ComplaintsforKansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI)

• 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.

   

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

• Initial Complaint

  05/13/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I accrued medical bills while waiting on SSDI approval. I have since sold my home so attempting to pay down medical debt. Over the past year I have sent 4 letters to the PO Box listed on the website. My letter is professional with my address clearly displayed for correspondence. I have received 0 responses and no official statement to even have a reference number to log into the system. When I tried calling they can’t locate me. I’m just trying to satisfy my debt but have no means to do so. It’s affecting my livelihood. I don’t have much but have offered 4K along with evidence of permanent SSDI.

  

  Business response

  05/14/2023

  Dear, *** *******:  Contrary to the statements in your complaint, aside from the two (2) certified letters you sent to KCI requesting settlement of your accounts, you have made no other attempts to communicate with our office regarding your bills. In fact, on 05/09/23 and 05/10/23, a KCI representative called you to discuss your most recent offer, but the call went directly to voice mail and you have not returned the call or message. Your most recent reduction offer represented approximately 27% of the amount you owe on the specific accounts you cited and was summarily declined by both the original provider and KCI. Despite your contention that you do not have specific account information, you settlement offers have been very specific.  Nonetheless, we would be happy to provide more detailed information should you decide to telephone our office to discuss them. You may also visit our website at *****************.  At the Home screen, click on Make a Payment.  At the next screen, click Pay with a Credit Card.  This will display the self-service portal screen and by clicking the box entitled 'Find My Balance', you will be prompted to enter personal identifiers which will display the accounts we currently have in our database under your name. I trust one of these options will assist you

  Customer response

  05/15/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered] 
  Complaint: ********
  I am rejecting this response because:  I have not received any calls or voicemails from this company. The only specifics I have are based off my collections listed on my credit report. I have no further access to any information including evidence of the validity of the debts. According to your website I need a reference number but since I have not received any written documentation from this organization I have no reference number to access anything. I began sending letters in May of 2022. This was now a year ago. I have received no correspondence in return. There has been no efforts to resolve this matter on the side of your company. I’m seeking resolution with what little I have to offer. As someone on SSDI the debt will be uncollectable and I have offered all I have in terms of assets. I am a single mother trying to get by and doing what little I can so I’m sorry I can’t provide more. I guess it just will remain unsettled.

  Regards,
  ***** *******

  

  Business response

  05/15/2023

  The statement that we have not called is untrue.  In fact, I will have a representative call again this morning at ***** ********.  If this number is incorrect, please advise.

  The fact that a representative cannot locate you is also untrue.  For your reference, try using Reference # *******.

  The statements regarding the website are also untrue (see attached).

  Customer response

  05/15/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered] 
  Complaint: ********
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  The statements from this company are false. They couldn’t possibly have left a VM considering I literally just set it up. I have sent written correspondence while there has been no written correspondence nor no attempt to reconcile this issue other than to call me a liar. I’ve made multiple efforts on my part. They even acknowledge this. Clearly there is no desire to rectify this situation. I will focus my efforts elsewhere.

• Initial Complaint

  03/22/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with Kansas counselors Inc nor do I have a contract with them. They did not provide me the original contract bearing my signature like asked nor have they provided me with hippa authorization to have my medical information

  

  Business response

  03/22/2023

  The consumer in question has owed multiple debts to multiple providers referred to our office for recovery over a six year period.  To which specific accounts is the consumer referring?

  Customer response

  03/22/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered]
  Complaint: ********
  I am rejecting this response because: this is the same response that this company always gives when they don’t have the necessary information to prove that I owe this debt to them. I have tried to get Kansas Counselors to show proof of a contract bearing my signature on any account that they claim I owe. I want all accounts deleted. The law states I have a right to privacy and it also states that you must have my written consent to furnish this information to my credit report. I want a copy of the opt-off form with my signature, if you don’t have your proof delete all accounts.
  Regards,
  ****** *******

  

  Business response

  03/22/2023

  To the contrary, KCI has always responded to any specific consumer issue for *** ******* if and when it identifies a particular account.  It is not only unreasonable to expect KCI to research and investigate the validity of an account if the consumer will not even identify which account the issue and/or dispute pertains to.  Additionally, federal law requires the identification of an account before triggering the need to perform such basic, but mandatory functions detailed in both the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 

  Customer response

  03/22/2023

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered]
  Complaint: ********
  I am rejecting this response because:I have provided a letter in my original complaint and never received the information requested so to say that they responded to my request is inaccurate they signed for it January 7 2023 it’s March now and I still haven’t received proof that they have a contract with my signature hippa release form with my signature. This is a tactic to keep fraudulent information on my credit report and the fair credit report act states that the information has to be accurate or must be deleted. If I don’t get the information that I requested if a 30 day time period that also is a violation of my consumer protection rights. So I state delete these accounts.
  Regards,
  ****** *******

• Initial Complaint

  02/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have reached out to KANSAS COUNSELORS INC.. They have failed to provide proof of validation regarding a debt that does not belong to me. They have furnished this alleged debt on my consumer report and have failed to validate the alleged claim pursuant to Sec. 809(b)of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and according 609(a)(1)(A), you are required by federal law to verify, through the physical verification of the original signed consumer contract, any and all accounts that you post on a credit report. I demand this item be removed from my credit report immediately. KANSAS COUNSELORS INC. you are furnishing inaccurate and incorrect information to the consumer reporting agencies. The reporting of such inaccurate information has caused severe damage to my character, my reputation, my general mode of living and my ability to obtain credit for personal and house purposes. You and your inaccurate reporting have damaged my livelihood. 15 U.S. Code § 1681s–2 - Responsibilities of furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies (a)Duty of furnishers of information to provide accurate information 1) Prohibition (A)Reporting information with actual knowledge of errors A person shall not furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate. Duty: a moral or legal obligation; a responsibility Accurate: correct in all details; exact. Prohibition: a law or regulation forbidding something As Defined by The IRS Even if you didn't receive a Form 1099-C, you must report canceled debt as gross income on your tax return. The IRS Clearly defines a charge off as Gross or Ordinary income, INCOME DOES NOT GET REPORTED ON THE CONSUMER REPORT which in fact makes your reporting of this account inaccurate! Account Number: ****************

  

  Business response

  02/08/2023

  Dear *** ********
  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) is trying to collect, in the amount of $54.00, is an amount you are not responsible for, and that 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 dunning notices for the accounts listed above to your last known address on 08/18/21. 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. 
  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 three (3) 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 12/19/22.  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.  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 **** ********* ** **********) at *** ****** ********* ******** on 04/21/20.  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.
  Most importantly, you will notice that a claim was submitted to the VA Medical carrier on your behalf and they successfully processed the claim.  A payment was received and properly posted to your account by the provider on 11/10/22 in the amount of $184.46 and a contractual adjustment applied in the amount of $1,015.54 on the same day.  These credits result in a remaining patient responsibility of $54.00.  You were notified of this amount in the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) sent to you by the Veterans Administration. To reiterate, KCI is under no obligation to provide validation materials to you at this late date, per the FDCPA, but in an effort to be helpful, our agency has complied.  The materials we have sent are considered sufficient under the law, and we are under no obligation to provide anything further to you as verification.
  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. 
  Sincerely,
  ***** ***** *****
  Director of Compliance

• Initial Complaint

  01/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with *** *** and I do not have a contract with KANSAS COUNSELORS. I have attempted to resolve this issue with the debt collection agency. Equifax was able to delete the previous disputed address as it was not attached to me Equifax Conformation#**********. They did not delete the collections account that is also attached with the address. also did not provide the original application as previously requested. Collection agency: KANSAS COUNSELORS opened: Feb 04, 2019 Original creditor name: *** *** Balance: $8.77

  

  Business response

  01/16/2023

  Dear *** ***********
  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 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 (**** ***).  **** ***. is the emergency physician’s billing service for the ER doctors that rendered services to you at *** ****** ******** of Kansas City on 10/17/18.
  In addition, KCI is a contracted Business Associate for the original provider 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 02/04/19. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the ** ****** *******.  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 a conversation with you on 10/20/22 regarding this debt, you told the representative that you might wish to settle the debt for less than the full amount and/or would call back at the end of that particular week to make a $20.00 payment.
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received two (2) 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 02/22/21.  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 copies of the itemized bills for your debts. These documents are directly from the original creditor and serve 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. 
  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

  11/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 11/01/22, I noticed Kansas counselors inc on my credit report. Collections for $255 for 10 Evergy, open status. Says it was originally reported on 03/07/22. I have never seen or heard of this account before today. I don’t recognize the account. Also, I have not received any communications from them. It’s already after hours when I found it, but I did put in a “contact” request.

  

  Business response

  11/21/2022

  Dear *** **********
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  Your statement indicates you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. did not notify you in advance of reporting an outstanding account balance to the credit reporting agencies.  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 03/07/22 to your current address. Another dunning notice was mailed to the address where you received services from Evergy.  These letters 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 and no disputes received from you that were submitted directly to the credit reporting agencies.
  
  Please understand, with regard to the FDCPA, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you at this late date.
  
  Nevertheless, as a courtesy to you, I am attaching a copy of the itemized bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the utility services rendered to you by ****** for the **** ** ********** **** **** **** ******** ** ***** *********
  Additionally, KCI has made numerous attempts to reach you by telephone, but we have been unable to reach you and you have not returned our calls.
  It is also important to note that the Open Date listed on your trade line is the date the account was referred to collections by your creditor, not the date it was reported to the credit reporting agencies.  In this case, the report date was 09/05/22.
  
  Since your desired resolution is to have a representative reach out to discuss this matter with you, we will certainly comply.  I will have our Collection Supervisor give you a call immediately.  She will be able to answer any questions regarding the account in question and can assist you in any efforts to resolve the matter.  We look forward to assisting you.
  
  UPDATE:  At my instruction, our Collection Supervisor called on 11/10/22 and again on 11/14/22.  There was no answer either time, but she left a Limited-Content voice-mail message, in compliance with Regulation F. On 11/15/22, I was informed you returned the call to our office, and you were able to discuss the matter.  We appreciate you reaching out.
  
  Once you are able to review the attached document, please feel free to contact us again if you have any questions or wish to resolve the matter.
  
  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

  11/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for the debt with KS COUNSLRS and do not have a contract with KS COUNSLRS. They did not provide me with the orginial application like I asked.

  

  Business response

  11/08/2022

  There are numerous active collection accounts for this consumer in our inventory.

  Please provide a Date of Service (DOS), Account Number, Creditor, or Amount so that I may research further and assist.

  I will look forward to your response.

  Thank you!
  

  Customer response

  11/09/2022

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered]
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: i have the account information that is needed please see below.

  KS COUNSLRS **************** $1,144
  

  KS COUNSLRS **************** $844

  KS COUNSLRS ***************** $770

  KS COUNSLRS **************** $877

   

  Regards,
  
  ***** ********

  

  Business response

  11/11/2022

  Dear Ms. ********:
  
  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 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 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 ***** *****  **** ***. is the emergency physician’s billing service for the ER doctors that rendered services to you at *** ****** **** ******** in Lee’s Summit, MO on 09/02/17, 08/30/18, 10/06/18, and 02/23/19, respectively.
  
  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 dunning notices for the above-referenced accounts on 12/01/17, 11/30/18, 01/25/19, and 06/03/19, respectively. The letters sent to your address were not returned via the ** ****** *******.  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 a conversation with you on 04/05/21 regarding these debts, you declined to make any arrangement and told the representative that you would instead simply wait until these debts “fell off” your credit report.
  
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received numerous disputes from you regarding your 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 (*******) 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 11/08/22.  At that time, we marked the accounts as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via *******.
  
  Please understand, after completing our “reasonable investigation” in compliance with the FCRA and responding back to the CRAs via *******, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nevertheless, as a courtesy to you, I am mailing you copies of the itemized bills for your debts. These documents are directly from the original creditor and serve as validation of the services rendered to you by the emergency room physicians (*** ******* ****** *** ***** ** ********* *** **** ******** *** *** **** ** ****** respectively).  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 these 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. 
  
  
  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

  08/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  KANSAS COUNSELORS IN* **** *** ***** ******* ******* * ** ***** ****** ***** ******** ******* * **************** KANSAS COUNSELORS INC is falsely reporting on my credit. I have never had any accounts with them. Per my research KANSAS COUNSELORS INC is a debt collector. They are falsely reporting to my credit! Account #**************** are falsely reporting to my credit file and are against my rights and fair credit act. Under 15 U.S. Code § 1681d - Disclosure of investigative consumer reports; you are in violation. I have attached the definition so you can see the violation! (a)Disclosure of fact of preparation A person may not procure or cause to be prepared an investigative consumer report on any consumer unless— (1)it is clearly and accurately disclosed to the consumer that an investigative consumer report including information as to his character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living, whichever are applicable, may be made, and such disclosure (A) is made in a writing mailed, or otherwise delivered, to the consumer, not later than three days after the date on which the report was first requested I request to be provided proof of this alleged item, specifically the original application, contract, note or other instrument bearing my signature with KANSAS COUNSELORS INC. Failing that, the items must be deleted from the report as soon as possible. Under federal law, you have 30 days to complete your reinvestigation. I will also be seeking $1,000 per violation for: 1.) Defamation 2.) Negligent Enablement of Identity Fraud 3.) Violations of 15 U.S.C 1692g I further remind you that, as in ****** ** ***** ***** ****., No. 95-6445 (C.D.Cal. Nov. 14,1995), you may be liable for your willful non-compliance. Credit reporting laws ensure that bureaus report only 100% accurate credit information. Every step must be taken to assure the information reported is completely accurate and correct.

  

  Business response

  08/23/2022

  Dear Ms. *****:
  
  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) has violated 15 U.S. CODE 1681d of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by procuring or causing to be prepared an investigative consumer report.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, the statute you have cited pertains to hard inquiries into a consumer’s credit report.  KCI has made no such inquiry.
  
  Instead, KCI is defined as a Data Furnisher and as such, subscribes to the credit reporting agencies (CRAs) as a Data Furnisher and has the responsibility of furnishing correct and accurate data to them in accordance with the FCRA.
  
  Secondly, KCI maintains a Services Agreement with the creditor in question (******) to furnish such data on accounts written off to bad debt and referred to us for collection.  KCI waits an additional 180-days after the date of referral to report unpaid non-medical debt to the CRAs.
  
  The creditor in question for your account is ******, which is the utility company you contracted with for utility services between 04/24/20 and 06/02/21 at the property address of **** **** ******* ****** ***** ** *****.
  
  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 10/01/21 for the account listed above to the address you provided at the time of your visit(s). The letters sent to your address were not returned via the ** ****** *******.  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 these debts, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA disputes.
  
  Additionally, my records do not indicate any disputes submitted directly to the credit reporting agencies.
  
  In compliance with the FDCPA, however, I have now marked your account as disputed and will report it as such when KCI next furnishes data to the CRAs.
  
  Also, as a courtesy to you, I am attaching 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 for utility services between 04/24/20 and 06/02/21 at the property address of **** **** ******* ****** ***** ** *****.  This itemized statement includes all charges you incurred going back to 2019.  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. 
  
  
  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.

  Customer response

  08/23/2022

  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed as Assumed Answered]
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* *****

• Initial Complaint

  07/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Kansas counselors inc is fraudulently lying about time frames on my credit. I went to the hospital over 7 years ago. They know this as my address has changed 3 times and they have sent letters to all 3. Yet they are trying to say on my credit report that their case is only 2 years old. Which is impossible as I said it have letter from 3 addresses over the last 7 years. My current residence being almost 4 years. I have disputed this now that I’m new to the whole credit thing. I’ve read many things about this company doing this to multiple people. And I’ve seen their cocky repetitive replies with their cocky legal responses. This company is horrible and so are the people who work for them.

  

  Business response

  08/02/2022

  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. has placed an account balance on your trade line and that is more than seven (7) years old.  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 10/29/19. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the ** ****** *******.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law.  This is the only written correspondence we have mailed to you on the account in question and it 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 claiming to dispute this 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 a single (1) dispute 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 07/22/22.  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.
  
  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 (******* ** ******* **) at ************ Shawnee Mission on 08/01/19.   Despite the fact that you have signed an Authorization to Release Health Info to the Better Business Bureau, I do not wish to attach it here so as to further safeguard your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA). You may keep this for your records.
  
  Additionally, as you can discern from the date of service during which these charges were incurred, that the debt is clearly not seven years old.
  
  Written correspondence you received prior to 10/29/19 was for other accounts you contracted with creditors for service on but never paid.  These debts are now past the statute of limitations and have been deleted from your trade line with the credit reporting agencies and KCI ceased collection efforts years ago.
  
  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.
  

*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. ↩