Consumer complaint received 2019-04-22
Product: Debt collection — Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: United Collection Service, Inc (FL) (FL)

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I discovered a collections account with United Collection Service on my XXXX App. This account was recorded for XXXX XXXX XXXX at a time that I was not in XXXX XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a certified letter to UCS with three ( 3 ) mailings : ( 1 ) dispute of debt, ( 2 ) request for verification, ( 3 ) mail-only communication. Pursuant to FDCPA and Florida Law, UCS had five ( 5 ) days to respond to this, and they did not. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I called United Collection Service at or about XXXX P.M. and spoke with XXXX ( spelling may be incorrect ) regarding this issue. I was never provided a last name. I informed XXXX that United Collection Service did not provide a verification of debt, nor provide any form of written correspondence regarding this matter. XXXX confirmed that no written correspondence of any kind was ever issued in this matter from the beginning of the reporting of the alleged debt. Upon informing XXXX that under the Federal Trade Commission Act rules, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, United Collection Service had five ( 5 ) days to respond to my document requesting verification of debt by writing only and by mail only, she informed me that United Collection Service would not respond to mail requests for verification, which is in direct conflict with the rules outlined by the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I then asked to speak with XXXX supervisor, and was transferred to someone named XXXX. Again, I did not receive a last name. I left a message on XXXX voicemail regarding this issue, but have not heard back. I have included a relevant timeline below. 

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), consumers always have the right to request verification of a debt after finding out about the alleged debt in question within 30 days of the first written correspondence with the Collection agency. I notified United Collection Service on my first written correspondence with the company, thus the verification period has not been waived and has, in fact, been fully satisfied. Collection agencies such as United Collection Service are required to respond to these verifications within five ( 5 ) days of receipt of the request. At this time, I have received zero correspondence from United Collection Service regarding any contested matter. When I spoke with XXXX, she informed me that no mailing had gone out regarding this matter, and that it would not, because United Collection Service does not send out verifications as a response to written requests for verification. This is in direct conflict with the FTCA, FCRA, and FDCPA, all federal rules for conducting debt collection.

Because United Collection Service did not, and in fact refused, to furnish this consumer with a verification of debt within the statutorily required period, it is necessary that United Collection Service delete any and all debts being reported to any and all credit reporting agencies, as United Collection Service has not complied with, and refuses to comply with, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and/or the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. At this time, United Collection Service has waived their right to contest and report this debt any further. Per my original mailing, United Collection Service may only contact me through written mail to discuss this issue.

Additionally, because UCS never sent any kind of mailing regarding this debt, as verified through their agent, XXXX, I was never informed of my ability to dispute, which is required under the law. To date, I have received nothing from UCS in regard to this debt. 

RELEVANT TIME LINE XX/XX/XXXX : Discovery of Alleged Debt Reported to XXXX and XXXX Credit Reports via XXXX App XX/XX/XXXX : Consumer Mailed Three ( 3 )  Documents Requesting Verification of Debt, Mail-Only Communication, and Dispute of Debt via Certified Mail to United Collection Service XX/XX/XXXX : Mailing Received by United Collection Service XX/XX/XXXX : Expected Date of Mailing of Verification of Debt XX/XX/XXXX :  Phone Call Between Myself and United Collection Service Requesting Deletion of Alleged Owed Debt From All Credit Reports XX/XX/XXXX : Second Mailing Sent to UCS Informing Them of Their Failure to Verify

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