Consumer complaint received 2024-03-09 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Kimball, Tirey & St. John LLP
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
To Kimball, Tirey & St John LLP, On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a collection letter from Kimball , Tirey & St John LLP. In the letter, they believed I owed an individual named " XXXX XXXX '' in the amount of {$1500.00} in XXXX. Kimball, Tirey & St John LLP asked me to respond by XX/XX/XXXX to dispute this claim if I wish to. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent certified mail stating why I do not owe this money and asking for a Debt Validation Letter. I then contacted Kimball, Tirey & St John LLP, who confirmed that they received my letter. I was told by XXXX XXXX, my case agent, that he would send out a debt validation letter, and I should receive it around XX/XX/XXXX. I have also sent out certified mail and asked for the name and address of the original creditor. 

I have a USPS notification set up, and I would receive a scan of my daily or future mail cover. I received a cover of the first mail ( notification ) but nothing from Kimball , Tirey & St John LLP since I sent the certified dispute letter. I also check my mailbox daily, and nothing was sent by Kimball, Tirey & St John LLP. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I still had not received a Debt Validation Letter from Kimball, Tirey & St John LLP. On the morning of XX/XX/XXXX, I received a notification from my XXXX credit bureau that Kimball, Tirey & St John LLP had posted this amount as a " collection '' on my personal record and damaged my credit significantly. 

I called and asked XXXX XXXX how his company could post this as a " Collection '' on my account if I had not received any Debt Validation Letter. The response I received was that, " we sent it out on XX/XX/XXXX. '' I asked if there was any proof that it was sent, such as if it was a certified mail or any receipt. The answer I received was " no. '' I was also told that he had acted within the law to post it to my credit bureau. I find it strange because I received no Debt Validation Letter and no proof or evidence of it ever being sent to me. At his time, I do not believe the action of Kimball, Tirey & St John LLP was within the law. 

A collection agency, especially one that has the ability to damage one 's credit, should know that evidence/proof is crucial. 

I also find it strange that the initial notice letter arrived without any issue, but when I asked for the debt validation letter, suddenly, there was an issue, and I was not getting it. 

I have asked Kimball, Tirey & St John LLP to send me the debt validation letter and the name/address of the original creditor on XX/XX/XXXX, but I do not know if I will receive it based on this incident. 

Regardless, there is no proof/evidence of why I should pay for something that there was no proof I owe. Without the requested information and having posted this as a " collection '' to my credit account, I believe they have acted with malicious intent by using this threatening tactic to damage my credit in order for me to pay for something without validation.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation