Consumer complaint received 2021-08-18
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: ERC (GA)

I checked my credit report and there is a debt that was sent to a collection agency ( ERC ) in the amount of {$130.00}. The original creditor is XXXX XXXX XXXX, which was my service provider a number of years ago. 

When I switched providers, I called XXXX XXXX XXXX to close my account and paid my balance in full at that time. I received an additional bill after that, and as soon as I received it, I called XXXX XXXX XXXX and inquired what it was for. I was told that me account was still open, and as such, I owed them that $ $ . I explained that I closed my account weeks before, but they stated they had no record of it and that the debt was valid. I made 1 more attempt to have this corrected, but was told the same thing. At that time I decided that they were not going to remedy the situation and I have not contacted them since. Upon checking my credit report ( s ), I found that this listed as a delinquent account that had been turned over to a collection agency ( ERC ) on XX/XX/19 and not paid. 

I left XXXX XXXX XXXX a number of years ago, which was years before this was placed in collections. I had no idea it was on my report, and as well it shouldn't be. This is an invalid debt that XXXX XXXX XXXX states I owe ... .I do not ... .THEY WERE PAID IN FULL!!!!! I ensured that I paid the balance in full before parting ways with them ... .my balance was XXXX when I left. I was unaware that this was turned over to a collection agency until a month or so ago, and I've not contacted them ( neither XXXX XXXX XXXX nor ERC ) about this. In addition to this being a fraudulent charge, the date it was placed into collection was years AFTER I left XXXX XXXX XXXX. I disputed this debt via XXXX XXXX a month ago, but was told it was a valid debt, and would remain on my report as such. I'm not sure how XXXX XXXX validates a debt, but I think all they do is contact the company and ask them ... .no investigation was done at all, otherwise it would have been removed. 

At this time I'd like this to be investigated by your agency. I believe this borders on criminal, in the fact that they're attempting to collect monies not due to them, which they're fully aware of. I'm requesting ALL contracts signed by me, ALL written and verbal conversations I've had with them and also the names of the employees who were supposed to close my account upon me requesting them to do so. I also request that you look at the date it says it was put to collections, and also have ERC provide all written / verbal correspondence I've had with them ( I never had ). Please have them also explain why the date is XX/XX/19 when this was opened by them ... ... years after this account was closed. I believe this an attempt by them to tarnish my credit, and is being done so blatantly and maliciously. Trying to collect a debt that is not owed is extortion ( I believe ) and should be addressed by both companies. I can not hire an attorney due to financial constraints, but if this isn't corrected, I'm going to lodge a complaint with the XXXX ( for both XXXX XXXX XXXX and ERC ) ... .I 'm not going so now as to give them the opportunity to correct this. A big company like XXXX XXXX XXXX should not need to extort money from anyone ... .it should be run professionally and without malice against someone XXXX  dropped their service to go to another, better service provider.