Consumer complaint received 2025-07-09 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: DE

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding a {$170.00} collection account reported by Harris & Harris , Ltd on behalf of XXXX XXXX This collection is invalid, unverified, and has caused serious and unjust damage to my credit score, dropping it by over XXXX points the day after I applied for my first home. 

I was a XXXX customer and closed my account after multiple billing issues. I was assured by multiple XXXX representatives that my account was up to date, that any remaining charges were their mistake, and that the final balance would be credited in full. I was enrolled in autopay and never received a final bill, letter, or call prior to XXXX sending to collections. I have a downloaded chat transcript from a XXXX agent, in which the representative admits fault, confirms the credit was issued, and promises I would receive written documentation confirming I owed nothing. That documentation was never sent, nor was the account credited. 

XXXX improperly sent the disputed balance to collections, and Harris & Harris reported it to the credit bureaus without properly notifying me or giving me an opportunity to dispute it. 

I contacted Harris & Harris immediately. During an hour-long phone call, the representative : Refused to provide a debt validation letter. Stating the one sketchy text I assumed was a scam and then blocked was enough to verify that they did notify me of and attempted to collect the false debt prior to a derogatory mark on my credit report. After I questioned further she stated, yes, I could mail something to a XXXX XXXX but that it could take 6 weeks for them to look at it and an additional 45 days before they were required to mail a response. 

Refused to send anything in writing, including a pay-for-delete agreement. 

Told me any tangible documentation was not an option and impossible until the debt was paid in full, and that because our call was recorded, I didn't need anything in writing anyway. Although I was not allowed to have a copy of this recording in lue of written documentation. 

Said she " can't tell me that '' and was not allowed or able to explain how to dispute the debt. 

D

irected me to their website to make any of my request, which only offers an option to pay, not to dispute or upload evidence. Refused to direct me, or transfer me to any other staff who may be abl
e to assist me. 

Dismissed my concerns and told me, If it were me, I wouldve looked into it sooner, after I explained that I believed the text I received was a scam I told the agent I did not authorize any remarks to be placed on my credit report after she threatened to mark it as " declined to pay ''. Despite this, right after my call with her and Harris & Hariss, and less than 24 hours after the initial reporting, the account was updated with new negative language, which caused a second drop to my credit score. 

These actions represent multiple violations of the law, including but not limited to : FDCPA 1692g failure to provide debt validation FDCPA 1692e ( 10 ) use of deceptive means to collect a debt FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ) furnishing inaccurate or misleading information FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ) failure to investigate and correct disputed data This situation has caused serious harm. I was only XXXX points away from a XXXX XXXX XXXX, which I had worked years to achieve. Because of this collection, I am now at risk of being denied housing. 

I have attached the chat transcript from XXXX where they admitted fault and promised resolution, as well as proof of the credit report entry and damage to my score. And proof my call

with Harris and Harris. Thank you for your time and consideration in reviewing this matte
r. I am seeking a fair and lawful correction of a situation that has had a significant impact on my financial standing, through no fault of my own.

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