Consumer complaint received 2024-02-11 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: Statewide Tax Recovery, LLC
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
I received a notice from Statewide Tax Recovery in the mail at the end of XXXX stating I owed {$36.00}, but it did not say what for. I called and asked what the {$36.00} was for and they said it was for XXXX Per Capita tax for XXXX XXXX. I requested an itemized statement and all documentation from the original creditor they received the collection from in my phone call. The representative said she would let her supervisor know and try to get my a copy. I also sent an email with the same request- an itemized statement and the documentation they recieved from the original creditor. I did not receive anything. I called Statewide Tax Recovery again on XX/XX/XXXX to remind them of the requested documents. I still hadn't received anything except another delinquent tax notice stating they hadn't heard from me. I wrote them another e-mail on XX/XX/XXXX requesting the itemized statement at least so I could pay the city and also let them know their statement of not being able to contact me was false considering I let them know several times I wanted the statement and the documentation from the original creditor. I finally received just the itemized statement in XXXX of XXXX. The statement said I owed only {$11.00} to the city and the other {$25.00} was for Statewide Tax Recovery which I assume only adds additional profit to their business and serves no other purpose. I then sent them a money order of {$11.00} and indicated on the money order the {$11.00} was to be paid to XXXX XXXX 's per Capita tax for XXXX ONLY and not their collection fee. 

I hadn't heard anything from anyone until XXXX of XXXX. A representative from Statewide Tax Recovery called me who advised I owe {$25.00}. I explained that I will not be paying it, as they received the {$11.00} from me to pay to the city and therefore, my account was to be closed, as I am only held legally accountable for the taxes I owe, not a collection fee. 

I sent them Statewide Tax Recovery a recap of our phone conversation on the same day- XX/XX/XXXX. I never received an e-mail back regarding the recap e-mail. 

I then received another delinquent tax notice on XX/XX/XXXX stating it was a " XXXX XXXX  '' and that they were requesting the {$25.00} immediately. I attempted to call Statewide Tax Recovery and spoke with a gentleman named XXXX. I had called to see what happened to the {$11.00} I sent Statewide Tax Recovery that was to be sent to XXXX XXXX. I provided the DB # on my account and when XXXX asked for my demographic info I declined to provide it, as I know this can be used against me. XXXX then said he can not help me and told me to call back in if I decide to feel comfortable providing my demographic information, then disconnected the call. I then called XXXX XXXX XXXX same day ( XX/XX/XXXX ) and asked if they received the {$11.00} I owed in Per Capita tax from XXXX that I owed. She stated she did not. 

I wrote another e-mail to Statewide Tax Recovery on XX/XX/XXXX inquiring about why they are still contacting me if I paid the {$11.00} for XXXX XXXX. They finally replied to an e-mail and stated the fee was {$36.00} and that I only paid {$11.00} so {$25.00} is still due. The representative goes onto say they will attempt to garnish my wages if they do not receive the {$25.00}. 

This leaves me to assume Statewide Tax Recovery has pocketed the {$11.00} that was to go to the City for themselves and has no intention to give it to XXXX XXXX, which was against the statement on the money order. 

I did not reply to this e-mail because I can see it will do me no good, but contacted the Attorney General Office. I filed a complaint on XX/XX/XXXX. They requested Statewide Tax Recovery to reply to my complaint within 21 days, but they have not. 

Instead, I received another delinquent tax notice on XX/XX/XXXX that states I now owe {$75.00}. 

As a tax payer, I am really shocked and stunned at this. They have seemed to have deceived me and only care for their own profit, not for XXXX XXXX. I should not have to pay 581.82 % more than what was originally owed. Not only that, but it concerns me they work for XXXX XXXX and seem to care more about themselves than the city. The city could have had their money in XXXX of XXXX, if Statewide Tax Recovery would have just sent them the money they collected from me, or even sooner should Statewide have sent me the documentation I requested sooner than later. Furthermore, if they are doing this to me, they are doing it to many others and it's very unfair.

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