Consumer complaint received 2023-07-24 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action — Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
Company: TRANSWORLD SYSTEMS INC
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Transworld Systems Inc. ( TSI ) is acting as a debt collection agency for XXXX XXXX formerly known as XXXX XXXX to collect a purported debt of {$350.00} claimed against me by XXXX XXXX. This amount is premised on the fact that I recalled the {$280.00} I initially paid for ( Application and administrative fee ) ; and they added {$75.00} as fee for the bank recall. The company considers the {$280.00} I paid to be non-refundable regardless of whether they provide services paid for or not, because these fees were tagged non-refundable in the application agreement. Thus they engaged TSI to pursue the debt of {$350.00} with me. 

Upon receiving the notification from Transworld Systems IncXXXX about the debt, I disputed the alleged debt, and provided evidence proving my position but Transworld Systems Inc. failed to perform any due diligence to remediate the matter, rather they are pressuring me and seeking to send this debt into my credit report as a collection item. 

Background to the dispute : I approached XXXX XXXX  to rent their apartment facility in XX/XX/2021. At this time they were only open for showing by appointment. During my initial visit on XX/XX/XXXX I was made aware that I had to pay an application fee of {$80.00}, and administrative fee of {$200.00} to get ahead in the leasing process for which I paid and filled out an online application form. I was scheduled to inspect available apartments on XX/XX/2021, and after the inspection, I voiced my reservations regarding the substandard condition of the apartments shown to me, which were unsuitable for my family. In response, I explicitly asked the Leasing Associate and Director of Leasing, with whom I met during the visit, to furnish me with a list of newer apartments for inspection. Both individuals assured me that they would supply me with the list of new apartments once they became accessible and also promised to provide all necessary assistance in locating a suitable residence within the XXXXXXXX XXXX complex. On XX/XX/2021, I was informed by email of the availability of apartments XXXX ( # XXXX ) and XXXX ( # XXXX XXXX ), both within my budget. I expressed interest in apartment XXXX and requested further information about the amenities via email. However, I did not receive any response. I called the office multiple times but to no avail, I had to find alternative housing. Based on the aforementioned circumstances, wherein my diligent efforts to gather information to proceed with the leasing process were met with complete silence and unresponsiveness from XXXX XXXX, I went through my financial institution to recall the funds I paid for the application and administration fees on XX/XX/2021. I maintain a strong belief that the company failed to fulfill their contractual obligations. Therefore, I deemed the responsibilities highlighted for XXXX XXXX under disclosures 1 and 2 regarding in the application agreement inconclusive and unfulfilled. They neither reached out to fulfill the services that I paid for, nor rejected my application at any time. Under Texas law ( Texas Business and Commerce Code, Chapter 35, Section 35.47 ), it is expressly prohibited for companies to collect fees or monetary amounts without rendering the accompanying services. 

Although the application fees were tagged non-refundable, paying the fees is precedent of the company 's responsibilities to help me find a suitable apartment within their complex. However, in this case the services for which the non-refundable administrative fee was charged were not provided, it is well within my rights to seek a refund of said fees as my application was left inconclusive. I was not allocated an apartment, neither did I at any point in time notify the apartment complex of my decision to abandon my application. 

I provided this information in a letter to Transworld Systems Inc, in hopes that they would carry out an independent assessment of the matter and be an unbiased umpire towards resolving the issue amicably. To my utmost dismay, Transworld Systems Inc seems to be more interested in just collecting the debt rather than remediation. I have kept in touch with Transworld Systems Inc through the period since they reached out to me, and provided all necessary information and support to assist them in discharging their duties. However, during my last telephone conversation with a team lead within Transworld Systems Inc 's collection department, I was informed that the debt is eligible for reporting to my credit report and paying the debt would not guarantee that it would not be reported as a collection in my credit report. This prompted me to lodge this complaint because I do not believe that to be a fair assessment and resolution of the case, by Transworld Systems Inc. ( TSI ). I hereby request that you stop Transworld Systems Inc from reporting this debt into my credit report as a collection until the case is professionally investigated and resolved.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation