Consumer complaint received 2025-12-31 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: CCS Financial Services, Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
FORMAL CONSUMER COMPLAINT Improper Debt Collection Practices, Failure to Provide Required Notice, Denial of Account Access, and Unfair/Inaccurate Credit Reporting My legal name has changed. My current legal name is : XXXX XXXX. 
My prior name ( which may appear on the collection account ) is : XXXX XXXX. 

I am submitting this formal complaint regarding improper debt collection practices by Credit Collection Services ( including as shown on my credit reports as XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ), related to an alleged debt originally owed to XXXX XXXX XXXX in the amount of approximately {$350.00}. 

Assignment / Transfer of the Debt ( from XXXX XXXX ) This alleged debt was originally owed to XXXX XXXX XXXX and was then transferred/placed/assigned by XXXX XXXX Group to Credit Collection Services for XXXX XXXX Based on my credit reporting, the account reflects a Date Assigned of XX/XX/year> ( Equifax ). XXXX activity began no later than XX/XX/year>. 

Lack of Proper Notice After the debt was transferred/placed with the collection agency, I did not receive a single written notice by XXXX mail XXXX email at my current address from the collection agency. I received only automated text messages. 
I began receiving SMS messages from Credit Collection Services on XX/XX/year> and afterward ( XX/XX/year>, XX/XX/year>, XX/XX/year>, XX/XX/year>, XX/XX/year> ). The messages directed me to www.ccspayment.com and referenced Reference File XXXX XXXXXXXX. XXXX message also directed me to XXXX XXXX XXXX  included California License Number : XXXX and phone number ( XXXX ) XXXX ( and in at least one message, ( XXXX ) XXXX ). 

These text messages resembled suspicious or potentially fraudulent communications and did not reasonably appear to be legitimate debt collection notices. No validation letter ( initial notice ), no email, and no mailed correspondence were ever sent to my current address. 

Denial of Account XXXX The text messages directed me to an online portal. To access the account, I was required to : XXXX. Enter a reference number XXXX. Enter the ZIP code associated with my address After entering the reference number and then my current ZIP code ( XXXX ), the system repeatedly returned an authentication failed error, as shown in the attached screenshots. 

Because of this error : I could not access the account I could not view or verify the debt I could not make a payment I could not dispute the debt Attempts to Contact the Agency I attempted to contact Credit Collection Services multiple times by phone. For a significant period, their phone line was never answered, despite repeated calls. 

Because the text messages appeared suspicious and I was unable to access the account, I reasonably believed the messages might be fraudulent. 

Only after a collection record appeared on my credit reports did it become clear that this was a legitimate collection agency. At that point, I spent several consecutive hours ( approximately XXXX hours ) attempting to reach a live representative. 

On XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX at approximately XXXX XXXX, I placed a call to ( XXXX ) XXXX that lasted XXXX minutes and XXXX seconds ( call log screenshot attached ). 

Admission of Incorrect Address and ZIP Code When I finally reached an agent, I explained that : I had received no letters or emails I had received only text messages I was unable to access the account online due to authentication failed The agent asked for my name and asked which ZIP code I was entering. The agent then told me which ZIP code their system required for authentication ( it was - XXXX ). I informed the agent that I have not lived at the address associated with that ZIP code for at least XXXX years and that my credit reports have reflected my current address for a long time. I explained that the XXXX outdated address/ZIP code records were the reason I could not authenticate or access the account. The agent then requested my current address and updated it in their system only at that time, after the collection had already been reported. 

Refusal to Correct the Error I requested that the collection entry be removed/corrected because : All notices were sent to an incorrect address I received no proper written notice I was denied access due to the agencys internal record/system error I was prevented from paying or disputing the debt The agent stated that they do not care that the address was incorrect and claimed that sending notices to an outdated address still constituted notice. I was told that this was my problem, and the call was terminated by the agency. 

Legal Impact As a direct result of the collection agencys actions : I was not properly notified of the debt I was denied access to my account I was prevented from exercising my right to dispute the debt or obtain validation within the required time period A negative collection account was reported to major credit bureaus without a fair opportunity to resolve the matter The collection agencys conduct effectively blocked my ability to timely address the matter, while simultaneously damaging my credit. 

Violations This conduct appears to violate federal and California XXXX, including but not limited to : Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), including 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) ( required written validation notice ) and 15 U.S.C. 1692e and 1692f ( deceptive and unfair collection practices ) Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), including 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( duties of furnishers regarding accuracy and investigation after dispute ) California Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Cal. Civ. Code 1788 et seq. ( including 1788.17 ) California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act ( CCRAA ), Cal. Civ. Code 1785.25 ( a ) ( accuracy in credit reporting ) California Debt Collection Licensing Act, Cal. Fin. Code 100000 et seq. ( licensed debt collector conduct standards ) Supporting Documentation Attached are all supporting materials, including but not limited to : Complaint Narrative ( CFPB ) - Credit Collection Services Screenshots/PDF showing authentication failed during portal access ; Records/screenshots of text messages and reference file information ; Credit report entries ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX showing the XXXX tradeline, dates, and balance ; Call log evidence ( XX/XX/year>, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX to ( XXXX ) XXXX ) Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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