Consumer complaint received 2024-12-05 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Cedars Business Services, LLC
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Summary in response to alleged debt applied to my credit report by Cedars Business Services , LLC XXXX Account Summary : Reference # XXXX Creditor : XXXX Creditor Account # : XXXX ( Alleged ) Amount Due : {$530.00} In XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter from Cedars Business Services, dated XX/XX/XXXX, advising me of an alleged debt owed to XXXX in the amount of {$530.00}. 

As I had not purchased any items through XXXX, I began to research the origin and validity of this alleged debt. I spoke with a representative at Cedars Business Services who advised me that the item associated with the outstanding debt was an air conditioning unit purchased through a third-party, XXXX. I was advised to contact XXXX to obtain further information. 

After speaking with a representative from XXXX, I learned that on XX/XX/XXXX, someone, ( not myself ) requested to return the item and receive a refund. I was further advised that XXXX refunded the amount to the requesting individual prior to receiving the returned item ( air conditioner ). XXXX would not disclose the name of the individual who requested the refund nor the credit card number that was used to process the refund. However, they did provide the following email and phone number affiliated with the return request neither of which am I associated with : XXXX and ( XXXX ) XXXX. 

While speaking to XXXX, they disclosed that after the refund was completed, they received a box that did not contain the item. In response, they initiated collection actions to recover the cost of the unit. 

I looked back through my XXXX purchase history to find that on XX/XX/XXXX, I purchased an air conditioning unit on XXXX in the amount of {$530.00}. I paid for the item with my XXXX XXXX ( card ending in XXXX ). According to my proof of purchase, the unit originated from an XXXX third-party vendor ( XXXX ). Following the purchase, I received the unit and continue to have it in my possession. I provided proof of purchase to Cedars Business Services to validate they had the wrong person in collections. 

Despite providing verification of payment in full for the item, proving the collection agency had inaccurate contact information ( email and phone number ), inaccurate amount allegedly owed on file, and last four ( 4 ) of credit card refunded was not provided. When asked, they ( Cedars ) stated they could not provide me the last four ( 4 ) digits of the credit card XXXX refunded when the refund was requested in XXXX of XXXX. They said they would speak with XXXX to investigate. I have not been provided any information regarding the alleged interaction that was to occur between the XXXX for the investigation of this issue. 

On one of my many calls to Cedars, I was advised to file a police report locally to document this matter and to alert law enforcement to what is clearly some form of an organized fraud scheme. 

To assist in the resolution of this matter, I went to the local police department ( XXXX, XXXX # XXXX ), and spoke with an officer. The officer said this was a small claims issue and not considered a crime they could write a report for. I followed up with Cedars Business Services to inform them that I could not obtain a police report. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a certified returned receipt letter to Cedars Business Services requesting debt validation for the alleged debt. It was received by Cedars Business Services on XX/XX/XXXX. I stated in the letter to Cedars Business Services to provide validation of the alleged debt in thirty ( 30 ) days from the date of receipt ( XX/XX/XXXX ), and to respond to my validation request. Thirty days to provide debt validation information has passed. I have not received a response to my request as of today XX/XX/XXXX. 

Timeline of calls ( 1 ), emails ( 2 ), and letter ( 3 ) : 1. Calls to Cedars Business Services : ( date/length ) XX/XX/XXXX - XXXX min XX/XX/XXXX - XXXX min XX/XX/XXXX - XXXX min XX/XX/XXXX - XXXX min XX/XX/XXXX - XXXX min XXXX. Emails ( include XXXX receipt showing XXXX ending XXXX ) : TO Cedars : XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX FROM Cedars : XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX XXXX. Certified Return Receipt Validation letter sent XX/XX/XXXX ( Cedars received XX/XX/XXXX )

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation