ComplaintsforAmerican Credit Bureau Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  03/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I revoked authorization for recurrent billing on my credit both by phone and in writing in Dec 2023 and again in Jan and Feb 2024. I requested invoices via email and the company agreed and stated the auto charge on my acccount had been removed. I have not received email invoices as requested and the company is still billing my credit card even though authorization to do so was recinded.

  Business response

  03/07/2024

  All automatic charges have been stopped - the last charge was on 2/8/2024 for the previous month. The latest invoice has been emailed and invoices moving forward will also be emailed.

  Customer response

  03/07/2024

   
  Complaint: 21388270
  
  I am rejecting this response because: My credit card was billed in both Jan and Feb 2024 for those months invoices and in my email yesterday I received an Invoice for Feb 2024 (which was charged to my card on 02/14/2024) with a due date of 03/01/2024.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  03/08/2024

  All automatic charges have been stopped. Future invoices will be emailed.

  Customer response

  03/09/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  12/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with ****** Orthodontist, I do not have a contract with American Credit Bureau, they did not provide me with the original contract as I requested.

  Business response

  01/02/2024

  American Credit Bureau, **** had not received a request for verification of this debt from the consumer until receipt of this BBB complaint. At this time, American Credit Bureau, **** has paused our collection efforts and we are requesting verification of the debt from our client, the Original Credit Grantor, and will forward all documents provided to us by our client to the consumer's listed address. If our client is unable to provide the requested documents within 30 days of the consumer's request, we will close & return the debt to our client and remove all credit reporting of this alleged debt.

• Initial Complaint

  10/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I'm not liable with this debt with ****** on Ambulance, I d not have a contract with American Credit Bureau, they did not provide me with the original contract as i requested.

  Customer response

  10/09/2023

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business response

  10/26/2023

  We have notified the Original Credit Grantor of the consumer's dispute and are requiring documents validating the debt. Upon receipt, we will mail these documents to the consumer. If the Original Credit Grantor is not able to provide documents proving the validity of the consumer debt within 30 days of the consumer's dispute, we will close & return the alleged debt to the Original Credit Grantor and delete any reporting of this alleged debt from the consumer's credit report(s).

• Initial Complaint

  09/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  To Whom it may concern,This letter is to inform you that I recently received a copy of my credit report that your company publishes and after reviewing it I found a number of items on the report that are inaccurate. The accounts in question are listed below. Please send me copies of the documents that you have in your files as of this date that you used to verify the accuracy of the accounts listed below.AMERICAN CREDIT BUREAU (Original Creditor: TLC DENTAL ORTHODONTICS)ACCT #: 5560**BAL. $ ******** Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. ****g I have the right to demand that you disclose to me all of the documents that you have recorded and retained in your file at the time of this request concerning the accounts that you are reporting in my credit report. Please dont respond to my request by saying that these accounts have been verified. Send me copies of the documents that you have in your files that were used to verify them. If you do not have any documentation in your files to verify the accuracy of these disputed accounts then please delete them immediately as required under Section 611(a)(5)(A)(i). By publishing these inaccurate and unverified items on my credit report and distributing them to 3rd parties you are damaging my reputation and credit worthiness.

  Business response

  10/02/2023

  American Credit Bureau, **** has suspended all collection activity on this alleged debt and is requesting the Original Creditor provide documentation requested by the consumer. Upon receipt, American Credit Bureau, **** will mail the documents to the consumer's provided mailing address. If the Original Creditor is unable to provide the requested documents within 30 days from the consumer's request, we will close the alleged debt as well as delete all references of the debt from the consumer's credit report(s).

• Initial Complaint

  02/09/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with ***************** and do not have a contract with American Credit Bureau, **** They have not provided me with the original application, like I asked. 1st violation; American Credit Bureau, **** is in violation of the *** vs ************************ court ruling of "debt parking" and practicing "passive debt collection" due to no prior notification of this debt prior to reporting it to my consumer report. 2nd violation; CFB Reported that "Starting in 2023, medical collections tradelines less than $500 will no longer be reported on consumer credit reports."3rd violation; American Credit Bureau, **** also violates 15 U.S.C. ****, section 602 A, which states that I have a right to privacy.15 U.S.C. ****s-2 (A)(1) A person shall not furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate.

  Business response

  02/10/2023

  On 6/2/2017 American Credit Bureau, *** mailed this consumer a Validation Notice as prescribed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This letter was mailed to the consumer's currently listed mailing address and the letter was not returned to us, so it is assumed that the letter was delivered. Further, on 7/7/2017 and again on 7/27/2017 American Credit Bureau mailed the consumer further notifications of this debt which were also not returned to us. These notices were all mailed prior to listing the alleged debt on the consumer's credit report. We have since received notice of dispute of this debt from the consumer and have been reporting this debt disputed.

  Customer response

  02/10/2023

   
  Complaint: 19373318
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  There has been no prior letter received the debt was being parked on my consumer report from 2017. Since then contact has been made with the company by certified mail asking for valid contract from this company and I *************************** agreeing to the stated amount. They have failed to comply or show validity. 

  Reporting of Medical Debt:  As of 2023 The three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Transunion, and Experian) have been ordered to institute a new policy to no longer include medical debt under a dollar threshold (the threshold will be at least $500) on credit reports. Such medical debts under that threshold will never be reported even if unpaid and even if in collection.

  The company is reporting this debt in my consumer report as medical. 
  without validation or evidence of agreement to this debt of any kind. This is a violation of FCRA, fraudulent and illegal means of volition. This needs to be removed immediately. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  02/14/2023

  American Credit Bureau, *** does not park debt and we keep detailed record of activity on our files. On 6/2/2017 American Credit Bureau, *** mailed this consumer a Validation Notice as prescribed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This letter was mailed to the consumer's currently listed mailing address and the letter was not returned to us, so it is assumed that the letter was delivered. Further, on 7/7/2017 and again on 7/27/2017 American Credit Bureau mailed the consumer further notifications of this debt which were also not returned to us. These notices were all mailed prior to listing the alleged debt on the consumer's credit report. We have since received notice of dispute of this debt from the consumer and have been reporting this debt disputed.
  The consumer can request information from the Credit Bureaus on their practices regarding medical debt reporting and the timing of any changes they are making.

  Customer response

  02/14/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and will be contacting the **** and the credit bureaus in regards to this account.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  07/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  American Credit Bureau Inc. has illegally placed a collection on my consumer reports, violating my consumer rights. In accordance with The Fair Debt Reporting Act they have violated my rights 15 U.S.C **** Section 602 A. States I have the right to privacy. 15 U.S.C **** Section 604 A Section 2. It also states that a consumer reporting agency cannot furnish a account without my written instructions....I have not given any such permission or instructions. 15 U.S.C **** Section 602 A. States I have the right to privacy.

  Business response

  07/18/2022

  On 9/20/2016 American Credit Bureau, *** mailed the consumer notification of the alleged debt and also gave the consumer the option to dispute the alleged debt or any portion thereof within 30 days of receipt of the 9/20/2016 letter. No dispute was received from the consumer within that timeframe, therefore American Credit Bureau, *** continued with the collection efforts of the alleged debt including reporting the item to the consumers credit report. We see that no such violation has occurred as the consumer is claiming.

  Customer response

  07/18/2022

   
  Complaint: 17573169
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I received no notice nor any opt-out disclosures to inform me of an alleged MEDICAL collection. If this company is legally authorized to collect such alleged debt, please provide the contract with my signature to prove that I owe you or that you are authorized to collect on this alleged debt.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  07/21/2022

  American Credit Bureau, *** is a licensed third party debt collection company. As such, consumers do not contract with us as they do not receive services directly from us (third party), rather they received services from our clients (first party) who then contract with us to collect the alleged delinquency on their behalf. We have been contracted to collect debt on behalf of this client since 8/26/2008 - we will not be releasing that contract as it is a proprietary work product and we are unaware of any requirement to release confidential proprietary information. On 9/20/2016 American Credit Bureau, *** mailed the consumer notification of the alleged debt and also gave the consumer the option to dispute the alleged debt or any portion thereof within 30 days. This 9/20/2016 letter was not returned to us undeliverable (nor were the letters that we mailed to the consumer's same address on 10/25/2016, 11/15/2016 or 12/6/2016) therefore we assumed the consumer received our notice and proceeded with our collection efforts.

  Customer response

  07/27/2022

   
  Complaint: 17573169
  
  I am rejecting this response because by your own admittance you have confirmed that 1)American Credit Bureau Inc. is a 3rd party collection agency who is ILLEGALLY trying to collect on an alleged debt when you are not the holder in due course of the Contract. 2)American Credit Bureau Inc. has attempted to ILLEGALLY contact me about an alleged debt without my prior consent. 3) American Credit Bureau Inc. is ILLEGALLY reporting negative information to my consumer reports without authorization or instructions from me, the consumer, causing hardship, stress, and a decrease in my credit score resulting in housing challenges.I demand that this account is REMOVED, BLOCKED, AND DELETED from my consumer reports.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Business response

  07/28/2022

  We do not agree with the consumer's statements.

• Initial Complaint

  10/23/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Fraudulent entry on my credit report to intentionally damage my credit worthiness is rude and unprofessional. The same company has been reported by me in the past as being misleading and unethical.

  Business response

  12/08/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/10/26) */ We received the consumer's dispute of the alleged debt and have contacted the Original Creditor who has validated the debt. We will mail the validation to the consumer's address listed on this BBB Complaint. We are also reporting this item as disputed.

• Initial Complaint

  06/12/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Hello Mr/Mis BBB agent. The business I'm having an issue with is the American Credit Bureau that first sent me a bill and letter stating that I owe the Southern California Bone and Joint clinic $22.51 and I could dispute this within 30 days which I did the day I received the first bill and to inform them I believe the Southern California Bone and Joint Clinic, Inc is trying to falsely try and send a bill for an office visit that Medi-Cal says I was Not Eligible for on 02/18/XXXX X full year after my outpatient procedure on 03/08/2016 and the first 2 appointments was billed to Medicare and Processed and I was not at the office in 2017. I tried to call that collection agency, the voice said to have my information ready for the next available agent but always got disconnected. I have said bill on hand if you wanted to see it. The Collection agency is now demanding the money or will contact Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. Thank you for anything you can do.

  Business response

  07/06/2021

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/06/15) */ Prior to receiving this BBB complaint we did not receive any dispute from the consumer. Using this BBB complaint, we will contact our client and request validation of the alleged debt. We will give our client 1 month to provide written proof of this alleged debt which we will forward to the consumer upon receipt. If our client is not able to validate this debt within 1 month, we will close the account and not continue collection efforts. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2021/06/21) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) I appreciate the quick response from the American Credit Bureau and willingness to follow up with the Southern California Bone and Joint clinic. I would also like to bring out a point. I did submit a picture of the Bill from said Clinic I can get a scanned copy on my flash drive to submit. On that Bill the first 2 entries on the Bill are filed with Medicare B-CA and was processed 03/08/2016 and the next entry on the Bill is filed on 02/18/2017 to Medic-Cal CA and was marked as "Not Elig" showing on the Bill. In the time from the 2nd letter and filing on BBB I contacted the County of San Bernardino regarding the status of Medicare during the time I lived in the county. The Worker **** ****** of the County of San Bernardino Worker ID: 36LSAL0C0C Worker Phone Number: (XXX) XXX-XXXX on Date 06/02/2021 at 15:42 Hours (3:42 PM) informed me that I had coverage 1/2016 through 1/2018, I will submit this as well . If the Southern California Bone and Joint Clinic miss filed to Medi-Cal and only caught it later and that's why it had such a late entry but is actually a valid Bill. I had them send me a Passport To Services that I will forward to you American Credit Bureau so this can be paid to you. Consumer Response /* (3000, 12, 2021/06/22) */ ***Document Attached*** Hello Mr/Miss BBB Agent. I am requesting this complaint be reopened due to the fact American Credit Bureau did not secure proof of the bill being owed. However I did receive this letter that states that the Southern California Bone and Joint Clinics Office has determined a valid debt exists is not showing proof just someone's opinion. As this was not replied through the BBB but as a personal letter, tells me no proof has been collected. The letter from the American Credit Bureau as showing in attached photo of said document (can get a full digital copy at your request) The letter states that Mr ***** Martinez stated that I was claiming the date being 02/18/2017 and the date of service was actually as he claims is 02/16/2016 is wrong as I have said bill in hand. Also in attached photo of my phone history with Mr Martinez. (If requested I will acquire a copy of my phone history and submit it electronically) I had first called the Southern California Bone and Joint Clinic at 1 750-656-5200 (Also attached photo) in hopes of resolving the issue and was directed by an automated system to call the billing department at (XXX) XXX-XXXX As you can see the call was short at 1 min, 36 sec to leave a message. However the 2nd call of the same date in question was first 4 mins, 33 sec and was me receiving the call from Mr Martinez who stated he was with my Doctors office and was calling in regards to a bill that Medi-Cal strangely denied my office visit (I stated that is weird) and that I owed them the $22.51 and they tried to contact me 5 times with no response, I informed him I had moved at the end of 2018 and had 2 years to contact me as I still lived down there at the time. We chatted a couple of minutes about my right knee making some grinding noise and thats why I was at the California Bone and Joint Clinic, also stated that i've been on disability since 2015 because of having Crohn's Disease and Medicare and Medi-Cal before even moving down south so the office visit should have been covered, he said well it wasn't, that's when I said I never sign anything stating I would pay for anything extra that only what is covered because I don't have the money for extra, he said its not extra then he said to make the payment over the phone right then or mail a check to their office at 7365 Cornelian Street, Suite 207 Rancho Cucamonga, that is when I said I don't know who you people are and you have no office that I can walk into and I wont pay online because I don't know who you people are and won't be giving someone I don't know my debit or check information, he then retorted you don't know who your own Doctor is? I responded my Doctor was in Apple Vally and you told me you was with that office so nice try (or something to that effect) at which he said do you think your doctor would even bother calling you ? Thats what I'm for and thats when I hung up on him, one because of his budding attitude and I was in no mood for an argument with a potential scammer and 2 because he first stated he was with my doctors office, and during a pandemic I'm getting a call about paying him money sounded to me like a scam as we have so many no a-days and that's exactly what I was thinking the whole time, at which I started receiving automated calls from Mr Martinez' number to which I started rejecting. I did attempt to call them back after I received the letter from the American Credit Bureau and that's why I first started the valid complaint. I stress the fact that the response that Mr Martinez gave was grossly inaccurate and attempted to paint me in a negative light, claims that the dates that I mention was wrong when in fact he is in error. On that note I request that the audio recording of our conversation be submitted as if I recall he said it was being recorded. This is to the best of my knowledge and Recollection of the conversation with as much detail as I can recall. The recording should clear up anything I've missed. After receiving this letter today 06/22/2021 I contacted Medicare about said date of service claimed by Mr Martinez. The Medicare Agent I spoke with informed me that she could not find anything on 02/18/2017 nor 02/16/2016 that Mr Martinez claims. However the Agent I spoke to at Medicare at (XXX) XXX-XXXX at 12:08 pm conversation lasting 33 mins , 3 sec said that since the date of service was so long ago it was probably kicked out of the system and informed me she submitted a request to check the dares in question with another department and would take up to 45 days, at which I will receive a letter letting me know if a bill was properly submitted or nonexistent. I asked the Medicare Agent if I would owe 20% as Mr Martinez claims and her response was no. I told her the reason for inquiring of the dates is because if this bill is in fact not valid I shouldn't have to pay and neither should Medicare, she added if the inquiry if the bill was not properly submitted it would be the Contractor to pay. I request a 45 day extension so Medicare can check on the validity of his statement. If Medicare does not find anything that American Credit Bureau honors the first agreement that this bill not attempt to collect nor report to the 3 Credit Bureaus . However if Medicare says this is a valid bill I will then pay what is lawfully mine to pay. Thank you for your time Mr/Miss BBB Agent. Business Response /* (4000, 14, 2021/06/23) */ Upon receipt of the consumer's BBB complaint we contacted the Original Credit Grantor (our client) and advised them of his complaint. We requested and received from the Original Credit Grantor details regarding the alleged debt and forwarded the Original Credit Grantor's explanation to the consumer. The consumer has acknowledged receipt of the Original Credit Grantor's explanation and is now working with his insurance company to potentially resolve this matter. At this point, we believe that we have complied with our requirements under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the consumer is now waiting on his insurance to respond. If the consumer wants an extension to resolve this claim, he will need to contact the Original Credit Grantor as they own the alleged debt and are in charge of the collection process.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