Consumer complaint received 2024-04-02
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Continental Services Group, Inc. d/b/a ConServe (CA)

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received 2 notices of debt claims attempting to be collected by Conserve, dated XX/XX/XXXX. 

In the original notice of collection, sent XX/XX/XXXX, there is a clause written stating that If you write to us by XX/XX/XXXX, we must stop collection on any amount you dispute until we send you information that shows you owe the debt. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent in the attached postcard response to provide notice that I am disputing the 2 debt claims. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a response to my request to dispute the 2 debts, claimed by Conserve. In that response, there was no information showing that I owed the debt. 
There was also no notification that the collection process had been stopped. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I responded requesting, again, that Conserve provide a written response that ; My dispute had been recognized ; To provide verification of the claimed debt towards my account, and ; That the collection process has stopped until verification of the debt can be provided. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a formal written response, as opposed to the postcard response, declaring my dispute of claim and requesting a verification of debt along with a confirmation that the collection process had been halted until Conserve can send me information verifying that I owe the debt. 
This formal response was sent within the XX/XX/XXXX period and the collection process should be halted until verification can be provided that shows that I owe the debt. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I received a notice that the debt claims were past due and reminded me of the account balance. 
This communication did not provide verification of the claimed debt towards my account, nor did it respond to or recognize any of my dispute communications and requests for verification of the claimed debt. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a response, again, requesting to be provided with verification of the claimed debts, such as a copy of the performed IRS audit, as proof of judgment that the debts claimed against my account are valid and true. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a response encouraging me to go receive the transcripts myself on the IRS website. 
I was given a notice that a hold has been placed on the collections process for 60 days, expiring XX/XX/XXXX. 
I did not receive verification of the claimed debts against my account. 

The communication I received on XX/XX/XXXX does not comply with the regulations detailed in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) as published by the Federal Trade Commission. It does not state that the Debt Collector can place a time-limited hold on the debt collection process so that the consumer can investigate the claim themself. It states that if the consumer disputes the claim in writing within 30 days of notice, the Debt Collector must cease the collections process until the debt collector can provide a copy of such verification or judgment, mailed to the consumer by the debt collector. 

Please review section 809. Validation of debts ; subsection ( b ) Disputed debts, to read the following regulation ; If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection ( a ) of this section that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector. 

So far I have requested verification of the debt showing proof that I do indeed owe the claimed debt a total of 3 Times over an 8 month period. I have not been provided a copy of a verification from the original creditor, mailed to me ( consumer ) by the debt collector. 

So far I was required to dispute the claim 3 times over an 8 month period, in order to receive a formal recognition of my dispute of the claim.