Consumer complaint received 2024-09-10 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, A Professional Corporation
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
This Complaint is related to a debt collection practice by a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) and collection firm XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) which has the potential to effect hundreds of consumers. 

I returned home from a lengthy vacation in early XXXX. At that time, I had several correspondences- XXXX of which was from the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. The correspondence indicated I owed {$XXXX}, that the payment was due by XX/XX/XXXX and provided methods of payment. The amount owed included late fees, interest and a collection fee as I was past due on my quarterly payments for the year. Given the property XXXX sent a letter directly to me with methods of payment ( none of which mentioned the collection firm ), I responded to same. I sent a money order for {$XXXX} on XX/XX/XXXX to the address provided in the letter in compliance with the directives provided. I have proof that the money order was received by the property management company on XX/XX/XXXX ( attached ). 

The money order was subsequently returned to me by the collection firm in late XXXX ( well after the due date ) indicating they were in control of my debt as of XX/XX/XXXX. They further indicated they sent a letter on XX/XX/XXXX which indicated I actually owed {$XXXX}. This letter was sent prior to the letter I received from the property management company which indicated I owed {$XXXX}. As such, I formerly disputed the alleged amount owed and I advised the firm that I received a subsequent correspondence from the debtor itself which conflicted with the collection firm 's claimed amount owed. I further stated that I sent the money order for the full amount owed which included late fees, interest and collection costs to the property management company in response to a letter that I received from them. Candidly, I believe the collection firm is attempting to collect additional fees it is not entitled to. I did not receive any further correspondence from the collection firm after I sent this letter. 

Since that time, the XXXX XXXX has sent me an additional bill dated XX/XX/XXXX. I called the XXXX XXXX today indicating I have been trying to pay the bill, but they have yet to cash the money order for the alleged amount owed. I have XXXX open tickets showing contacts between XXXX and today. I indicated today that I intended to file a Complaint given the XXXX XXXX continued to send me bills but had not accepted my money order for the amount they claimed I owed. Just a few hours later, a Complaint was left at my residence. In the Complaint, the collection firm alleges the debt that is owed to XXXX XXXX is {$380.00}. They further allege they are entitled to attorneys fees and costs for the filing of the Complaint in the amount of approximately {$800.00}. I attempted to pay the alleged debt owed well before the filing of any Complaint. I believe the filing of the Complaint is another attempt to collect additional fees to which the collection firm is not entitled by contract or law.

Company response to consumer: Untimely response