Consumer complaint received 2025-08-10 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: Professional Debt Mediation, Inc.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
This is a continued dispute and notification of additional violations since my original CFPB complaint ( ID : XXXX ) filed against Professional Debt Mediation , Inc. regarding a tradeline furnished by XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

On XX/XX/XXXXXXXX, Professional Debt Mediation falsely stated to the CFPB that the debt was valid and verified. However, on XX/XX/XXXXXXXX, they furnished new information to the credit bureaus reflecting a payment/credit adjustment while still keeping an inflated balance of {$4500.00}. This update was made despite both Professional Debt Mediation and XXXX XXXX telling me on XX/XX/XXXX that they had no updated information regarding my dispute which is inconsistent and misleading. 

The charges on the ledger include : Illegally billed XXXX subsidy amounts during an abatement period caused by landlords failure to repair. 
XX/XX/XXXX rent charged despite my move-out notice dated XX/XX/XXXX, and XXXX water/sewer usage thereafter. 
Unsubstantiated maintenance and cleaning fees entered in a suspicious sequence with rounded amounts and no invoices/receipts provided. 
Charges for conditions caused by the landlords own negligence, including severe mold, inoperable fixtures, and unrepaired code violations documented by a third-party housing authority inspection. 

These habitability failures amount to constructive eviction, meaning no rent should have been due for the period they are attempting to collect. The maintenance records show they were aware of these issues long before my move-out but refused to fix them until after charging me for the alleged damages. 

This ongoing furnishing and collection activity is in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), Virginia landlord-tenant law, and CFPB regulations prohibiting false or misleading statements in connection with a debt. 

These violations have caused me severe harm, including : Current XXXX  after being forced from the unit. 
Recovery from recent XXXX without stable housing or a working phone. 
My child starting second grade XXXX, with XXXX  XXXX  from losing belongings. 
Transportation hardship due to my vehicle being out of service. 

Supporting Documents Summary I am attaching the following evidence to support my claim that the debt is inaccurate, unlawfully charged, and illegally furnished : 1. Move-Out Ledger with Labeled Violations Shows unlawful charges including : XXXX  subsidy billing during an abatement period ( A ) XX/XX/XXXX rent billed despite move-out notice dated XX/XX/XXXX and no utility usage thereafter ( C, G ) Sequentially entered, rounded-number maintenance and damage fees posted on XX/XX/XXXX within days of move-out notice, with no taxes and no supporting documentation ( B, D ) Damages caused by landlord negligence ( mold, broken fixtures, inoperable appliances ) already documented in inspection report. 
2. Third-Party Housing Authority Inspection Report Lists multiple unresolved code and habitability violations in the unit ( e.g., mold-like substances, inoperable toilet, detached wall material, broken stove burners ).

Confirms landlord failed to repair within required timelines, leading to constructive eviction. 
3. Screenshot of Prior CFPB Complaint ( ID : XXXX ) Confirms my ongoing dispute. 
Demonstrates that Professional Debt Mediation made false statements to CFPB on XX/XX/XXXX, claiming the account was valid and verified, then altered credit reporting on XX/XX/XXXX, despite contradictory statements to me on XX/XX/XXXX. 
4. Utility Billing Records Shows XXXX water/sewer usage after XX/XX/XXXX, contradicting their XXXX rent charge and proving I vacated the property. 
5. Proof of Current Harm Documentation of XXXX, recent XXXX recovery, lack of functional phone, and my childs XXXX XXXX starting second grade without stable housing or belongings. 



Request for Relief : Given the above evidence, I request : 1. Immediate deletion of the tradeline from all credit bureaus.

2. Cessation of all collection activity.

3. Full accounting and receipts for any charges claimed, as required by law.

4. CFPB to investigate violations under the FCRA, FDCPA, Virginia Landlord-Tenant Act, and CFPBs own prohibitions against false or misleading statements in connection with a debt.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation