Consumer complaint received 2025-03-02 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Indicated you were committing crime by not paying debt
Company: Accounts Receivables, Inc. (FL)
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Received an email from " XXXX '', It said " Is your license suspended- look for yourself from XXXX. It them went into questioning if my license was suspended, or if I would have issues with renewing my Tags. It still has not informed me that this is an attempt to collect a debt. It then goes into navigating to the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX of Courts website, it gives me instructions on how to navigate to that webpage and what to enter to see if my license is suspended and to review outstanding fines or see if I have any active warrants for my arrest. It then goes into verbiage about retaining an attorney, and then it gives a payment portal link and XXXX ID. The last part of this email is where it informs me that this is a communication from a debt collector in an attempt to collect a debt. 

Deceptive or XXXX XXXX ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ) The opening of the email creates a sense of urgency and fear by suggesting that XXXX XXXX be driving on a suspended license, even before confirming the debt. 
The use of bold and large green text could be seen as an attempt to pressure the recipient into immediate action. 
Failure to Clearly State Its a Debt Collection Attempt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 11 ) ) While the bottom of the email states it is from a debt collector, the initial wording is misleading and does not immediately disclose that it is a debt collection attempt. 
The beginning of the email does not make it clear that its about a debt owed for a traffic ticketinstead, it makes it seem like an urgent legal issue. 
Unfair or Unconscionable Means ( 15 U.S.C. 1692f ) The email may unfairly intimidate the recipient into paying quickly without investigating the legitimacy of the debt.

It pressures the recipient by making them feel like they are committing a crime ( driving on a suspended license ) when the email is really about an unpaid fine.

False or Misleading Representation of Legal Consequences ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 5 ) ) If the debt collector does not have the legal power to suspend a license, the wording could be considered a false threat. 
Potential FCCPA Violations ( Florida Law ) Misrepresentation of Legal Status ( 559.72 ( 9 ), Florida Statutes ) Under Florida law, a debt collector can not falsely represent that failing to pay the debt will result in license suspension unless it is directly authorized by law.

The email strongly implies that the recipient is currently driving on a suspended license, which may be misleading.

Harassment or Abuse ( 559.72 ( 7 ) ) The tone and formatting of the message ( bold green text, fear-inducing language ) XXXX be considered harassment or undue pressure. 

Making a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX a XXXX XXXX debt collector designs a letter to look like an official court summons, even though no lawsuit has been filed. 
The consumer panics and immediately pays the debt without verifying its legitimacy. 
Misleading a XXXX into Ignoring a Legal Notice A debt collector mails a real lawsuit notice but writes " This is not a legal notice '' to trick the consumer into ignoring it. 
The consumer misses a court date, resulting in a default judgment against them. 
Using Government-Style Formatting to Imply Authority A letter is sent with fake seals, official-looking letterhead, or bold red Final Notice warnings, making it seem like a government action. 
In reality, its just a regular collection letter with no legal weight. 
Disguising a Debt Collection LetteXXXX as an Informational Notice A letter claims to be " important vehicle information '' but is actually about an unpaid traffic fine. 
The consumer thinks its about their registration renewal instead of debt collection. 

The opening statement creates the impression that the email is an urgent legal matter related to license suspension, rather than a debt collection attempt. 
The green bold text and fear-inducing language might mislead the recipient into thinking its from a government agency, rather than a private debt collector.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation