Consumer complaint received 2025-08-21 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUTSOURCING, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint against Fair Collections & Outsourcing ( FCO ) regarding a collection account that they have placed on my credit report. The account is being reported based on an estimate of a bill rather than an actual final, itemized, and verified charge. 

This debt appears fraudulent because it is based on an estimated bill, and I was XXXX at the time the lease was signed. Furthermore, the lease agreement in question was signed electronically, with no copies of my ID ever provided or verified to confirm that I was present or authorized the agreement. I did not reside in the apartment during that lease term. Instead, I stayed with a relative until I purchased my home in XX/XX/XXXX, while the apartment move-out was not until XX/XX/XXXX. Despite these facts, FCO continues to report the account as if I were responsible for the estimated charges. 



Prior Communications with FCO 1. Debt Validation Request ( Certified Mail & Email ) I previously sent a formal validation request to FCO requesting : An itemized breakdown of the alleged charges. 
Documentation from the original creditor supporting the debt. 
Proof that I am legally responsible for the debt. 
In response, FCO only provided a lease agreement signed electronically and a bill that was clearly labeled as an estimate. No final billing statement, ID verification, or itemized charges were ever provided.

2. Follow-Up Attempts ( Email, No Response ) I followed up twice via email after my initial request, but FCO did not respond to either communication. At no point did they send any further documentation or itemized statements validating this debt. This lack of response shows that they are unwilling or unable to provide the legally required validation. 
XXXX. Phone Contact Attempts On XX/XX/XXXX, I called FCO and specifically requested the necessary documentation to validate the debt so that I could properly investigate and, if appropriate, resolve the matter. I made it clear during this call that the account appeared fraudulent because the balance was based only on an estimate. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I called again for the same purpose, but once again, I was not provided with the required documentation. Instead, I was told the account would remain in collections despite the fact that the charges have not been proven. 



Basis of Complaint The debt is being reported to the credit bureaus without complete or accurate validation. 
The only documentation provided by XXXX is an electronically signed lease ( with no ID verification ) and an estimated bill, not a final invoice. 
I was XXXX during the time the lease was signed and did not live in the unit. 
I lived with a relative until purchasing my home in XX/XX/XXXX, well before the units move-out in XX/XX/XXXX, making this claim inaccurate. 
FCO has failed to comply with my lawful request for validation under the FDCPA.

By continuing to report this unverifiable information, FCO is in violation of the FCRA, which requires that only accurate and fully verifiable information be furnished to credit reporting agencies.

My attempts to resolve this matter directly with FCO have been unsuccessful despite written requests, email follow-ups, and multiple phone calls.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation