ComplaintsforCollection Bureau Of Ft. Walton Beach FL, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  03/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Equifax deleted an inaccurate account linked to the Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach. After I posted a negative Google review detailing my personal encounter with the company, they conducted a hard inquiry on my Equifax report.

  

  Business response

  04/07/2024

  We continue to operate in within the all applicable laws and best practices that govern our practice.  

  Customer response

  04/08/2024

   
  Complaint: 21500169
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  A collection company doesn’t have the authorization to conduct a hard pull on anyone’s credit. Sections 604 through 621 of the FCRA cover the responsibilities and limitations of entities reporting consumer credit information. United States Code, Title 15, ******* *** ********** ************ **** ******* ***** of Title 15, Chapter 41* ********** **** provide regulations governing credit reporting agencies and their practices.
  Sincerely,
  Tisha *********

  

  Business response

  04/08/2024

  * **** *********** ******** ** ******** ******* *** ****** * ******

  -AND-

  From the CFPB website:

  Know your data-
  Consumer reporting companies collect information and provide reports to other companies about you. These companies use these reports to inform decisions about providing you with credit, employment, residential rental housing, insurance, and in other decision-making situations.
  

  Who can see your consumer reports-
  Consumer reporting companies must follow legal restrictions, but generally can provide consumer reports and risk scores to an array of businesses, including:
  Lenders (including those that offer credit cards, home, payday, personal, title, auto including auto leasing, student loans, security deposit financing and lease guarantees on home rentals, and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) products)
  Employers and volunteer organizations (pre-employment screening and on-going employee monitoring)
  Government agencies to determine eligibility for government assistance
  Landlords and residential real estate management companies for short- and long-term residential property rentals (tenant screening)
  Banks, credit unions, payment processors and retail stores that accept personal checks (check screening)
  Companies that market and sell certain products and services specifically to lower-income consumers and subprime credit applicants, such as companies providing short-term lending and rent-to-own lending businesses among others
  Debt buyers and debt collectors
  Insurance companies (health, life, property insurance screening)
  Telecommunication and utility companies (e.g., mobile phone, pay TV, electric, gas, water)
  Retail stores for product return fraud and abuse screening as well as retail stores that offer financing such as appliance and rent-to-own businesses, among others
  

   

  Customer response

  04/08/2024

   
  Complaint: 21500169
  I am rejecting this response because: The Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach, with whom I have no contractual agreement, and from whom I did not request any type of loan, payday loan, or other transaction necessitating a hard credit inquiry. Your capability is limited to conducting a soft check, not a hard inquiry. You operate as a third-party debt collection agency. Stay within your role! Henceforth, my legal representative will handle all communication with this company. They will come to understand, through legal means, that they are bound by the law. The numerous violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that I possess as evidence will result in significant consequences for this company. Evidence and legislation are immutable, and I possess ample amounts of both. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  03/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I keep receiving text messages that i have a debt owed to Collection Bureau Of Ft. Walton Beach FL, Inc.. I am not liable for this debt with the City of Crestview as I do not have a contract with the Collection Bureau Of Ft. Walton Beach FL, Inc.

  

  Business response

  03/25/2024

  Mr. ******,

  We have marked your account with the City of Crestview water department as disputed. If you have any further questions you may contact our office M-F 8 AM-5 PM CST at 866-292-9978.

• Initial Complaint

  03/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have consistently lodged multiple disputes regarding this specific account with both Experian, Equifax and TransUnion over the past four months. Despite these efforts, each purported "investigation" has resulted in the maintenance of the reported information's accuracy. Enclosed with this formal complaint are supporting documents for verification. It is undoubtedly unreasonable for me, as a consumer, to expend my time rectifying errors made by one company through the intervention of another. On February 5th, 2024, I filed a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). In response, TransUnion, Experian and Equifax all stated, "We're still investigating this." This situation has consumed a significant amount of my time. If anyone were to spend just 15 minutes reviewing the information I've provided, they would also recognize the problem. Furthermore, the Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach has failed to conduct an investigation. They have placed a $4,051 balance on my account and an identical balance on my wife's Tisha *********'s (she has filed a complaint today with your office regarding this same matter), account, contradicting the information in the documents provided. This highlights the unethical practices of these companies. If not fixed a lawsuit will be filed against Collection of Fort Walton Beach

  

  Business response

  03/08/2024

  Mr. *********,
  We have contacted ********* ** **** to verify the balance on your and your wife's account. We have updated the balance to $3,815.50, which includes a collection fee of $880.50. Our reports to the credit bureaus will go out on Monday, and we will update the balance on the credit file. It can take the bureaus up to 30 days to update your credit file. We spoke with the property manager, and they are willing to settle the balance for a one-time payment of $1,995.00. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our office at 866-292-9978 M-F 8 am- 5 pm CST.

  Customer response

  03/12/2024

  Dear BBB,
  I respectfully disagree with the response provided. Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach acknowledges the inaccuracies in this balance, including unlawful charges, despite my repeated disputes of this erroneous account.
  
  I am writing to highlight discrepancies in the charges reported by Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach on both my wife's and my credit reports. Upon thorough review, we have identified several inconsistencies:
  
  - The reported amount on our credit reports is $4,050, whereas the invoice indicates $2,935.
  - The invoice lists charges for three replaced doors, whereas evidence suggests only two were replaced.
  - Charges were applied for labor and paint for both the exterior and entire interior of the apartment.
  - Unlawful charges were imposed for Eviction Filings (5X).

  Ive added evidence to support my claim! 

  Additionally, during a conversation with my wife, Tisha, a representative from Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach acknowledged their responsibility in providing information to credit bureaus on behalf of the engaging company. However, it is imperative to note that their duty extends solely to furnishing accurate information. Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach's actions constitute a breach of 15 U.S. Code § 1681s-2, which specifically governs furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies. It is crucial that Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach promptly rectifies these discrepancies and complies with legal standards in their debt collection practices.
  
  Sincerely,
  Nicholas *********

  

  Business response

  03/19/2024

  Mr. *********,
  We spoke with The ******** ** **** regarding your outstanding balance. The correct balance owed is $2,935.00; this amount has been updated within our office and reported to all three credit bureaus. 
  
  In a discussion regarding the balance owed, three doors were noted to be replaced due to damage, but only two were replaced, and the third was able to be fixed due to bonding the door. 
  
  In an effort to resolve this matter, The ******** ** **** has agreed to settle your account with a one-time payment of $1,995.00.
  
  Attached you will find the following documents:
  1. Payment History from 4/12/2022-6/16/2023. These reports are in two different formats 4/12/2022-10/31/2022 was tracked within our old system, and payments made between 10/31/2022-6/16/2023 were tracked within our new system. 
  2. Invoices for the cleaning company, ** ***** Construction, and The ********* ** **** LLC.
  3. A copy of the closing statement and move-out photos.
  4. Section 7 of the signed Lease Agreement regarding the Late Fee charge of $100.
  5. Proof of Notice of Unpaid Rent, the three-day notice posted on your door on May 4, 2023. The lease was not fulfilled as agreed upon since a forwarding address, keys, and May's rent were not provided to the property. If you have further questions, please call our office at 866-292-9978 M-F 8 AM-5 PM CST
  
  Thank You,

  Customer response

  03/19/2024

  
  Complaint: 21389273
  I am rejecting this response because:
  You previously stated, "We spoke with The ******** ** **** regarding your outstanding balance. The correct balance owed is $2,935.00; this amount has been updated within our office and reported to all three credit bureaus." 
  "The balance has been updated within your office. You have had access to the same documents we possess. I am uncertain about what you mean by 'updated within your office'."
  It required numerous disputes and complaints from my wife for Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach to finally review two documents, both clearly stating "Amount Due Landlord Exceeding Deposit." Despite this, you altered the amount not once, not twice, but THREE times. What caliber of individuals does your company employ? Scratch that, it's abundantly clear.
  Moving on….
  In a discussion regarding the balance “owed”. 
  
  Per the Invoice states the following:
  ?Paint 2 walls in living room (The only damage was a small hole in the living room)
  ?Paint the master bedroom all walls (No damage was done to the walls, but your client is UNLAWFULLY is attempting to charge us. 
  ?Touch up paint all the apartment (UNLAWFUL CHARGE) 
  ?Exterior column paint at entry (UNLAWFUL CHARGE)
  Per Chapter 83, Part Il of the Florida Statutes, landlords must maintain the property, covering exterior maintenance such as painting. As per state law, landlords are responsible for expenses related to such upkeep, not tenants. Thus, charging tenants for painting the building's exterior constitutes an unlawful act under Florida law.
  
  Eviction Fees on the tenant are unlawful. There's no way for Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach or your client to justify these unlawfulcharges.
  
  Any comment? 
  
  CBFWB, please provide clarification regarding the fee your company attempted to charge us for your service. Fortunately, my wife uncovered your company's deceitful practices. It's crucial to highlight that this alone reflects the immoral, poor management, and unethical business practices of Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach.
  
  Additionally, concerning the violation of the FDCPA: The second balance change resulted in a charge totaling $880.50 for your company to collect an inaccurate amount on an inaccurate account. According to Section 808 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors are prohibited from collecting any amount that is not expressly authorized by the underlying agreement or permitted by law. It's pertinent to note that this provision is not mentioned anywhere in the signed lease agreement between us and The Crossings.
  
  REVIEW the lease..
  
  Any comment? 
  
  7)Three Day Notice.
  According to Section 83.56 A. of Florida law regarding the termination of rental agreements, The Crossings' issuance of a three-day notice instead of the required seven-day notice was unlawful. This constitutes another instance of unlawful action by The Crossings.”
  
  The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of both consumers and credit reporting agencies. Reporting unlawful charges refers to providing inaccurate or false information about a consumer's credit history, which is prohibited by the FCRA's provisions. This includes reporting charges that are not authorized by the consumer or that are otherwise unlawful. Violating these provisions can result in penalties for the party responsible for the inaccurate reporting.
  
  Indeed, please furnish clarification on the illicit charges. I look forward to hearing from your company. 
  Sincerely,
  
  Nicholas *********

  

  Business response

  03/22/2024

  We have fulfilled our obligations to the consumer and client as governed by the FDCPA, FCRA, and related laws. We have provided an in-depth review of your account and provided the requested documentation. I

  Customer response

  03/22/2024

  
  Complaint: 21389273
  I am rejecting this response because "Regarding your assertion that you have fulfilled obligations as governed by the FDCPA, FCRA, and related laws, I must respectfully disagree. Evidence unequivocally demonstrates otherwise. Concrete proof, provided to your company, the BBB, and others, underscores the failure to uphold consumer rights and comply with legal mandates. Despite repeated requests and clear discrepancies pointed out by myself and my knowledgeable wife, Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach neglected its obligations.
  Numerous infractions stand out:
  - Failure to inform my wife and me of our right to dispute the debt, a direct violation of Section 809 of the FDCPA.
  - Numerous violations of Florida Statutes Chapter 83 regarding apartment maintenance and lease notice requirements.
  - Reporting unlawful charges, violating provisions of both the FDCPA and FCRA.
  - Inaccurate balance reporting, violating the FCRA's provisions on data accuracy.
  - Unauthorized collection fees imposed without legal basis or agreement, contravening Section 808 of the FDCPA.
  
  Moreover, your company's response, claiming to have conducted an in-depth review and provided requested documentation, falls short. Initially directing my wife to obtain invoices from The Crossings further highlights a lack of accountability. This tactic may work with less-informed individuals, but it does not absolve Collection Bureau of Fort Walton Beach of its obligations. (Evidence provided to this claim). 
  
  Your obligations extend beyond mere collection; they encompass compliance with laws and regulations designed to protect consumer rights. The silence from The Crossings, your contracted partner, speaks volumes.
  Your client's refusal to engage in any form of communication, whether with the BBB, myself, my wife, or the CFPB, indicates a reluctance to directly address debt collection matters. This reluctance implies an awareness of potential inaccuracies and unethical practices.
  In conclusion, as a very successful individual, Warren Buffett's stated "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” It's clear that the Collection Bureau of Fort Walton has overlooked the laws it's obligated to uphold, seemingly prioritizing financial gain over ethical conduct. However, I must emphasize that ignoring legal obligations and ethical standards is unsustainable. Your reputation is at stake, and evidence doesn't lie. It's imperative to heed the laws governing Fort Walton Beach Collection Bureau, as failure to do so will inevitably lead to further decline.

• Initial Complaint

  03/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I MADE A PAYMENT OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING BALANCE FOR OKALOOSA GAS, $102.18 ON FEBRUARY 09TH 2024. I CONTACTED Credit Business Services of Ft. Walton Beach, Inc. AND THEY COMMITTED TO UPDATE MY CREDIT REPORT FOR THIS COLLECTION ON THE 26TH OF THIS. FEBRUARY REPORT HAS BEEN FILED AND THEY DID NOT UPDATE MY COLLECTION AS DEBT AMOUNT PAID-OFF. I HAVENT HAD A JOB FOR 2 YEARS DUE TO HAVING A BABY AND STAYING HOME WITH ONE INCOME ONLY , NOW THAT I'M BACK TO WORK I'M TRYING YO FIX MY CREDIT SCORE AND THIS IS JUST VERY UNFAIR THAT COLLECTION AGENCIES ARE QUICK TO REPORT NEGATIVES BUT UNFAIR AND VERY SHADY ABOUT REPORTING POSITIVE ACTIONS FROM DEBTORS. ATTACHED IS PROOF OF EMAILS BETWEEN COLLECTION AGENCY AND MYSELF AND PROOF OF PAYMENT I MADE . THANKS

  

  Business response

  03/05/2024

  Mrs. *******,

  It looks like you paid Okaloosa Gas directly on February 9, 2024. Okaloosa Gas reports all their payments on the last day of the month. We were notified on February 20, 2024, when you emailed to let us know you had paid. We emailed Okaloosa Gas right away to confirm payment, and once we got confirmation that you had paid them directly, we updated your account to a 0 balance. We reported to the credit bureaus on February 26, 2024, that you were paid in full. The screenshot you attached of your Experian Credit Report shows that the balance was updated on February 9 before we were notified of your payment. I have attached the same screenshot that you attached and highlighted the balance updated part for you to review. Once we send our reports to the credit bureaus, we have no control over how fast the credit bureaus update your credit report, which is usually around 30 days. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact our office at 1-866-292-9978 M-F 8 AM-5 PM CST.

  Customer response

  03/09/2024

  
  Complaint: 21374183
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  On my credit report said if account paid in full my credit could go up to 23 points. I was never advise of the time frames for credit update. I do not see a difference in my credit report after paying this amount in full. I never agree to outsource my debt to another company or a collection agency neither signed a contract  with this collection agency  to make reports on my credit. My responsibility was directly and exclusively with Okaloosa Gas. I reject any credit report made by this collection agency specially in the past. I paid in full at the very beginning of Feb and Feb 26 I believe it was still reported as not able to contact me when I originally contacted the collection company making them aware of my payment.  I was advice it was going to be updated such day but they never told me it takes up to 30 days to update on my credit. The whole issue with credit reports agencies they always do more damage on a credit report for an individual and when finally the financial responsibility is satisfied there's always something that witholds your credit from going up. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  Denisse ******* ** ****

  

  Business response

  03/15/2024

  Mrs.******* ** ****,

  Your bill was due to Okaloosa Gas District on June 06, 2020. You did not pay your balance due until February 09, 2024. We have no control over the Credit Bureaus on how long they take to update your Credit Report once they get the reports we send to them every Monday. If you have any further questions or concerns, please call our office at 866-292-9978 M-F 8 AM-5 PM

  Customer response

  03/18/2024

  
  Complaint: 21374183
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  This is the first time I come across a company that takes so long to reflect a positive payment on an account it usually reflects in the time frame I have come current in most of my accounts and it does reflect decreased balance and they have a positive impact on my credit. 

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Denisse ******* ** ****

• Initial Complaint

  02/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not aware of this account. I have reached out to 3 credit bureaus and COLLECTION BUREAU FT. WALTON BEACH FL, INC to have this account removed from my file and they always say the same excuse, which is no longer acceptable. I have filed an FTC complaint because I believed this is an outcome of identity Theft. Regardless of all actions done on my end, there was no action from 3 Bureaus. Thus, I am reaching out to seek assistance to have COLLECTION BUREAU FT. WALTON BEACH FL, INC that I have no account with them and 3 credit bureaus can simply remove it from my credit.

  

  Business response

  02/22/2024

  Antionice ***********

   Thank you for reaching out to us regarding your account that has been placed with us by the Panama City Water Department. We have reviewed your account. Unfortunately, our IT systems and phone records do not show any attempts by you regarding the account with the Panama City Water Department. We did reach out to the Panama City Water Department on your behalf to get a copy of the statement of charges I have attached for you to review. ." Also, we can't meet your demand to remove it from your credit file. Payment in full is due. However, your account has been marked as disputed. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our office M- F, 8 am- 5 pm CST, at 866-292-9978.

• Initial Complaint

  02/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with 10 Okaloosa Gas District. I do not have a contract with Collection Bureau of Ft Walton Beach Fl, Inc. They did not provide me with the original contract as requested.

  

  Business response

  02/08/2024

  Mr. ******,

  I have reviewed your account in our office and I do not see where you have requested any information on your account with Okaloosa Gas District. We have gone ahead and placed the information in the mail for you. If you have any questions please contact our office M-F 8 am- 5 pm CST at 866-292-9978.

• Initial Complaint

  01/10/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with Glades county ems. I do not have a contract with the Collection Bureau Of Ft. Walton Beach FL, Inc.

  

  Business response

  01/15/2024

  Mr. *******,

  Your account with Glades County EMS was placed in our office in error. We have canceled the account in our office. Please see the attached letter. If you have any questions please contact our office M-F 8 am- 5 pm CST at 866-292-9978.

   

   

  Customer response

  01/20/2024

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 21114103, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Frank ******* III

• Initial Complaint

  12/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I do not have a contract with the the Collection Bureau of Ft. Walton Beach Fl. They did not provide me with the original contract as requested.

  

  Business response

  12/18/2023

  Mr. *****

  I don't see that we have received any written or telephone correspondence from you asking for any information from our office. The only correspondence I show from you is where you disputed the account with Experian, claiming you were a victim of a natural disaster. I am placing a copy of your original bill in the mail to the address that you provided. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office M- F, 8 am-5 pm CST at 866-292-9978.

• Initial Complaint

  11/09/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I’m not liable for this debt with collection bureau of f, I do not have a contract with collection bureau of f, they did not provide me with the original contract as I requested

  

  Business response

  11/09/2023

  Ms. ********

  You just called our office today, 11/09/2023, and spoke to one of our agents requesting validation of the debt. You were told that we would reach out to Henderson Enterprises Trust LLC to get you a copy of your signed lease agreement and that we would mail you the lease agreement and the breakdown of charges to the address that you provided to us. We have 30 days to provide that information to you. If you have any further questions, please call our office at 866-292-9978 Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm CST.

• Initial Complaint

  08/15/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I'm not liable for this debt with ***** ***** **** ***. I do not have a contract with the the Collection Bureau of Ft. Walton Beach Fl. They did not provide me with the original contract as requested.

  

  Business response

  08/15/2023

  ****** *****

  Thank you for reaching out about your concern. We are contracted with ***** ***** Apartments to collect the outstanding balance on this account. This account was placed in our office to be collected by ***** ***** Apartments. We received your validation requests on April 27, 2023. Per your request, we mailed you a statement to the address provided, of charges that were provided by ***** ***** Apartments. I am attaching the statement to this response as well for your review. At this time, the balance is still owed. If you have any questions or want to discuss this further, you can contact our office Monday- Friday, 8 am-5 pm CST, by email at ***************** or by phone at 866-292-9978.

*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. ↩