Consumer complaint received 2016-08-08
Product: Debt collection 
Sub-product: Auto
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not mine
Company: Synergetic Communication Inc
State: VA
Tags: Servicemember

Complaint:
In XXXX I leased a Chevrolet Cobalt with XXXX for the period of three years and paid for the vehicle upfront. Two years later, I joined the XXXX XXXX and had my father return the leased Cobalt at the appropriate time and place. My father did just that. Learning that the Cobalt was delivered on time is where the story ended for me. However, in XXXX, Synergetic Communications ( Syncom ) contacted me in a harassing manner demanding that I owed {$2300.00} for the Chevrolet Cobalt. There was no additional information provided, but I quickly forwarded the information on to my father regardless to see if he could shed some light on where this " debt '' may be derived from. My father reported back to me that he had spoken with Synergetic Communications, and that they told him that they would take care of the accounting error. This is where the story starts to effect me. 

XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I was contacted by Synergetic Communications again in regards to this debt of which there is no explanation. Additionally, this is eight years after the vehicle was returned and XXXX has since gone out of business. XXXX has merged with XXXX XXXX, but XXXX XXXX refuses to assist me with this issue. They have told me that " our ( XXXX XXXX ) third party collection agency ( Synergetic Communications ) is handling this account, and there is nothing they can do to help me delete this debt from my record. '' After repeatedly trying to work this misunderstanding out with Synergetic Communications, I was told by the collections agency that " there is nothing we ( Synergetic Communications ) can do because we report directly to Ally Financial. We do not even have the authority to report to the credit bureaus. We report directly to XXXX XXXX. '' I have recently looked into my credit report, and I was shocked to see that there is a Charge Off from XXXX of {$2300.00}. This account was taken care of many years ago. Furthermore, XXXX XXXX has no information for me in their system. The only information XXXX XXXX has at this point on my supposed account is what I had personally given them when I opened a complaint regarding this debt. 

Bottom line : Before filing this complaint with CFPB, I have attempted to have this debt expunged from my record by explaining to both Syncom and XXXX XXXX that this is debt is the result of an accounting error made eight years after the vehicle was leased ( paid in full ). Both parties refuse to help me, they both continue to advise me that I must speak to the other to get this resolved, and neither of their management representatives has offered any clarity on this matter. 

I have read other consumer complaints regarding XXXX XXXX and Synergetic Communications. It seems as though I am not alone in my experience of the unethical business practices these XXXX companies engage in to make a buck. My credit worthiness has suffered tremendously as a result of this Charge Off that was reported to the credit bureaus. I did not accrue this debt. If I am unable to resolve this issue with the help of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am prepared to pursue this matter with an attorney because of personal integrity as well as holding these XXXX companies to decent ethical standards. 

Note : As I mentioned, I gave XXXX quite a bit of information when I opened a complaint with them regarding this account. I suspect they will try to pawn this issue off to Synergetic Communications, but prior to opening the complaint, Ally Financial had no information regarding the debt when I gave them my Social Security Number and full name.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation