Consumer complaint received 2018-08-19 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: National Collection Systems, Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I enrolled in the XXXX XXXX Program at the University of XXXX XXXX XXXX for the Spring XX/XX/XXXX semester and Summer XX/XX/XXXX semester. For each quarter, I enrolled in one class. The tuition and fees for the Spring XX/XX/XXXX semester totaled {$5100.00}. The tuition and fees for the SummerXX/XX/XXXX semester totaled {$5000.00}.

I received a partial scholarship of {$1500.00} for each semester. Consequently, the outstanding net balance for both semesters was {$7100.00} ( {$10000.00} tuition less {$3000.00} scholarship awards ). 

As of XX/XX/XXXX, I paid {$3600.00} toward that balance, for a remaining balance of {$3400.00}. Because I was delinquent in paying that balance, I entered into a payment plan with the University. As of XX/XX/XXXX, the date of my last installment payment, I had paid an additional {$1500.00}, leaving a net outstanding balance of {$1900.00}. 

I then noticed that the University had been adding fees and late fees equal to {$600.00} to my balance for the Fall XX/XX/XXXX and Winter XX/XX/XXXX semesters -- semesters for which I was not enrolled. Additionally, it had allocated {$300.00} in payments I had previously made to these fees and late fees. 

The University subsequently assigned my account to a collection agency called National Credit Management, or NCM. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a collection notice from NCM. The notice demanded payment of what it called a past due balance of {$2800.00}. The notice provided that I was entitled to dispute the debt by registering with a website operated by NCM. I did so on XX/XX/XXXX, via email to an individual named XXXX XXXX. 

In that email, I disputed both the amount demanded by NCM, as well as the actual net amount I owed to the University. In this respect, I disputed the {$300.00} in fees that the University had already allocated from my payments to semesters for which I was not enrolled, as well as late fees totaling {$300.00} that it had assessed with respect to those semesters. 

Accordingly, I informed NCM that I wished to resolve the debt, but only in the amount of {$1300.00}, which reflected the actual outstanding balance on tuition and fees attributable to semesters that I attended the University less the {$300.00} in fees I already paid and {$300.00} in late fees assessed for semesters I did not attend the University. I also informed NCM that I wished to pay the actual debt and bring the matter to resolution. 

I also informed NCM that it no event should it allocate any payments I make to it for any fees attributable to any past, present or future semesters for which I did not attend the University. 

I am eager to pay the actual debt and resolve this matter. However, I refuse to pay any improper fees. I have attached documentation evidencing the information above. 

XXXX XXXX

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