Anonymous
Attempts to collect debt not owed: Debt collection
* * What Happened * * I am submitting this complaint because * * Diversified Adjustment Service, Inc. * * continues to report a collection account on my consumer credit reports that I believe is inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, and has not been properly verified as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). I exercised my rights under the FCRA by disputing this account with the consumer reporting agencies and requesting that a reasonable reinvestigation be conducted. Despite my dispute, Diversified Adjustment Service continues to report the account without providing competent documentary evidence establishing that the information is accurate or that it has the legal authority to collect and report the alleged debt. Instead of providing the documentation I requested, I have received only generalized responses indicating that the account was " verified '' or that it will continue to be reported. These responses do not explain what records were reviewed, what evidence was relied upon, or how Diversified Adjustment Service concluded that every aspect of the reporting was accurate. A statement that an account has been verified, without providing supporting documentation, does not satisfy the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Diversified Adjustment Service collection account continues to appear as a derogatory collection account on my consumer credit reports and has caused substantial harm to my financial standing. Collection accounts have a significant negative impact on a consumer 's credit profile because they are considered serious derogatory information by lenders, landlords, insurers, and employers. The continued reporting of this account affects my ability to obtain credit, qualify for favorable interest rates, secure housing, and pursue other financial opportunities. Because of these serious consequences, I requested that Diversified Adjustment Service conduct a complete investigation supported by original business records rather than relying solely upon automated verification systems or electronic responses. Under * * 15 U.S.C. 1681i * *, once a consumer disputes the accuracy of information appearing on a credit report, the consumer reporting agency must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation to determine whether the disputed information is accurate. Likewise, * * 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) * * requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain reasonable procedures to assure the maximum possible accuracy of the information they report. These statutory obligations require more than forwarding a dispute electronically and accepting a computerized response from the furnisher. A reasonable investigation requires review of competent documentary evidence establishing that the disputed information is accurate, complete, and legally reportable. Because Diversified Adjustment Service is a third-party debt collector, I requested documentation establishing that it has the legal authority to collect and report the alleged debt. Specifically, I requested copies of any assignment agreements, transfer documents, servicing agreements, collection placement records, or any other documentation demonstrating that the alleged obligation was lawfully assigned or transferred to Diversified Adjustment Service. I also requested documentation identifying the original creditor, records establishing the complete chain of assignment, and documentation demonstrating that Diversified Adjustment Service has the legal authority to furnish information regarding this alleged account to the nationwide consumer reporting agencies. To date, I have not received competent documentary evidence establishing its legal authority to collect or report the alleged debt. In addition, I requested copies of the original agreement or contract that created the alleged obligation, documents bearing my signature, complete account statements, payment history, account ledger, documentation supporting the balance being reported, records establishing the date of first delinquency, documentation supporting any interest, collection fees, penalties, or additional charges added to the account, and every record relied upon during Diversified Adjustment Service 's investigation. If Diversified Adjustment Service contends that the account is accurate, then it should have no difficulty producing the original business records supporting every aspect of its reporting. Without these records, I have no reasonable basis to conclude that the information appearing on my consumer credit reports is accurate or legally reportable. I specifically requested disclosure of the method of verification used during the investigation. I requested the identity of the individual or department that conducted the investigation, the documents reviewed, the source of the information relied upon, and the procedures used to determine that the account was accurately reported. Instead of providing this information, Diversified Adjustment Service merely concluded that the