Consumer complaint received 2025-07-22 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Telecommunications debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: Harris & Harris, Ltd.
State: MN

Complaint narrative:
I am currently in the process of getting an auto loan through my bank. During their credit check, they informed me that they were unable to proceed due to the collection on my account. After checking my own credit report, I saw a collections report from " Harris & Harris '' on behalf of XXXX for {$53.00} from XXXX. That was the first I had heard of the debt, so I contacted them on XX/XX/XXXX. They told me they had attempted to call me, email me, and mail me. Upon reviewing my phone records, I have no missed calls from unknown numbers that could be Harris & Harris. They claim they attempted to call multiple times since XXXX and are unable to leave voicemails with even their name and phone number for a callback. Again, I received no phone calls from this company or any unknown numbers that could reasonably be from them. They told me the address they mailed letters to me at was my old address I had moved away from, which is why my XXXX services were disconnected. I signed up to receive forwarded mail at my new address through USPS, but never received mail from them at my new address. They also claimed they emailed me at my current email address, but I have also not received anything there. I asked them for the specific email it would've come from, and checked my spam, junk, and trash inboxes as well, but can't find anything related to them whatsoever. I also never received anything from XXXX directly before it was sent to collections. Regardless, I paid my bill in full upon calling them and requested a paid-in-full letter, as I need to send it to my bank to move forward with my loan. I reiterated to them that if I had actually been made aware of my bill of {$53.00}, I would have happily paid it immediately without needing it to move to collections without my knowledge and show up on my credit report. They informed me that once they processed my payment, a paid-in-full letter request would be generated. I followed up with them on XX/XX/XXXX, asking for an update. The woman I spoke to informed me that a request for my paid-in-full letter was put in on XX/XX/XXXX and would be arriving XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX pm at the latest. I then called back later that day with a follow-up question I had forgotten to ask. I asked them if the letter would be going to my email or being mailed out to me. She told me they didn't have my email address, so she thought it might be going out in the mail, but wasn't sure. She added my email to the file. She informed me that she thought I would receive an email that day, XX/XX/XXXX, if my email was in the file. After not receiving anything yesterday, XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted them today, XX/XX/XXXX, to find out what happened. The person I spoke with today informed me an email was sent out to me on XX/XX/XXXX. Just like the issue with getting their alleged original emails, I didn't receive anything. I asked for the specific email it came from, as well as just searching for " Harris & Harris '' and looking through each email I received, but couldn't find anything. I checked my spam, junk, trash, and every other folder an email could possibly end up. I also double-checked that they weren't a blocked email from me. I informed the woman that I had nothing, and she said all she could do was put in another request. I informed her that it was not going to help if I was not receiving any of the emails they claimed to have sent already. She put in a request for it to be mailed out, but they refuse to send me any sort of payoff letter or verification that they contacted me. I have contacted XXXX as well, requesting a payoff letter, but haven't received it. I am very frustrated with this law office, especially because I formerly worked at a debt collection law firm and can not fathom their lack of communication with me regarding a debt. Thank you for your time

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation