Consumer complaint received 2024-03-04
Product: Debt collection — Medical debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: USCB, Inc. (KY)

I contacted USCB America regarding a medical debt that was sent to them from XXXX XXXX. I went to view the account online via USCB America on XX/XX/year>. I was asked to provide the reference / record ID, Date of Birth and ZIP Code. Upon entering this information 2 records were pulled up to view. Both had the same account #. However, there were 2 different patients names. Mine and another name I was unaware of. It listed a total due for me of {$870.00} on the top line and a total due for the other person on the next line of {$1800.00}. The bottom line showed the Total Payment of {$2700.00} which was the total of both amounts due. Once I saw this I decided to call USCB America. 
I called USCB America and spoke with a Collection Specialist. I immediately advised the collector that Im aware of the {$870.00}, however, the {$1800.00} thats listed is not mine. She said ok and placed me on hold. A few minutes later she came back on the line and asked if I wanted to pay the full balance or make payments. She didnt advise me that the accounts were being separated and I only owed the {$870.00}. Instead she asked for the balance or payments. 
At this point she is attempting to collect a balance she knows I dont owe. I said I was calling to discuss a XXXX  or payment arrangements. I advised her that I believe they have violated the FDCPA. I advised her that I was able to view the other patients protected health information ( PHI ) simply by clicking on the account number that he and I share. I at that point did a Screen capture of their online system. It shows both accounts with same account # tied together and a total payment amount of the 2 accounts combined. I then clicked on both account # s and saved each to my phone. I went as far as telling the collector the other patients name, address, original client and amount owed to prove that I was able to see that information. I then told her that if Im able to see his information he is able too see my information. Im not sure if he has seen my information but Im certain that I saw his. Thats a FDCPA violation. Collectors are unable to release my information to anyone other than myself, my spouse, my attorney, etc. At that time she placed me on hold again. 
A few minutes later a man, I believe is a Supervisor, added on to the call. He immediately advised me of the mini-miranda. He then stated he was made aware of the situation on the account and will be forwarding the account to the Legal Department. He did not explain why the account was being forwarded to the Legal Department, nor did he advise me the accounts will be separated and did not advise me of the balance that I owe. So, I assumed I was going to be sued for the total payment of {$2700.00}. When I heard this, I told the Supervisor that I would like him to inform the Legal Department what I would like to happen. I would like my account and the other patients account taken care of in full, I would like a letter sent to myself and the other patient with an explanation of how this happened and how they plan to handle the matter and I would like myself and the other patient given a fair and reasonable monetary compensation for the FDCPA violations their company committed. I asked for a reply from them by the following Friday, XX/XX/year> at XXXX. I also advised if I dont hear from them I will be filing this complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and contacting a Lawyer that handles FDCPA Violations. He said he will note the account and make the Legal Department aware of my requests and ended the call. 
About 20 minutes later, the same Supervisor/ man contacted me back and said the Legal Department wanted to know if he could get my email address. After asking for my email he advised me of the mini-miranda. I gave him my email and he ended the call. 
As of XX/XX/year>, at XXXX, I had not received any correspondence from USBC America or their Legal Department . Therefore, on Monday I began taking the steps I had advised the Supervisor/man I would be taking if I had not heard from them. Today I consulted a Attorneys office that deals with FDCPA Violations. I have not retained their services at this time. I am filing this complaint with the CFPB. I may also be filing a complaint with the Attornys Generals Office of Kentucky, the XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX  ) in Kentucky and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). I may send a copy off all complaints I filed with the agencies above, a copy of this complaint, a copy of the screen capture I took showing both accounts listed under the same account # ( obtained from the USCB America online payment system ) and the .pdf documents ( obtained from the same USCB Americaonline payment system ) of both patients bills ( Included on the bills are the patients name address, original Creditor and that amount owed ) regarding this matter to the original creditor, XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX IL, XXXX. I may send a letter and a copy of this complaint to the other patient involved so they will be aware of what has transpired.