Consumer complaint received 2024-06-08
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: Rowland Avenue Management, Inc. A/KA Columbia Debt Recovery, LLC d/b/a Genesis (CA)

Genesis is knowingly and fraudulently attempting to collect on an amount that has already been satisfied with the original creditor last year in XX/XX/XXXX and refuses to close the collection account. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, my wife and I both received a collections email from Columbia Debt Recovery d/b/a Genesis ( Genesis ) for {$250.00} bearing 7 % interest per annum for Carpet and Cleaning Fees pertaining to a lease with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, which is owned and operated by XXXX. The cleaning and carpet fees are associated with a lease for apartment XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Genesis provided a Summary of move-out charges on XXXX letterhead showing Carpet and Cleaning Fees of {$250.00}, attached. On XX/XX/XXXX, we responded to Genesis via email to Genesis provided email address disputing the validity of the collection amount as the full amount had already been satisfied with the original creditor. We furnished to Genesis a copy of the final move out statement, dated XX/XX/XXXX, provided to us by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX employee, with a matching move-out date and unit number to the summary of move-out charges provided by Genesis. In this final move-out statement, which lists both myself and my wife as leaseholders, it is clear that both the Carpet and Cleaning Fees were charged out of our security deposit. In fact, we were charged {$270.00} for the combined fees ( see attached Provided to Genesis - Final Statement from XXXX XXXX XXXX  At the end of the statement, a refund amount of {$91.00} from our original security deposit was due and issued to us by XXXX XXXX We also provided to Genesis a copy of the deposit refund check we received from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX}, dated XX/XX/XXXX, proving the validity of the final move-out statement ( See attached Provided to Genesis - Check Copy from XXXX XXXX XXXX  We requested that Genesis close and confirm the closure of our collection account as they were attempting to collect on an invalid amount that had already been paid in prior year XX/XX/XXXX. After receiving no response from Genesis, we called Genesis on XX/XX/XXXX to inquire about the status of our collection account. The agent on the phone acknowledged that our ledger balance provided by their client, XXXX, was {$0.00} and saw that the Carpet and Cleaning Fees had already been satisfied. However, rather than closing our collection account, he indicated our file would be sent to final review. We called Genesis back on XX/XX/XXXX and spoke to the same agent who, much to our dismay, did not recall our case nor did he forward our documents for final review. Rather, he mentioned he would forward our call to a manager but after waiting for fifteen minutes or so, he returned to the line and provided unclear and confusing instructions on when a manager would be available. When we pressed to speak to a manager, he became irritated and said to call back anytime, just not now. Recognizing that Genesis had no intention of helping to resolve this matter and closing our collection account, we sent three additional copies of our debt dispute letter via certified mail on XX/XX/XXXX, this time to Genesis XXXX XXXX XXXX Genesis mailing address registered with the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and their Incorporation Lawyers in California for forwarding to their client, Genesis. Each letter was delivered by USPS on XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  respectively. We also scanned and sent a copy of the physical letters to the email address provided by Genesis. These letters included the same supporting documentation demonstrating the Carpet and Cleaning fees for apartment XXXX were satisfied in full and a request for response in writing by Genesis to confirm the closure of our collections account. To date, we have not received a response from Genesis. Despite having both knowledge and evidence that the Carpet and Cleaning Fees have already been satisfied with the original creditor and not providing any verification, Genesis is knowingly complacent in perpetrating billing fraud by attempting to collect on an amount that has already been satisfied and unlawfully threatening our credit worthiness as a means of duress. We are demanding that Genesis close the collection accounts against me and my wife before their inaction causes further financial damages.