Business Profile
Collections Agencies
Southern Management Systems, Inc.This business is NOT BBB Accredited.
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Complaints
Customer Complaints Summary
- 196 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 68 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.
Initial Complaint
Date:04/09/2025
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I was a co-signer on this apartment where my son and his roommate lived. the charges for damages after are not our responsibility. I paid what we damaged, and the other stuff was like that when he moved in. Also there was stuff moved in and left in his apartment after he had moved out that the place was using for storage apparently. I want this taken off mine and my sons credit, listed as collection! ***** Gran is my sons name and he was also on the leaseBusiness Response
Date: 04/18/2025
Please see attached responseCustomer Answer
Date: 04/22/2025
My credit report still reflects this as a collections and says it was updated or refreshed or something on 4-7-25 and this is why i resent another complaint on this matter. I want this mess resolved and want it off of mine and my sons credit report as a falsely accused collectionCustomer Answer
Date: 04/22/2025
Complaint: 23182034
I am rejecting this response because:Date Sent: 4/22/2025 10:51:59 AM
My credit report still reflects this as a collections and says it was updated or refreshed or something on 4-7-25 and this is why i resent another complaint on this matter. I want this mess resolved and want it off of mine and my sons credit report as a falsely accused collection
Sincerely,
******* *******Business Response
Date: 04/28/2025
Please see attached responseInitial Complaint
Date:04/08/2025
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am not obligated for the debt claimed by ***** ****. There is no contractual agreement between me and ***** ****, and they have not furnished the original agreement as requested.Business Response
Date: 04/15/2025
Please see attached responseInitial Complaint
Date:04/05/2025
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am not liable for this debt with 99 ********** APTS/ASSET **** i do not have a contract with southern management system **** they did not provide me with the original contract as I requested.Business Response
Date: 04/15/2025
Please see attached responseInitial Complaint
Date:04/02/2025
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Subject: Formal Complaint Against Southern Management Systems ************ Violations To Whom It May Concern,I am filing a complaint against Southern Management Systems for unlawful credit reporting of a $335 collection account on my credit reports. The company denied ownership of this debt in response to my ************************************ (****) complaint, yet it remains on my file. This is a direct violation of federal law, including:FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2: Reporting a debt they do not own is illegal.FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692e: False or misleading debt reporting is unlawful.I am providing evidence from my CFPB complaint, where Southern Management Systems admitted this debt is not theirs. They must immediately remove this account from my credit reports and cease all collection activity.Demand for Immediate Action:Delete this account from Equifax, **********, and Experian.Cease all collection efforts related to this disputed debt.Provide written confirmation of account deletion within 15 days.Failure to comply will result in complaints to the ***, Florida Attorney General, and legal action for **** and FDCPA violations.I expect a written response within 15 days, per federal law. Please confirm receipt and provide an update on corrective actions.Sincerely,******* Ariza *****Business Response
Date: 04/16/2025
Please see attached responseInitial Complaint
Date:03/27/2025
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am not liable for this debit with (STHRN MGMT acct# *****************, i do not have a contract with (***** MGMT acct# ***************** they did no provide me with the original contract as i requested. This company is violating my consumer righ TO PRIVACY PURSUANT 15 USC 1681B (2) and 15 U.S Code 1681i(a) FCRA and , Fair Debt Collection Practices Act(FDCPA) 15 USC 1692g sec.809(8), {15 U.S.C. 1692k(d) [(******** v. *****, 589 U.S. _, 140 S. Ct. 355 (2019)Absent the application of an equitable doctrine, such as fraudulent concealment, the ****** one-year statute of limitations begins to run on the date the alleged violation occurs, not when it is discovered.]} Other Legal Precedent or Case Law (****** *. *******, ************** (Ind. **. App. 2001), (****** v. ********** of *******, 626 F. Supp. 2d 1068 (S.D. **** 2009)) and (Camacho v. *************************, 430 F.3d 1078 (9th Cir. 2005)Business Response
Date: 04/18/2025
Please see attached responseInitial Complaint
Date:03/24/2025
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Summary of Issue:I contacted Southern Management SY (also known as Southern Management Systems), a debt collector located in *****************, regarding a collection account on my credit report for $1,042, with an alleged debt date from September 2019.On March 19, 2025, I requested the name and contact information of the original creditor, which is my right under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The representative refused to provide this information, claiming they were not authorized to disclose it.This refusal has prevented me from verifying or resolving the debt directly, and I believe it violates my rights under the ****** debt validation and disclosure requirements. Additionally, the debt is from September 2019, and appears to be past the statute of limitations in *******, yet collection efforts continue without proper validation.Furthermore, Southern Management SY operates the website ******************** and has a C rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with 203 consumer complaints filed. This indicates a pattern of consumer issues regarding their collection practices.Desired Resolution:I request that Southern Management SY be required to disclose the original creditors name and contact information. Due to their non-compliance with ***** regulations, I also request that this collection account be removed from all credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).Details:Collection Amount: $1,042 Debt Date: September 2019 Collector: Southern Management SY / Southern Management Systems******************* Website: ******************** BBB Rating: C, with 203 complaints Date of Refusal: March 19, 2025Customer Answer
Date: 03/25/2025
On March 19, 2025, at approximately 4:28 PM, I spoke with a manager named ******** ***** at Southern Management SY regarding a $1,042 collection account dated September 2019. During the call, Ms. ***** repeatedly pressured me to agree to a 75% settlement without providing a written settlement letter in advance. I made it clear that I would only agree to a resolution if the settlement terms were provided in writing prior to payment. This request was denied multiple times, and I was then placed on hold without explanation.
When Ms. ***** returned, she said I would receive a resolution letter, but only after payment. She claimed it would include a deletion request, but again refused to confirm that in writing beforehand. I stated I could not proceed under those conditions.
At that point, I informed Ms. ***** that because the call was already being recorded by the company with my consent I would begin recording as well, as both parties must consent under Floridas two-party consent law (Fla. Stat. ******). I initiated this only to secure legal protection, since I was being asked to pay over $700 without written documentation of the agreement.
Upon being notified of my intent to record, Ms. ***** immediately hung up without further discussion.
This experience raises serious concerns under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), including:
15 U.S. Code 1692e Prohibits misleading representations: refusing to confirm terms in writing while demanding payment may be deceptive.
15 U.S. Code 1692f Prohibits unfair collection tactics: pressuring payment without documentation may qualify.
15 U.S. Code 1692g(a)(2) Requires disclosure of the original creditor: previously, Southern Management SY refused to provide this when asked.
I want to be clear: I am more than willing to pay any agreed-upon settlement as long as the terms are presented to me in writing before any payment is made. That is a fair, legal, and standard expectation in any debt resolution process.Business Response
Date: 04/02/2025
Please see attached responseCustomer Answer
Date: 04/03/2025
Complaint: 23109939
I am rejecting Southern Management SYs response and would like to provide a full and accurate account of the issue.
I first attempted to verify the validity of this debt by requesting the name and contact information of the original creditor. I was told the debt was tied to a property called Legends Kingsville, but no further information was provided to help me confirm the legitimacy of the debt.
I called Southern Management Systems several times and explicitly asked for the contact information of the client claiming the debt against me so I could verify it. I was told no such information would be shared. I then contacted the property currently managing the location once known as Legends Kingsville, and they informed me that the complex is now under new ownership and management, and that they had no record of any account or balance owed under my name.
After multiple failed attempts to verify the debt and obtain more information from Southern Management Systems, I was eventually connected to a manager, ******** *****, during a single phone call on March 19, 2025, at approximately 4:28 PM. I explained that I had already contacted the property currently managing what was formerly known as ******************, and they had no record of any account or balance owed under my name. I asked for verification of the debt or direct contact information for the original creditor, but Ms. ***** told me that I would need to submit a written dispute to a separate department and potentially wait up to 30 days for a response. No immediate verification was offered, and I was not connected with anyone who could provide further details.
During that same call, Ms. ***** also repeatedly pressured me to accept a 75% settlement on the account, which totaled $1,042 and allegedly dated back to September 2020. I made it clear that I would be willing to resolve the account, but only if the settlement terms were provided to me in writing before payment. That request was denied multiple times, and I was told that documentation would only be provided after payment had been submitted a practice I believe to be inappropriate and misleading.
Because I was being asked to make a payment of over $700 without any written documentation, I informed Ms. ***** that I would begin recording the call for my records, especially since the company was already recording the conversation (with my consent). This was consistent with Floridas two-party consent law (Fla. Stat. ******). Upon being informed of my intent to record, Ms. ***** abruptly ended the call without providing any further assistance, confirmation, or resolution.
To be clear:
I am more than willing to resolve the account and pay any agreed-upon settlement, as I have successfully done with other accounts.
However, I will not proceed with any payment without written documentation of the terms, which is both standard practice and legally appropriate.
This entire experience including refusal to identify the original creditor, refusal to verify the debt, refusal to provide written settlement terms, and abrupt termination of a lawful conversation demonstrates bad faith conduct and potentially violates several provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA):
15 U.S.C. 1692e Prohibits false or misleading representations
15 U.S.C. 1692f Prohibits unfair collection practices
15 U.S.C. 1692g(a)(2) Requires disclosure of the original creditor
Southern Management Systems public response to the BBB misrepresents what occurred and ignores these key issues. I stand by my original complaint and remain open to resolving this account but only if the company is willing to operate transparently and provide written terms before payment, as required by law and best practices.
Sincerely,
**** *****Business Response
Date: 04/17/2025
Please see attached responseInitial Complaint
Date:03/17/2025
Type:Customer Service IssuesStatus:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am not liable for this debt with Southern Management Systems, Inc. I do not have a contract with them. I advised them when they called that this was not a debt of mine and asked for them to provide a copy of the original contract as I requested. I demand this account be removed from my credit report.Customer Answer
Date: 03/24/2025
Please find the attached authorizations per your request.Customer Answer
Date: 03/24/2025
Please find the authorization for my file attached.Business Response
Date: 03/25/2025
Please see attached responseBusiness Response
Date: 04/02/2025
Please see attached responseCustomer Answer
Date: 04/02/2025
Complaint: 23074747
I am rejecting this response on the basis that I have had no direct communication with *********, nor has Cambridge contacted me directly. This debt belongs to ******* ****** and is not the responsibility of ***** *******. My attorney has previously notified all relevant parties that ***** ******* holds no legal or financial obligation for this debt. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), information included on a consumer credit report must be accurate and verifiable. Since Southern Management has stated they are no longer in contact with me, ***** *******, and there is no established connection or responsibility for this debt, it must be removed from my credit file immediately. I will only accept upon removal of debt to my credit account.
Sincerely,
***** *******Business Response
Date: 04/15/2025
Please review attached responseCustomer Answer
Date: 04/16/2025
Complaint: 23074747
I am rejecting this response because it still on my credit report and I am not in communication with Cambridge Apartments. I have not been contacted by anyone regarding the validity of this debt.
Sincerely,
***** *******Business Response
Date: 04/25/2025
Please see attached responseCustomer Answer
Date: 04/28/2025
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,
***** *******Business Response
Date: 04/28/2025
Please see attached responseInitial Complaint
Date:02/26/2025
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am filing a complaint against Southern Management Systems (P.O. *****************************) because they failed to claim or respond to a certified letter I sent.On 12/31/2024, I mailed a certified dispute letter to their listed business address. However, instead of accepting the letter and responding as required, the letter was left unclaimed and returned to **** believe this is an unfair business practice and an attempt to ignore legitimate consumer disputesBusiness Response
Date: 03/03/2025
Please see attached responseInitial Complaint
Date:01/23/2025
Type:Customer Service IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
The account is not mine and I asked them to validate the debt, and they could not. I am not liable for this debt with Southern Management *********** I do not have a contract with them, and they did not provide me with the original contract I requested.Business Response
Date: 02/05/2025
Please see attached responseInitial Complaint
Date:01/20/2025
Type:Order IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am not liable for this debt and I do not have a contract with SOUTHERN MANAGEMENT SY plus they did not provide me with the original application like I asked.Account No: ************ Amount Disputed : $0Business Response
Date: 01/28/2025
Please see attached response
Southern Management Systems, Inc. is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.
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