Consumer complaint received 2025-12-30 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: HF Holdings
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding XXXX deceptive and misleading billing practices related to a disputed service fee that has now been referred to a third-party collection agency. 

I initially enrolled in XXXX believing that its subscription covered bill analysis and negotiation services. At no point did I understand that I was being separately transferred or referred to a third-party service that would independently impose a substantial upfront fee. The transition from XXXX to XXXX was not clearly disclosed in a way that a reasonable consumer would understand that additional charges would apply outside of the XXXX subscription. 

Before agreeing to proceed, I was verbally informed that XXXX anticipated approximately {$1900.00} in savings related to an XXXX bill over a projected XXXX period. 

The first and only invoice I subsequently received instead reflected a {$20.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX savings and charged a service fee of {$790.00} due immediately ( attached ). 

I did not agree to this service fee. 

I formally disputed the invoice with XXXX at the time it was issued in XX/XX/year> and opened a support ticket, but XXXX declined to reverse or cancel the charge and instead continued to pursue payment. 

XXXX markets its services by stating that consumers can enter their bills and choose whether to proceed based on potential savings. I elected to move forward under the understanding that any fee would be reasonable, transparent, and tied to actual, realized benefit. 

Despite my immediate objection and lack of acceptance of the result, XXXX asserted that the negotiation could not be reversed and that I was locked in. I did not receive meaningful disclosure at the time of authorization that fees could be imposed upfront based on projected savings regardless of whether those savings were realized or accepted. 

Critically : I did not realize or accept the purported savings. 
I did not agree to the billed amount. 
I disputed the fee promptly. 
XXXX nevertheless treated the fee as final and referred it to collections. 

XXXX then assigned or referred the disputed amount to HF Holdings , Inc., a debt collection agency, which is now attempting to collect on this contested service fee and has threatened potential credit reporting. 

I believe XXXX conduct is deceptive and unfair because : The fee structure was not clearly disclosed in a way that a reasonable consumer would understand. 
Fees were charged based on projected, unrealized savings. 
Consumers are billed even when they reject the outcome. 
Consumers are told negotiations can not be reversed. 
Disputed fees are referred to collections instead of being resolved. 

This appears to be a systemic issue based on similar consumer complaints regarding XXXX practices. 

I also want to note that the invoice referenced by HF Holdings was never previously provided to me. I have reviewed my email records and can not locate this invoice anywhere in my communications with XXXX. This is the first time I have seen this document. As a result, I dispute the validity and accuracy of the invoice and request full debt validation, including proof that this invoice was ever delivered to me prior to referral to collections.

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