Consumer complaint received 2023-12-19 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Telecommunications debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Alliance One, Inc.
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
To whom it may concern, I write to you begrudgingly with disappointment and frustration in how much time and effort a working class man has to defend his credibility against XXXX XXXX  businesses who can far more easily afford that same time and effort to accuse, threaten, bully, and swindle a consumer. I intend to send this exact copy to XXXX Alliance One Receivables Management , XXXX XXXX XXXX , Ohio Attorney General, and Bureau of Consumer Protection . However, some make it more obscure how to contact. Who carries the burden of proof in a heightened time of scam and fraud?

I received a letter from Alliance One issued XX/XX/XXXX that as of XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX I owe {$50.00} for a XXXX  account. XX/XX/XXXX I ordered home internet from XXXX to have device sent to my home. XX/XX/23 received email receipt for {$0.00} and order tracking. XX/XX/23 email confirmation of package delivered. XX/XX/23 email of bill for {$50.00} for service plan. XX/XX/23 received email of what to expect for first bill. Stated first full month of service would be charged and XXXX  day test drive ends XX/XX/23. XX/XX/23 email confirmation of {$50.00} payment and auto pay set up. XX/XX/23 email confirmation of account set up and registration. Bank statements show XXXXXXXX auto pay for {$50.00} paid out of my checking account on XX/XX/23 and XX/XX/23. XX/XX/23 email confirmation that I cancelled service and had XXXX  days to return device. XX/XX/23 bill  issued by XXXX sent to my home. Very confusing bill with various amounts. XX/XX/23 paid total due amount of {$23.00} as XXXX bill  indicated. XXXX bill shows {$23.00} total due, shows a {$50.00} due immediately, shows a {$26.00} credit, and shows a onetime charge of {$0.00}. I also have proof of shipping device back.

I hope it goes without saying the math and timeframe does not make sense. I ordered service XX/XX/23. XXXX  day test drive. Paid XXXX  month on XX/XX/23 which would presumably cover to middle of XXXX. Paid XXXX  month on XX/XX/23 which would presumably cover to middle of XXXX. Canceled service middle of XXXX. Then received and paid bill I dont think I should have had to pay due to cancelling. Then received notice of collection for {$50.00} service that was cancelled. How does something get sent to collections on a consumer if they have not even received a bill? Obviously they have my email and address. Regardless, why do I still owe? For what period of time did I already pay yet still owe for what period of time?

Let us focus on the principle here rather than an insult of the ability to pay. This is not the first time I or someone I know of has faced these shady and poorly investigated attacks on consumers. Who is responsible for validating the claim? Would a consumer suffer more from the error and of {$50.00} or a XXXX XXXX  business? I am a middle aged XXXX XXXX Veteran who has worked hard his entire life to support family, children, and self in living the American dream. Ive exhausted myself to build credibility and have availability to good lender options. This is a manipulation to squeeze small amounts out of thousands of people to profit an already profitable business while causing harm and XXXX  to the consumer. What harm is it to big  business to thoroughly investigate validity before going after the little man. Why am I so short on time to respond to my original accuser before debt collection grabs hold to run with it? Who failed to review all facts? Is there no oversight or quality control?

I never work less than XXXX hours in a week and it can range to XXXX. Why do I have to spend this time doing the outreach and research that should already be done to protect the consumer. Is there some fine print meant to deceive that I missed? Have I not read through the strategically lengthy legislature that is made so readily available to all consumers? How easy is it for a consumer to simply submit to a small claim instead of spending thousands of dollars for legal representation? Worse, how disrupting to life would it be for a consumer to fumble through court proceedings alone to protect their credibility and stand for the principle? Let me be clear, I am very aware that a lawyer will not take on these cases because of the expense. It really isnt worth the cost. So does that make it right? What if XXXX XXXX XXXX  of consumers blindly submit to minuscule charges they should not have to pay? XXXX times XXXX equals XXXX XXXX. This is a small example compared to our population. How many customers do my accusers have? What if the consumer does not submit? Does the business go under for {$50.00}? The consumer spends XXXX years recovering and suffering from poor credit. Creating a vicious cycle of consumer disadvantage from which big business can justify to continue charging them more for failure to comply. In which case, big business gains their profit before the consumer even fails and to an extent causes the consumer to fail. 



How many times is this done? How many consumers are oppressed by billionaires? How man

y times have I and so many consumers been tricked, threatened even if done so within confines of legislation, manipulated, accused, and made to pay or suffer? What is that worth? How much money received or charged while no one is the wiser or accountable? This is severely problematic, unacceptable, and unethical. Let us revise how we charge people or place them in default. Beyond not believing that I owe this, I was not even made aware until it became a collection. I never received the promotional gift card from XXXX because they made it so complicated. That is fine but the point is I shouldnt owe because of that. It shows I paid the months of service up to cancellation and paid some bogus half month that I dont agree with. The {$50.00} collection just doesnt make sense. I will send attached documentation for my argument. I am hesitant to send bank statements but will if necessary after marking out personal information to show the charges paid. Please review my case and do no harm to my credit. As stated, Im not afforded that kind of time and it would be extremely taxing on my family.

P.S. Notice the confusion on Alliance Ones email dispute address. Is that to prevent contact or a typo I included the variables to make sure XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief