ComplaintsforKansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI)

• Initial Complaint

  08/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with ******, I do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors Inc. they did not provide me with the original contract as I requested

  

  Business response

  08/04/2023

  Dear *** ******
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (******) to recover charges due to them for utility services rendered to you at the property located at ***** ***** ****** ****** **** **** Grandview, MO ******
  
  In addition, KCI is a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 02/07/23. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any written FCRA dispute.
  
  In fact, despite numerous attempts, KCI has been unable to communicate with you by telephone and you have not returned any of our messages.
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received one (1) dispute from you regarding this account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These Automated Consumer Dispute Verifications (ACDVs) are forwarded to our agency through the Online Solution for Complete and Accurate Reporting (e-OSCAR) system. With each dispute, our agency performs a “reasonable investigation”, as is required by law, and after coordinating with our client, found that the disputed information was accurate and the debt to be valid and still unpaid.  These actions were completed, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most recently on 08/04/23.  At that time, we again marked the account as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via e-OSCAR.
  
  Please understand, after completing our “reasonable investigation” in compliance with the FCRA and responding back to the CRAs via e-OSCAR, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nonetheless, as a courtesy to you, KCI requested and has attached a copy of the final bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the utility services provided to you by ****** for the address stated previously.  You may keep this for your records.  The validation materials attached are deemed sufficient under the law.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  ***** ***** *****
  Director of Compliance
  
  
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

• Initial Complaint

  07/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with EVERGY. I do not have a contract with KANSAS COUNSELORS INC., they did not provide me with the original contract as I requested.

  

  Business response

  07/20/2023

  Dear Mr* **********
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (Evergy) to recover charges due to them for utility services rendered to you at the property located at *** ** ******* **** ** ****** ** *****.
  
  In addition, KCI is a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 07/06/21. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any written FCRA dispute.
  
  During our only conversation with you on 08/19/22 regarding this debt, you told the representative that you did not recall this account but asked for no further documentation.  KCI marked the account as ‘disputed’ at that time, in compliance with federal law.
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received two (2) disputes from you regarding multiple accounts submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These Automated Consumer Dispute Verifications (ACDVs) are forwarded to our agency through the Online Solution for Complete and Accurate Reporting (e-OSCAR) system. With each dispute, our agency performs a “reasonable investigation”, as is required by law, and after coordinating with our client, found that the disputed information was accurate and the debt to be valid and still unpaid.  These actions were completed, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most recently on 07/20/23.  At that time, we again marked the account as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via e-OSCAR.
  
  ****** *********** ***** ********** *** *********** ************** ** ********** **** *** **** *** ********** **** ** *** **** *** ******** *** ** *** ***** *** ********** ** **** *** ********** ********* ** *** ************** ** ******* ** **** ***** ***** ** **** ******* ********** ** **** ******* ***** ** *** **** **** *** *** ******** **** ******* *** ********* ****** ************ *** *** ************ ******* ******** *** *** *** *********** ***** ** **** ***** *** **** *** **** ****** ** *** *** ********** ********  ** *** ***** *** ****** ****** ** ******* **** ***** ****** **** **** ** ******* ** ****** ** ***** **** * ******* ************** *** **** ****** ****** **** * **** ** ********** ***** *** *** **** ************** *** ********** *** *********** ** ********* **** ********* *** *** *** ********* *** ********* **** ****** *******  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * **** **********  **** ** ** ******* ** ******* * **** *** *** *********** ******** **** ** **** *** **** ********

• Initial Complaint

  07/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with Kansas Counselors Inc, I do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors Inc, they did not provide me with original contract as requested.

  

  Business response

  07/07/2023

  Dear, ***** *********

  You have several accounts open and active in our office from several creditors dating back as far as 2020.

  My records indicate you have never communicated directly with our office verbally or in writing.  Please specify which debt you are referring to so I may investigate and respond.

  Thank you.

   

  Customer response

  07/07/2023

  ** ******* ****** ** ******** **** ***** ********* **** ********** ** *** ********** *********  ** *** ***** *** *** ****** ** ****** ******* **** ****** ******** ******* * **** ******** *** ******** **** ** *** ******** ** ********* ** ********* ** ********* *** find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** ********

• Initial Complaint

  06/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company has and continues to violate § 1006.34 of the FCRA. I have requested and the company has failed to provide me with a copy of any viable evidence, bearing my signature, showing the account with Kansas Counselors and/or MEP LLC is being reported accurately or that I owe any amounts being asserted. Furthermore, the information this company is disclosing violates HIPAA policies.

  

  Business response

  06/27/2023

  Dear Ms. *******
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statement indicates that you allege the debt Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) did not respond to your request for validation of the debt. I want to take a moment to address your concerns.
  
  First, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the account listed above on 10/03/16. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law.
  
  Nevertheless, when we received your written request for validation of your debt (despite your correspondence being nearly five years after the expiration of the validation period) KCI obtained the necessary documentation form the original creditor and mailed it to you.  In fact, there were other letters we received, and we validated all the debts in question; five (5) in total.  These actions were completed on 08/17/21. 
  
  In fact, until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau, KCI has never received any verbal or written communication from you claiming to dispute this particular debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute. 
  
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received twenty-six (26) disputes from you regarding multiple accounts submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These Automated Consumer Dispute Verifications (ACDVs) are forwarded to our agency through the Online Solution for Complete and Accurate Reporting (e-OSCAR) system. With each dispute, our agency performs a “reasonable investigation”, as is required by law, and after coordinating with our client, found that the disputed information was accurate and the debt to be valid and still unpaid.  These actions were completed, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most recently on 04/19/23.  At that time, we marked the account as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via e-OSCAR.
  
  Please understand, after completing our “reasonable investigation” in compliance with the FCRA and responding back to the CRAs via e-OSCAR, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.  The documents that were previously mailed and received by you (as evidenced by your attachments) are deemed sufficient under the law for verification purposes.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In short, this debt has been validated, yet remains unpaid.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** **********
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

  Customer response

  06/27/2023

  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** *** **** **** ** * ****** *** *** *** ********* *** ********* ** ** ****** ** ******** **** ********* **** ** ****** ** ******* ********** ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because the company has failed in over 26 attempts to provide me with a copy of any documents, bearing my signature, showing that I have a legally binding contractual obligation to pay them the alleged amount that has and continues to be reported on my credit profile. ******** ** ** **** **** * **** ******* *** * ******* **  the FCRA and FDCPA, this company has been and continues to be in violation of federal, state and local laws.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* ******

  

  Business response

  06/28/2023

  Ms. *******

  As stated previously, KCI validated all five (5) debts despite the fact that there was no legal obligation to do so, at that late date.  Also, as previously explained, the documents provided by the original creditor and attesting to the fact that you are the legal guarantor, and that the outstanding balances are accurate, is sufficient documentation under federal law.

  Although I can appreciate your demand for a document bearing your signature, this is not a requirement for verification of a debt under the FDCPA. The current itemized statements obtained directly from the provider in your case is again sufficient documentation to demonstrate that you are the responsible party, and that the amounts KCI is attempting to collect are accurate. 
  

  To clarify, Kansas Counselors, Inc., is acting as third-party debt collection agency on behalf of MEP, LLC, who has contracted with our agency and referred your delinquent accounts for recovery.

  Customer response

  06/29/2023

  ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response. Pursuant to staff opinion Letter from John F. LeFevre, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, to Robert G. Cass, Compliance Counsel, Commercial Financial Services (Dec. 23, 1997), 1997 WL 33791232, at *1, a printout of a bill or itemized document does not constitute verification.

  I am again asserting that I have requested, multiple times, a copy of any documents, bearing my signature, showing that I have a legally binding contractual obligation to pay the alleged amount.
  
  ******** ******* ******

• Initial Complaint

  06/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with Providence Medical Center. I do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors INC. They did not provide me with the original contract as i requested.

  

  Business response

  06/20/2023

  Dear ******** ******:
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor *********** ******* ****** to recover charges due to them for medical services rendered to you on 06/13/20.
  
  In addition, KCI is a contracted Business Associate for the original provider (Covered Entity) and a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 12/22/20. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  In fact, during our only conversation with you on 08/20/21 regarding this debt, you told the representative that you would not pay because you were only in the hospital for a brief period of time.
  My records also indicate that we’ve never received a dispute from you regarding your account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs). 
  
  It is of particular note that the original balance of your charges was: $839.00.
  
  A claim was successfully submitted and processed by your health insurance carrier, **** ********** ****** ** ****** *****  On 06/30/20 your carrier submitted a payment of $3.06 and a contractual adjustment of:  $335.60 to ********** ******* *****r which resulted in the amount you currently owe, and which was referred for collection in late 2020.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  ***** ***** ***** ******** ** **********
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

• Initial Complaint

  06/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Im not liable for this debt with ** *********** I do not have a contract with KANSAS COUNSELORS INC they did not provide me with the original contract as i requested

  

  Business response

  06/13/2023

  Dear Mr. *********
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (EM Specialists).  ** *********** is the emergency physician’s billing service for the ER doctors that rendered services to you at ************ ******* ******* on 07/05/20.
  
  In addition, KCI is a contracted Business Associate for the original provider (Covered Entity) and a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you dunning notices for the above-referenced accounts on 09/30/20. The letters sent to your address were not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  In fact, during our only conversation with you on 06/16/21 regarding this debt, you told the representative that you wanted no further contact at your home telephone or cellular number.
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received seventeen (17) disputes from you regarding your account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These Automated Consumer Dispute Verifications (ACDVs) are forwarded to our agency through the Online Solution for Complete and Accurate Reporting (e-OSCAR) system. With each dispute, our agency performs a “reasonable investigation”, as is required by law, and after coordinating with our client, found that the disputed information was accurate and the debt to be valid and still unpaid.  These actions were completed, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most recently on 05/26/23.  At that time, we marked the accounts as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via e-OSCAR.
  
  Please understand, after completing our “reasonable investigation” in compliance with the FCRA and responding back to the CRAs via e-OSCAR, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nevertheless, as a courtesy to you, I am mailing you a copy of the itemized bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the services rendered to you by the emergency room physician (Dr. William B. Kruse, MD.).  I do not wish to attach it here so as to safeguard your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA). You may keep this for your records.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** **********
  
  
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

  Customer response

  06/13/2023

  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** *** **** **** ** * ****** *** *** *** ********* *** ********* ** ** ****** ** ******** **** ********* **** ** ****** ** ******* ********** ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  They never send me a contract or a 1099 by the fca I was never mailed I would like proof . I do no lt owe the debt to them . If this is not resolved I will get legal action I have already spoke to a lawyer 
  Regards,
  
  ****** ********

  

  Business response

  06/14/2023

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

  As explained previously, your contract is with EM Specialists and KCI is not required to provide a contract as part of the debt validation process.  

  Your reference to the IRS form 1099, which is used to declare income is confusing, as is your reference to 'fca'.  It is entirely unclear what point you are trying to make with these statements, or to what issues you are referring and it renders me unable to assist you further at this time.

   

  Customer response

  06/14/2023

  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** *** **** **** ** * ****** *** *** *** ********* *** ********* ** ** ****** ** ******** **** ********* **** ** ****** ** ******* ********** ********** ********
  I am rejecting this response because:
  So I’m I supposed to do a report on ems then witch I never received from them since there the original creditor 
  Regards,
  ****** ********

• Initial Complaint

  06/04/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with MEP LLC and do not have a contract with KANSAS COUNSELORS INC. They did not provide me with the original application as I requested.

  

  Business response

  06/05/2023

  Dear Ms. *********
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc. and that we have refused to provide you with your original application.  I want to take a moment to address your concerns.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (MEP, LLC).  MEP, LLC. is the emergency physician’s billing service for the ER doctors that rendered services to you at *** ****** ********* ******** * ***** *** ** *********
  
  In addition, KCI is a contracted Business Associate for the original provider and a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  Neither KCI nor your original creditor (a healthcare provider) are lending institutions, so I am confused by your reference to an application. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 11/10/20. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  In fact, until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau, KCI has never received any verbal or written communication from you claiming to dispute this particular debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  
  Moreover, my records indicate that we have never received any disputes from you regarding this account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs). 
  
  Please understand, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nevertheless, as a courtesy to you, I am mailing you a copy of the itemized bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the services rendered to you by the emergency room physician (*** **** ******).  I do not wish to attach them here so as to safeguard your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA). You may keep this for your records.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * ***t collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

  

  Business response

  06/05/2023

  Dear Ms. *********
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc. and that we have refused to provide you with your original application.  I want to take a moment to address your concerns.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (MEP, LLC).  MEP, LLC. is the emergency physician’s billing service for the ER doctors that rendered services to you at *** ****** ********* ******** * ***** *** ** *********
  
  In addition, KCI is a contracted Business Associate for the original provider and a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  Neither KCI nor your original creditor (a healthcare provider) are lending institutions, so I am confused by your reference to an application. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 11/10/20. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  In fact, until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau, KCI has never received any verbal or written communication from you claiming to dispute this particular debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  
  Moreover, my records indicate that we have never received any disputes from you regarding this account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs). 
  
  Please understand, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nevertheless, as a courtesy to you, I am mailing you a copy of the itemized bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the services rendered to you by the emergency room physician (*** **** ******).  I do not wish to attach them here so as to safeguard your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA). You may keep this for your records.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * ***t collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

• Initial Complaint

  06/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Kansas counclers have been harassing me for a year about a medical bill . After talking to the providers billing department multiple times telling me that there is nothing in collections , I have informed ks counclers of this multiple times they refuse to call the provider to clear this up and they are progressively getting more aggressive with me

  

  Business response

  06/02/2023

  Dear Mr. ************
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statement indicates you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect a debt which was never referred to our agency for collection.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  Despite purported conversations you’ve had with the original creditor to the contrary, the account in question was, in fact, referred to our agency for collection on 04/15/22 in the amount of $1,069.00, These emergency room physician’s charges stemmed from a visit to ***** *** **** on 12/01/21.
  
  When account balances are written off by a medical provider to bad debt, the charge-off results in the amounts appearing as a zero balance in the provider’s system once the balance is transferred.  Unfortunately, conversations between patients and healthcare representatives unfamiliar with the collection process can result in misinformation and misunderstanding.  Namely, it is not uncommon for a representative to be unaware the balance has been forwarded to collection or that a statement regarding a zero balance can be misconstrued.
  
  Not only does this appear to have happened in your case, but the misinformation you were provided with made communication between you and our office ineffective, to say the least.
  
  As was explained to you in your follow-up call on 06/01/23, at the request of the healthcare providers we contract with, we do not contact their offices to validate account balances without supporting documentation or a requirement for verification under federal law.  In your case, the validation period afforded you under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) expired a year ago and aside from your statements that you had spoken to “Paul,” you provided us no further documentation to assist us with an investigation.
  
  Your conversation with our representative, however, was brought to my attention yesterday and I made an exception and had our Client Liaison office contact the provider to verify your balance.  Unfortunately, as of 06/01/23, the balance remained: $1,069.00.
  
  This morning, however, we were notified by the provider that they had received a payment and a contractual adjustment today from your carrier, presumably the Veterans Administration.  The amount of the payment reported today is:  $166.86.  The contractual adjustment reported today is:  $902.14.  In combination, these two (2) transactions reduce the balance of your account to zero as of 06/02/23.  
  
  As such, I can fully agree to your desired resolution to have no further contact with you based not only on your request that we cease and desist communication, but upon the fact that the balance has been reported as paid and now has a zero balance.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  S********* ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * **** ********r. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  05/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I sent a letter to the business requesting validation of a debt that appeared on my ******** *** ******* credit reports. The letter was sent certified mail on April 6, 2023. As of today, May 26, 2023, I have not received any response to my request for evidence that I owe this debt. I want this debt (collection account) removed from my credit reports immediately. I also demand all calls and harassment stop.

  

  Business response

  06/01/2023

  Dear Ms. ********
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) has failed to validate your debt.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 06/08/22. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, the only correspondence we have received was your certified dispute letter postmarked April 6, 2023.  KCI promptly marked your account as disputed in compliance with the FDCPA.
  
  Please understand, after receipt of your letter, more than a year after the expiration of the validation period afforded you under federal law, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nevertheless, as a courtesy to you, I am mailing you a copy of the itemized bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the services rendered to you by the City of Kansas City, Missouri for ambulance services to Research Medical Center from your home, located at ***** ********* ***** **** ** ** ******** *** *****  I do not wish to attach it here so as to safeguard your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA). You may keep this for your records.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * **** **********  **** ** ** ******* ** ******* * **** *** *** *********** ******** **** ** **** *** **** purpose.
  

• Initial Complaint

  05/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Kansas Counselors has posted a derogatory collection account to my Experian and TransUnion credit files in violation of the FDCPA. I was never notified of this debt, do not know who the original creditor is, have not had a chance to dispute the alleged debt or ask for validation of the alleged debt. I would also like verification that KCI can collect in my state of Florida and that the statute of limitations has not passed on this alleged debt.

  

  Business response

  05/21/2023

  Dear Ms. *** ******
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statement indicates that you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. did not contact you before furnishing information regarding your debt to the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice on 06/03/22. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  This satisfies the requirements for notification under Regulation F. 
  
  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law.  Moreover, this is not the only written correspondence we have mailed to you, since you have additional unpaid debts in our office.  However, the account referenced above is the only account currently being reported by KCI to the credit reporting agencies under your name.
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you.  Your complaint did not dispute this debt and we have not directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute from you.
  
  As for your query regarding our licensing in the state of Florida, KCI is currently licensed, active and in good standing.  *** ******* ****** ***  ***********
  As for the query regarding the statute of limitations, the date of service stems from services rendered to you by the emergency room physician (Dr. **** ******) at St. Luke’s Northland Hospital, located in Kansas City, MO on 10/18/21.  The statute of limitation for written and oral contracts in the state of Missouri is ten (10) and five (5) years, respectively.  The statute of limitation for written and oral contracts in the state of Florida is five (5) and four (4) years, respectively.  In neither state has the statute of limitations expired.  
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements, and state law regarding licensing.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * **** **********  **** ** ** ******* ** ******* * **** *** *** *********** ******** **** ** **** *** **** ********

  Customer response

  05/22/2023

  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** *** **** **** ** * ****** *** *** *** ********* *** ********* ** ** ****** ** ******** **** ********* **** ** ****** ** ******* ********** ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  Please provide proof of the letter that was supposedly sent in June 2022. I have received no letter. You likely sent a letter to an incorrect address. 
  

  You stayed I never disputed the debt that is because I never knew this debt existed. It seems odd to have such a high amount allegedly owed when I had insurance. 
  

  As a minority woman, this seems extremely predatory and racist. You state just mailing a letter satisfies the notification requirement on your end even though you sent the letter to an incorrect address. It is not my fault if someone doesn’t take the time to write “not at this address” and return the mail. Mail forwarding only lasts so long.
  

  Several weeks ago a family member told me she received a call from a company looking for me. When I researched the number I saw it was KCI. I had zero clue what this could be so I disregarded the call as spam. I have the screen shot she sent me. But I know for a fact you guys were calling my family now which also seems wrong. KCI never called me directly. Tells me you were working off outdated data which also makes sense that you would send any communication to an incorrect address. 
  

  I am also going to file a complaint with other regulatory bodies because what you guys are doing here is not ethical and I do not believe complies with the intent of the FDCPA. In this economy to just post a debt and lie about sending me a letter one year ago to an incorrect address is beyond the pale. If you did send me a letter a year ago why would you just post the collection now and not at the end of the 30 days in July 2022 as per your message. This all makes no logical sense.
  

  Again, if you show reason, delete these collections, verify the debt I’m happy to pay something I actually owe. But not under these circumstances where you are tricking the system to ruin people’s credit with no notice. 

  TS

  

  Business response

  05/22/2023

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

  Although I am under no obligation to provide this information to you, I have attached the actual letter copy of the dunning notice mailed to you on 06/22/23, as well as the DAKCS Beyond system confirmation of the letter generation.  You will notice three entries because you were sent three (3) notices on that day, as you currently have three bad debt accounts referred for collection and open with our office. 

  My apologies if you misunderstood my statement regarding the fact that you have not disputed the debt.  This was not in reference to your claim of not having received the dunning notice(s) in question that was mailed to you, but in reference to the fact that your current complaint did not provide explicit nor implied language to indicate you are actively disputing the debt(s) in question.  Based on your follow-up correspondence, I must assume you are now disputing the debt and have marked the applicable account as disputed.  Please advise if this is not the case.

  Your statements regarding thirty (30) days refers to the length of time a consumer has to request validation in writing after receipt of the initial dunning notice.  This is not to be confused with the current time delay established by the credit reporting agencies for furnishing data to a consumer's trade line for medical debt.

  Lastly, you have several telephone numbers associated with your account(s).  KCI is allowed by law to seek location information or to call any numbers you have provided the original creditor as long as debt information is not communicated to an unauthorized third-party.  KCI digitally records its calls to protect both consumers and agency alike.

  As stated previously, should you decide to resolve your outstanding obligations to MEP, LLC. you may contact our office directly or visit our consumer portal at *****************

  I appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

   

  Scott Tacke

  Director of Compliance

   

  This communication is form a debt collector.

   

  Customer response

  05/23/2023

  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** *** **** **** ** * ****** *** *** *** ********* *** ********* ** ** ****** ** ******** **** ********* **** ** ****** ** ******* ********** ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  The first attachment was sent in September to my address in Orlando which is a correct address and coincidentally one I provided yesterday however I never received this letter. I was out of the town in August-September and during this time hurricane Ian hit which affected the mail. So, while I don’t believe KCI sent the letter it’s possible they did and the letter was affected by the flood.
  

  The second attachment shows a very old address in Lees Summit MO that I haven’t lived at in ten years. There would obviously be no mail forwarding for a place I haven’t lived at for a decade.
  

  Given this old and outdated information I’m very curious why my Aunt was called as that number has never been associated with me and is not on any of my credit information.

  I’m also wondering if my HIPAA rights were violated. What information was sent to you? I feel as though more than the minimum necessary standard may have been shared here because it’s very clear what has happened thus far has been unethical at best.
  

  Again I’m requesting deletion of the collection, dispute, validation and if I do owe something I’m happy to pay if the collection is deleted and not just reported as paid. A paid collection does not improve my FICO score.

  I am also going to filing a complaint with the CFPB  

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

  

  Business response

  05/23/2023

  *** *** ******
  The letter attached (3******) with the ******* address was sent to you in error and has no bearing on your complaint.  It was inadvertently attached when responding to your rejection.
  When I recognized the mistake, I sent the correct image to the Better Business Bureau this morning.  I apologize for the confusion.
  The correct notice is for Account Number ********
  The address the notice was mailed to is the address you previously provided to the facility where you were seen.  KCI has acted as required by law with regard to this notification.  Nevertheless, if you claim not to have received this, the pertinent attachment fulfills this notification.  Additionally, you have the right to dispute the debt (which I addressed in my previous response) as well as the right to request validation of the debt, and you have done so.
  The information contained on the dunning notice is the extent of the information disclosed by the covered entity to KCI (Business Associate) for the purpose of payment and in compliance with HIPAA.
  Now that you have requested validation of the debt, I have obtained a verification document in compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Regulation F.  I am mailing you a copy of the itemized bill for your debt to the address you have confirmed. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the services rendered to you by the emergency room physician (Dr. R*** ******) at St. Luke’s Northland Hospital – Barry Road on 10/18/21.  I do not wish to attach it here so as to safeguard your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). You may keep this for your records.
  When researching your complaint, I was informed that you have previously been in contact with the original provider regarding this particular debt.  In fact, not only have you contacted their office on more than one occasion, but you also established a payment arrangement with their office back in February of 2022.  Unfortunately, you made only one payment of $73.83 on 03/31/22. These statements are verified by the notes on the original provider’s itemized statement.
  Lastly, it is KCI’s practice, and the policy of the national credit reporting agencies, (NCRAs) to fully delete paid in full medical debt.  As such, should you decide to pay your outstanding balance, I will submit a request for full deletion of the item from your trade line with the NCRAs.

   

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

*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. ↩