Consumer complaint received 2025-10-17 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: Patient Accounting Service Center
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
Formal Consumer Complaint Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1692k Violations of FDCPA and Regulation F by ARStrat , LLC in Debt Collection Practices ( Reference XXXX XXXX  ; ARStrat Account # XXXX ) Dear Director, Pursuant to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 's authority under 12 U.S.C. 5511 to enforce federal consumer financial laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ) and Regulation F ( 12 C.F.R. Part 1006 ), I, XXXX XXXX, a consumer subjected to unlawful debt collection practices, hereby file this formal complaint against ARStrat , LLC ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXXXXXX ; Phone : XXXX ). ARStrat is attempting to collect an alleged {$230.00} debt tied to XXXX XXXX XXXX, which I have disputed in writing on multiple occasions. Despite my demands for validation pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1692g, ARStrat has failed to provide adequate proof and has continued communications, constituting violations of federal law. As a consumer entitled to these protections, I have complied fully with dispute procedures, yet ARStrat 's non-compliance has placed an undue burden on me, requiring independent research and formal correspondence to enforce my rights. I seek your Bureau 's intervention to enforce compliance and prevent further harm. 
The following chronology details the facts establishing these violations : On XXXX XXXX XXXX, upon initial notice of the alleged debt, I sent ARStrat a written dispute pursuant to FDCPA 1692g ( a ), contesting the debt in full and demanding verification, including : ( i ) the original signed agreement; ( ii ) itemized charges with service dates ; ( iii ) a full payment and adjustment history ; ( iv ) confirmation the balance remains due ; and ( v ) proof of assignment from XXXX XXXX. 
On XXXX XXXX XXXX, absent any response, I sent a follow-up letter reiterating these demands and invoking the cease-and-desist provision of FDCPA 1692c ( c ), prohibiting further contact pending validation.

In early September 2025, ARStrat nonetheless mailed a collection letter to my Pennsylvania address, demanding immediate payment and enclosing incomplete XXXX XXXX statements lacking service dates, my signature, or payment recordsevidence of non-compliance with validation requirements under Regulation F 1006.34 ( c ). 
On XXXX XXXX XXXX I dispatched a further notice, entitled " Final Demand for Debt Validation and Immediate Cessation of Harassing Communication, '' via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to compel adherence to statutory obligations. Therein, I reaffirmed the dispute : " This correspondence is sent via Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to establish a verifiable paper trail in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) and 12 C.F.R. Part 1006. I dispute this debt in its entirety, as I have done consistently since my first request on XXXX XXXX XXXX '' I expressly prohibited unauthorized reporting : " You are prohibited from reporting or continuing to report this debt to any consumer reporting agency while it remains disputed '' ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 8 ), 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 3 ) ). The executive summary articulated the breach : " This letter serves as a final demand for debt validation following your continued transmission of collection letters, including your latest dated XXXX XXXX XXXX despite my multiple requests for validation on XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and again today, XXXX XXXX XXXX The alleged debt, referenced as ARStrat Account # XXXX and tied to XXXX XXXX with a claimed total of {$230.00}, remains unverified. Your failure to provide proper validation in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) and Tex. Fin. Code Ann. 392.304, coupled with ongoing correspondence, constitutes harassment in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq., Pennsylvania Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act ( FCEUA ), 73 P.S. 2270.1 et seq., Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law ( UTPCPL ), 73 P.S. 201-1 et seq., and Texas Debt Collection Act ( TDCA ), Tex. Fin. Code Ann. 392.001 et seq. '' I further demanded record preservation : " Please preserve all records and communications related to this account, as they may be subject to regulatory and judicial review. Failure to preserve these records will be treated as spoliation of evidence and raised with regulators and courts. '' The notice was mailed via Priority Mail ( XXXX XXXX weight, up to {$100.00} insurance ) from the XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX  on XXXX XXXX XXXX, and delivered on XXXX XXXX XXXX, at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( tracking # XXXX ). 
ARStrat 's XXXX XXXX XXXX response, styled as " Debt Validation, '' enclosed only the prior incomplete bills for accounts # XXXX, # XXXX, and # XXXX, with inconsistent calculations ( {$560.00} gross charges reduced by unexplained adjustments of - {$95.00} and- {$330.00} to yield {$230.00} ), absent any signed contract, affidavit, or assignment documentation. Reference inconsistencies ( e.g., # XXXX paired with varying account details ) suggest an attempt to evade validation timelines under Regulation F 1006.34 ( c ) ( XXXX ) ( i ). As of XXXX XXXX XXXX, collection efforts continue unabated. All correspondence has been mailed to my address, with services originating from XXXX XXXX in Pennsylvania. 
These actions constitute violations of : FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ), 1692c ( c ), 1692d, 1692e, 1692f ), by failing to validate the debt upon request, ceasing communications during the dispute period, and using misleading and harassing tactics.

Regulation F ( 12 C.F.R. Part 1006 ), implementing FDCPA requirements for debt validation notices ( 1006.34 ( a ) - ( c ) ) and prohibiting continued collection without verification ( 1006.34 ( c ) ( 3 ) ). 

As the aggrieved consumer, I have incurred unnecessary time and stress in enforcing these rights, including disrupted focus on daily responsibilities and ongoing concern over potential credit impacts. 
I hereby demand that your Bureau : Investigate ARStrat 's dispute practices for systemic violations of FDCPA and Regulation F. 
Enjoin further contact pending full validation, or dismiss the claim, and direct credit report corrections. 
Impose appropriate penalties pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1692k, including statutory damages up to {$1000.00}. 
Facilitate mediation for resolution. 

I authorize contact with ARStrat on my behalf and am available for further information. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation