ComplaintsforCommonwealth Financial Systems, Incorporated

• Initial Complaint

  10/31/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Commonwealth Financial is reporting a collection account for a company named **** of Oak Park. Research revealed that the company is some sort of medical group. I do not owe any medical Bill's and have not bill hospitalized in recent years. Additionally, I have both ******** and ******** medical coverage. I do not believe that this bill belongs to me and am asking that this collection be removed from my report immediately.

  Business response

  11/02/2021

  Re:   Complaint ID  ********;  ***************************

  Dear *******,  

  We would like to take this opportunity to resolve the complaint, however,  the address provided in the complaint does not link us to this individual.  We will need verifiable information, such as the last 4 digits of the individual's social security number or date of birth. If preferable, complainant can contact our office at ************** and go through the verification process for a record search.

  Sincerely,

  Michelle H************

   Legal/Compliance Dept.

  **This is a communication from a debt collector.  

• Initial Complaint

  10/30/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  COMMONWEALTH FINANCI *************** the following company DICKSON CITY, PA  ************** has violated my consumer right and hippa violation by reporting a medical collection on my consuer report i never had contact with this company ,never performmed a consumer trancsactionwith this company .they are in violtatio =n of fdcpa and will not remove this account.i need for this account to be remove before i go to my attourney general

  Business response

  11/05/2021

  Re. CFSI Acct #s ********* & ********* 

  Dear *******,

  This response is in relation to CFPB Complaint ID ******** submitted on behalf of ***********************.

  We at Commonwealth Financial Systems  Inc. (CFSI) take our consumer protection obligations very seriously and have dedicated significant resources to our compliance-related functions. I have personally reviewed the inquiry and believe the following information will address the issues and concerns set forth in the complaint. 

  Commonwealth Financial Systems,  Inc. is a third-party collection agency and as such, we do not have contracts directly with consumers. We service accounts on behalf of our clients with whom we share a contract and who has purchased the account from the original creditor. The original creditor has a right to sell/charge-off accounts after they become seriously past due. While the consumer did not create the debt with the collection agency, the original creditor has sold/charged off the original debt to our client who then assigned it to our office for collection. This is what gives the collection agency the ability to collect for an outstanding debt.  In regard to medical debt arising from services of this nature, a waiver is signed by the patient, or responsible party, upon acceptance for medical services. A copy of this waiver can be obtained from the facility from which services were sought.

  The HIPAA law permits creditors to share information with its Business Associates necessary to collect on medical debt. The HIPAA rules require that covered entities and business associates enter into contracts to ensure protected health information is appropriately safeguarded. Commonwealth Financial Systems, Inc. operates under a Business Associates Agreement with our client which certifies that we agree to not share private health information with anyone other than the consumer, or authorized party, and we further agree to keep records secure. Our company has been fully compliant with HIPAA requirements concerning privacy of medical records. 

  The above referenced account was reviewed fully in conjunction with the consumers complaint and no violations were found. The above listed accounts are closed following consumer's cease request in a complaint through another regulatory agency. We have closed the accounts and they will be returned to our client as unresolved. 

  We feel this should address consumer's concerns as set forth in the complaint.

  Sincerely,

  Michelle H*********

  Legal/Compliance Dept.

  **This is a communication from a debt collector.

• Initial Complaint

  10/27/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I ***************************** reached out to this company in regards to the alleged debt back on Aug 8 , 2021. I didnt give them consent to my information which is identity theft. The debt is significantly impacting my ability to get lines of credit, a vehicle and a mortgage. i demand this collections be removed from my account asap. First and foremost there is no statue of limitation on fraud. i never gave you consent to my information which is a direct violation of 15 U.S. Code § 1681a - Definitions; rules of construction(3)Restriction on sharing of medical information.—Except for information or any communication of information disclosed as provided in section 168b(g)(3) of this title, the exclusions in paragraph (2) shall not apply with respect to information disclosed to any person related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, if the information is (A)medical information; (B)an individualized list or description based on the payment transactions of the consumer for medical products or services; or (C)an aggregate list of identified consumers based on payment transactions for medical products or services. 15 U.S. Code § 1692b - Acquisition of location information (5)not use any language or symbol on any envelope or in the contents of any communication effected by the mails or telegram that indicates that the debt collector is in the debt collection business or that the communication relates to the collection of a debt; and 15 U.S. Code §?1692e.False or misleading representations (8)Communicating or threatening to communicate to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed.

