Consumer complaint received 2024-03-25
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: ProCollect, Inc. (MI)

I am writing to continue my formal complaint against XXXX XXXX XXXX regarding their debt collection practice, my move-out process, billing discrepancies, and discriminatory practices. Here are additional details : My lease ended in XXXX, and I was forced to move out due to an eviction process initiated by XXXX for non-payment of rent for the months of XXXX and XXXX. Despite complying with the eviction order I am not permitted to pay the outstanding balance nor am I provided accurate balance information. XXXX XXXX alleged that my account was being handled by a collection agency but would not provide the name or contact information unless I provide them my mailing address : Further issues include the following. 

1. Eviction Process and Move-Out Notice : o XXXX XXXX filed for an eviction and obtained a court order to claim the property. A 24-hour notice was posted on my door, warning that a court officer would remove any remaining belongings if I did not vacate on XX/XX/XXXX. 
o I promptly moved all my belongings out of the unit but was unable to re-enter for final cleanup due to the eviction process. 
2. Property Condition and Photos : o I have attached email exchanges and photos taken during move-out. These photos clearly show that there was no physical damage to walls, fixtures, or appliances. 
o The walls were well-maintained and clean, with minimal wear and tear. Any paint chipping was limited to a small section of molding, likely caused by cold air or gutter issues ( which were the management companys responsibility ). I could not re-enter the apartment to remove trash bags and items that were designated for the dumpster on the porch, garage. However, even in pictures they took of the unit of only trash, you do not see any damage, scrapes, gashes, missing items, broken, items. Based on my interactions with XXXX XXXX and her XXXX overtones, the real damage to the unit was having a XXXX person live in it and use it. I believe that it is more likely than not that XXXX was capable of carrying the southern XXXX XXXX attitude that many white people from her side of the state of Michigan are comfortable with. 
3. Excessive Charges : o Despite the outstanding rent balance being approximately {$7500.00} plus any charges for removing items for the dumpster which the baliff could have done to complete the eviction if need be. XXXX XXXX added an additional {$10000.00} for alleged damages beyond normal wear and tear. Please feel free to zoom into the photos and see that the walls do not even reflect normal wear and tear as the property was cared for. This {$10000.00} being charge is clearly a retaliatory and punitive action of XXXX XXXX meant to create undo financial stress and hardship by creating a bogus debt. 
o The attached photos refute these claims, as they demonstrate the overall good condition of the property upon move-out. 
4. Discriminatory Practices : o I also want to bring attention to XXXX XXXX offensive and demeaning interactions with tenants of XXXX. Such behavior is unacceptable and should be addressed. 
o Furthermore, XXXX subsequent rent increases ( over {$750.00} in three lease cycles ) appear to be an attempt to force residents, particularly those with lower median incomes, out of the property which disproportionally impacted XXXX tenants. 
1. Lack of Communication : o On XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted XXXX XXXX to request the outstanding move-out balance. Unfortunately, I did not receive a response until today. 
o Despite my intent to pay the outstanding balance promptly, I faced delays due to the lack of communication and cooperation with providing an accurate amount, an accounting and the contact information for the company they alleged was handling the account. 
2. Billing Discrepancies : o XXXX XXXX informed me that I was sent a bill for {$17000.00}. However, I had not received this bill because the property manager did not have my forwarding address. 
o I requested an itemized copy of the bill and clarification on where it was sent. XXXX response was that the collection company would contact me. 
3. Collection Agency Involvement : o XXXX stated that she sent the copy of the bill to me on XX/XX/XXXX to the address in their complex from which I was evicted. Essentially, I could not receive that bill because it went to a locked mailbox they knew I had no access to. They also stated that Michigan state law permits them to create a debt without notifying the debtor. I do not believe that to be true as a debtor has a right to know what the debt is and dispute it if it is in this case incorrect in the amount of {$10000.00}. 
o I requested at move out that the bill be emailed to me. They made no effort to send the bill via email. 
o XXXX stated that the collection agency handling the account is called Procollect. 
o I sought further information about the collection agency to facilitate payment. They refused to provide the information, phone number, email etc.. 
o I researched and contacted the collection agency. They confirmed that they are the agency that collects on behalf of XXXX XXXX but they were never provided an account for me and that I would need to contact XXXX XXXX and make my payment directly to them. They under all of the information I provided them and confirmed that no account pertaining to me and XXXX XXXX existed in their system and they could not service me. 
o I believe that XXXX was aware of this which is why she refused the information. She lied rather than accepting the payment. If I am prepared to pay the correct amount today, she does not have the right to force me to wait to pay in order for them to involve a collection agency and create a derogatory mark on my credit. XXXX said that she would not give me their information unless I gave her my mailing addres.. If I am prepared to pay the bill and offering pay, their refusal to be forthright with the means and to whom to provide the payment is nothing more than a retaliatory act on their part to force me to wait until it is turned over to a collection agency in order to create an adverse mark on my credit report and create a hardship in renting in the future because of the negative mark on my credit report. 
4. Inaccessible Mailbox : o XXXX claimed that the bill was mailed on XX/XX/XXXX to the address from which I moved within their complex. 
o However, this mailbox has a key lock, preventing me from accessing the document. 
o No electronic efforts were made by XXXX to reach me. 
5. Deceptive Response : o When I requested the collection agencys contact again, XXXX replied, You have to provide us your address to receive this information. 
o XXXX had already provided the ledger so there is nothing that prevents the from providing me with the information regarding my debt without a mailing address. indicating that XXXX response was misleading. 
Requested Actions : 1. Transparency and Clarity : I urge XXXX XXXX to provide an itemized bill and a clear explanation of charges. 
2. Collection Agency Details : I request accurate contact information for Procollect to facilitate payment. If Procollect does not own this account as of today when I am attempting to pay, then XXXX should be made to accept payment today. 
3. Address Verification : XXXX should verify the accuracy of the mailing address and explore alternative communication methods. 
1. Collection Agency Involvement and Deceptive Response : o XXXX still owns the account, and I am left without a clear means of payment. 
o XXXX XXXX misleading responses and refusal to provide accurate information are concerning is essentially refusing my right to pay the bill, dispute the amount or even know what the charges are. 
2. Discriminatory Behavior and Unfair Charges : o XXXX rude and degrading attitude, coupled with XXXX undertones, suggests bias against people of color. 
o The charges for alleged damages are unjustified, especially when the attached photos show no damage to the property. 
o The ledger also includes charges for returned checks, despite my not paying with checks at the time, not having an active checking account or not being permitted to use the online pay system restrictions for paying by check. 
o Discarding everything in the unit ( microwaves, stoves, etc. ) that was not bolted down despite it not being damaged beyond normal wear and tear. It was clearly an act of purging the unit of anything touched or used by a XXXX person in the apartment but then making me pay for the unnecessary upgrades. If that is not the case, then that is simply a unit upgrade which occurs when apartments appliances and carpet has normal wear and tear for more than 3 to five years. I inherited the appliances and carpet of the tenant prior to me. I requested at move in a replacement for the refrigerator. ( see email ) This is akin to white only fountains and bathrooms where XXXX believed that the presence of a XXXX person has defiled the area. Not only did XXXX demonstrate XXXX discrimination in her conduct with XXXX tenants. I was also accused of having roaches when there was never anything more than a spider infestation when I moved it. There was never a roach in my apartment or any other place I have lived in my entire life. I found the stereotypical accusation to be highly offensive. It should be noted that I made request multiple times requesting a replacement of the older refrigerator and the carpet upon move in had been lived on by the prior tenant. When you add my three years to it, then it is normal wear and tear.