Consumer complaint received 2024-06-01 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Telecommunications debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: The CMI Group, Inc.
State: CO

Complaint narrative:
Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am filing this grievance to you with profound distress and urgency to seek your intervention as Ive exhausted all options to remove an inaccurate collection from Credit Management Acct # XXXX that has drastically affected my credit standing. I have been severely impacted by a billing error from XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), which has culminated in an unjust collection notice being placed on my credit report, leading to a dramatic and unwarranted decline in my credit score. 

I subscribed to XXXX XXXX services from XX/XX/year> until I terminated the connection in XX/XX/year>. During the entire period of my subscription, I ensured that all payments were made on time through XXXX. Upon cancellation of services with XXXX, I went to a physical location of theirs to return the equipment versus mailing it in. I also confirmed that all dues were paid in full, trusting that XXXX would handle any remaining balance automatically. 

Despite my diligence in maintaining a flawless payment record, Unbeknownst to me, my account was sent to collections for {$120.00}, and to this day, I am not 100 % sure why or what its for. When I was alerted to the collection, I reached out to Credit Management regarding Acct # XXXX to question the nature of the debt. Due to my busy work schedule and the fact that it was a small balance, I was willing to address the sum but only if Credit Management agreed to delete it from the credit bureaus because it was not a valid collection, which they advised they would not do. This erroneous collection notice has caused a nearly XXXX drop in my credit score, severely affecting my financial standing and particularly my efforts to secure a mortgage for a home purchase. Before this incident, my credit score was XXXX, and it has now plummeted to XXXX. This unjust mark on my credit report has resulted in higher loan interest rates, translating to a significant and undue financial burden over time. 

Collections are not my area of expertise as this is the first collection Ive ever received. I am unfamiliar with the verbiage, laws, and guidelines of the collection process. All I knew is that I was unjustly placed into collections with no recourse. Credit Management LP referred me to XXXX XXXX, a credit repair company they claimed could assist in removing the collection. In desperation, I reached out to XXXX XXXX for assistance and paid them {$440.00} to help remove this inaccurate collection with no resolution. In hindsight, why would I be referred to a credit repair company to remove a collection when the collector stated they would not remove it? Is this even ethical? Clearly, this shows my desperation to resolve the matter as I was determined to regain the XXXX points to my scores that Ive worked very hard for, which were unjustly diminished by an inaccurate billing. This is not a valid collection and must be removed from XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX post haste to restore my credit standing.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief