Consumer complaint received 2024-03-19
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: Professional Debt Mediation, Inc. (FL)

I XXXX XXXX along with XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX we are writing to file a formal complaint regarding the actions in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the terms outlined in the lease agreement dated XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX, pertaining to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, Florida XXXX. 

XXXXBackground Information : I am lodging this complaint against Professional Debt Mediation Inc. ( PDM ) and XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX for their unlawful debt collection practices and violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). 

XXXX. Judge 's Eviction Order and Landlord 's Delayed Action : Despite the judge 's order to vacate the premises on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX failed to take action to regain possession until several months later, falsely claiming that I had abandoned the apartment. 

XXXX. Tenant 's Notification of Forwarding Address : Although I provided a forwarding address to the USPS, which XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX could have accessed by sending any letters to the old address, they failed to utilize this information to communicate with me regarding important matters such as the security deposit and damages. 

XXXX. Failure to Utilize Available Contact Information : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX had access to my email address and phone number, which could have been used to communicate important information regarding the security deposit, damages, and collection attempts. 

XXXX. Failure to Notify Tenant of Security Deposit Deductions : Section 51 of the lease outlines charges for which I may be liable, including deductions from the security deposit. Florida law requires landlords to provide an itemized statement of deductions within a specific timeframe after lease termination ( Florida Statute 83.49 ). 

XXXX. No Attempt to Contact Tenant for XXXX XXXX Collection : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX did not notify me of their attempt to collect money from the court registry, depriving me of the opportunity to contest the claim. This violates my rights to due process and fair treatment under the law. 

XXXX. Disposal of Tenant 's Property Without Notification : The landlord discarded my furniture without making any attempt to contact me. This action disregards my rights to my personal property and violates the lease terms regarding abandonment ( Section 52 ). 

XXXX. Failure to Conduct Move-Out Inspection : Grove at XXXX XXXX XXXX did not perform a move-out inspection with me, as required per Section 50 of the lease. Florida law mandates landlords to conduct move-out inspections and provide notice of damages within a specific timeframe ( Florida Statute 83.49 ). 

XXXX. Claiming Additional Rent After Eviction Order : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX filed a collection report for additional rent for months after the judge 's eviction order, disregarding the court 's decision. This action is unjustified and may constitute harassment or unlawful attempts to collect debt. 

In Florida, landlords are required to provide tenants with an itemized list of damages and the remaining security deposit within specific timeframes after lease termination. According to Florida Statute 83.49 ( 3 ) ( a ), landlords must either return the security deposit to the tenant or provide written notice to the tenant within 30 days of the tenant vacating the premises if they intend to make a claim against the deposit for damages. 

If the landlord intends to claim any portion of the security deposit for damages, they must provide the tenant with an itemized list of damages along with the remaining balance of the security deposit within 30 days. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the forfeiture of the landlord 's right to make a claim against the security deposit. 

I request that the CFPB investigate the unlawful debt collection practices of PDM and the violations of the FDCPA. I demand that PDM cease all collection activities related to the alleged debt and remove any negative entries from my credit report resulting from these improper actions. Furthermore, I request immediate reimbursement of my security deposit in full from XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, as well as compensation for any damages incurred as a result of their unlawful actions. 

XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX are all part of the collection claim. PDM has also been contacting and harassing other family members of mine not related to this claim in search of XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX and myself. My other family members ' contact information has never been provided to XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX nor PDM ever. There information has no connection or has ever been used as other resources to contact me. They have no right to be calling anyone in my family at all.