Consumer complaint received 2024-09-11 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: P.S.C., Inc
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau RE : Dispute against Puget Sound Collections P.S.C. , Inc. 
Account # XXXX Amount {$780.00} Date : XX/XX/XXXX Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to file a formal complaint against Puget Sound Collections P.S.C. , Inc. , a Corporation of Washington, for violating my consumer rights. I believe this collection agency is engaging in unlawful practices and failing to comply with federal regulations. 
Key points of my dispute : Congress passed the No Surprises Act to protect consumers from unexpected medical bills The CFPB has instructed debt collectors and consumer credit reporting companies that they can not collect, furnish, or report any invalid medical debt. 
https : //www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/medical-debt-anything-already-paid-or-under-500-should-no-longer-be-on-your-credit-report/ Specific violations by Puget Sound Collections P.S.C. , Inc. : The collection agency has not provided validation information as required under 12 CFR 1006.34 ( b ) ( 5 ), yet they have placed a collection on my consumer report.

I have not been given an opportunity to dispute the account as required by 12 CFR 1006.34 ( c ) ( 4 ) ( i ). 
The collection agency is violating my consumer rights by using false, misleading, misrepresentative, and deceptive means. 12 CFR 1006.18 The collection agency has no authority to furnish any account to consumer reporting agencies without providing all disclosures required by law, which is a clear violation of 12 CFR 1006.34 ( d ) and15 U.S. Code 1681, 15 USC 1681-S2 ( 7 ) ( A ) I hereby dispute owning ANY and ALL debts to Puget Sound Collections P.S.C. , Inc . Furthermore, I am revoking all rights for them to communicate with me via email, text, or phone calls.

I am requesting the following from Puget Sound Collections P.S.C. , Inc. : Full debt validation as required by law. 
The purchase agreement between them and the original creditor. 
Proof that they are licensed and bonded to operate as a collection agency in the state of Washington. 
*** It's worth noting that as of my last check on the NMLS Consumer Access website ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ), Puget Sound Collections P.S.C. , Inc. does not have a license on file for the state of Washington.

RCW 19.16.110 states that a person must have a license from the director to act as a collection agency or out-of-state collection agency. This includes advertising or assuming to act as a collection agency RCW 19.16.430 Operating a collection agency without a license is a violation that can result in a fine of up to {$500.00}, up to one year in jail, or both RCW 19.16.430 ViolationsOperating agency without a licensePenaltyReturn of fees or compensation.

( 1 ) Any person who knowingly operates as a collection agency or out-of-state collection agency without a license or knowingly aids and abets such violation is punishable by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.

( 2 ) Any person who operates as a collection agency or out-of-state collection agency in the state of Washington without a valid license issued pursuant to this chapter shall not charge or receive any fee or compensation on any moneys received or collected while operating without a license or on any moneys received or collected while operating with a license but received or collected as a result of his, her, or its acts as a collection agency or out-of-state collection agency while not licensed hereunder. All such moneys collected or received shall be forthwith returned to the owners of the accounts on which the moneys were paid. 

I kindly request that the CFPB investigate these violations and take appropriate action to protect my rights as a consumer and help me remove the collection ( s ) from my credit report. 
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation