Consumer complaint received 2025-05-07 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: National Credit Systems,Inc.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
In XX/XX/XXXX, my son moved out of an apartment managed by XXXX XXXX XXXX, with the final move-out date being XX/XX/XXXX. XX/XX/XXXX, I received an invoice for {$290.00}, which included a {$100.00} late move-out fee, a {$16.00} common area charge, and other charges. After reviewing the invoice, I had questions about the validity of several charges. 

I made multiple phone calls to XXXX XXXX XXXX, initially attempting to speak with a representative named XXXX XXXX, but was unsuccessful. After continued attempts, I was directed to communicate with XXXX XXXX via email. Despite emailing XXXX XXXX, I received no response. No meeting was ever scheduled with a representative for a move-out inspection, which is why the photos used to justify the {$16.00} common area charge were taken prematurely while my son was still moving items to storage. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a notification from National Credit Systems ( NCS ) that the disputed balance had been sent to collections. I contacted NCS and spoke with XXXX XXXX, explaining my dispute. XXXX XXXX stated that the debt had been resubmitted to XXXX for review, but I was never provided with any documentation or explanation validating the charges. Instead, I was simply told the debt is accurate. 

Key Disputed Charges : {$100.00} Late Move-Out Fee : The lease does not authorize a flat late move-out fee. The only remedy specified in the lease for staying past the lease end date is double daily rent in the case of a holdover. Holdover means remaining in the unit beyond the lease end date without vacating. My son vacated the unit on XX/XX/XXXX, and no holdover was triggered. No double daily rent was assessed, which further confirms that no holdover status occurred. 
{$16.00} Common Area Charge : This charge is unjustified because the photos used as evidence were taken while my son was still in the process of moving items to storage. Since no formal move-out inspection was conducted, and no representative was present to confirm conditions, this charge was improperly assessed. 
Accounting Discrepancy : On XX/XX/XXXX, I made a payment of {$170.00}, which I believed exceeded the amount I owed based on my review. However, I later received a statement showing only {$73.00} as paid. This unexplained accounting discrepancy has never been corrected. 
Despite my ongoing efforts to resolve these issues directly with XXXX and through NCS, they continued to report the full {$110.00} balance as a delinquent debt to XXXX XXXX, and XXXX 

In XX/XX/XXXX, I submitted a formal dispute to National Credit Systems, requesting validation of the debt. NCS responded by sending a copy of the lease, which does not support the charges in question. No other documentation was provided. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a Final Legal Notice to National Credit Systems, demanding removal of the {$110.00} balance from my credit reports and requesting written confirmation of resolution. Despite this, NCS has failed to respond or correct the inaccurate reporting. 

I am requesting that the CFPB : Investigate this matter to ensure the inaccurate charges are removed from my credit reports. 
Require National Credit Systems and XXXX XXXX XXXX to provide clear and legally valid documentation supporting charges reported. 
Hold National Credit Systems and XXXX XXXX XXXX accountable for any violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act ( FDUTPA ).

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation