlighted nor did they state this when I was signing. They mentioned everything else but the important stuff they practically hid stuff from me so I could sign my lease. They took advantage of my being naive and young. I know for a fact they couldnt be able to pull half the craziness they did if I was well knowledge in the world of owning a lease and living somewhere. But when I had a huge balance thats when they allowed me to leave which is very unfortunate. I decided to choose the last option in her email which said I could give up my lease and theyll just send everything to their other office. But the way she explained it made me believe that I was feeling if any payments and I can move on with my life. Unfortunately this wasnt true. Im writing this letter to plead with whomever is reading and can understand what its like to be hoodwinked and wrapped into a tricky situation. I understand at any point I didnt have to listen to XXXX or The complex and I couldve did my own thing but I was young and its their company so they know whats best, ( well at least thats what I thought ), I truly apologize that you guys even have to deal with such a situation but Im not a criminal I have done XXXX  XXXX no wrong. In fact I payed my bills on time and I was very rarely late. The sad part is that is wouldnt even mind paying the 1 and 1/2 month of rent I owed. But the complex failed me tremendously. I was a good tenant and I took care of their property and kept my apartment clean always. I look forward to hearing from you guys soon and hopefully we can come to a conclusion that works in everyones favor, Thank you, Account number : XXXX