  Business response

  10/28/2021

  Re: CFSI Acct # *********

  We at Commonwealth Financial Systems Inc. (‘CFSI’) take our consumer protection obligations very seriously and have dedicated significant resources to our compliance-related functions. I have personally reviewed the inquiry and believe the following information will address the issues and concerns set forth in the complaint. 

  Commonwealth Financial Systems, Inc is a third-party collection agency. We service accounts on behalf of our clients with whom we share a contract and who has purchased the account from the original creditor. The original creditor has a right to sell/charge-off accounts after they become seriously past due. While the consumer did not create the debt with the collection agency, the original creditor has sold/charged off the original debt to our client who then assigned it to our office for collection. This is what gives the collection agency the ability to collect for an outstanding debt. 

  The above referenced account was placed in our office for collections on 07/07/2021. On 09/09/2021, CFSI received notification from the credit reporting agency that Consumer is disputing account-Insurance should have covered. The verification of debt was sent to consumer in response and was not returned as "undeliverable" so CFSI was entitled to presume that **************** had received it. Following receipt of a complaint through another regulatory agency, the Itemized Billing Statement is being forwarded to the consumer  which indicates there was an issue regarding insurance. ***************'s insurance company can offer more guidance and we encouraged her to contact her them to discuss the issue identified. 

  ******************** recent dispute claims Identity Theft. Our client requires a copy of the police report in order to investigate the matter. The report can be mailed to our office at Commonwealth Financial Systems, Inc., *****************, Dickson City, PA ********, or emailed to ***************************. To prevent any delays, the CFSI Acct # should be documented on all correspondence.

  Sincerely, Michelle H***********

  Legal/Compliance Dept.

  **This is a communication from a debt collector. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

  Customer response

  10/29/2021

  [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 Answered]
  
   Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  You are a third party collection agency but I DO NOT HAVE A CONTRACT WITH YOU so therefore you are violating the law by furnishing false misleading information on my credit report(15 USC 1692e). You are in severe violation of 15 U.S.C. 1692g, 15 U.S.C. 1695, FCRA, FDCPA, along with the Gramm-LeachBliley Act.

  Under the FCRA, for an account to be validated, myself, friends or my associates were to be interviewed. NONE OF THAT NEVER HAPPENED FOR This ACCOUNT SO it NEEDs TO BE DELETED. According to the 15 U.S.C. 1692g (B), for a debt to be valid the original contract with my wet ink signature must be supplied to me showing proof of my original signature. This has not been done in any form within the allotted time.

  According to the ********************************** Act, I have the right to deny any items from being reported on my credit reports. I know my rights and the fact that consumer reporting is completely optional.

  I never gave any agency my consent that ANY DEBT belonged to me. You have violated United States Code Law 15 U.S Code 1681b - Permissible purposes of consumer reports (a) In general subject to subsection (c) I never gave you written consent to report anything on my consumer report.

  Since I never gave consent to have these items reporting, these items are false and misleading. 15 U.S.C 1681a (b) "Any authorization or approval of specific extension of credit directly or indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or similar device", Anything authorized from my credit card should be excluded from my consumer report.

  The definition of a credit card as seen in 15 U.S.C 1602- “Any CARD,PLATE, COUPON BOOK or other device existing for obtaining money, property, labor or services on credit. My social security card and license are credit cards under this definition. Another violation of my rights.

  Agencies were to notify me of this in writing 5 days prior, I was not. As the original creditor, only I can validate this debt. I do not validate this debt. According to 15 U.S.C 1692j and the fact that I'm the original creditor, these items are furnished in a deceptive form. Therefore, if this account isnt removed you will be held CRIMINALLY & CIVILLY LIABLE! 

  Furthermore The definition of Identity theft is "NO CONSENT" in which I never provided you with. In the last letter I asked you for validation of the debt with several items:

  1) An explanation of what this alleged account balance is for.

  2) A complete Audit Trail calculation of this balance, including the complete payment history on this account, so I have proof that the amount is correct.

  3) Documentation that shows I agreed to pay this debt with my signature and documentation shows i gave you permission to have my information and paperwork showing i gave you authorization to report this to my credit report. BILLING STATEMENTS ARENT valid documentation since there is no statute of limitation on fraud. I have a right to rescission per 15 USC 1641(c). Having given No consent to you having my information and unauthorized use of my social security number is identity theft and you will be reported for such and held criminally and civilly liable.

  4) The Agreement that grants you authority to collect on this alleged debt.

  5) A copy of your state license, including license number that give you rights to collect in my state.
  
  6) (The purchase agreement)
  
  7) (Swear under penalty of perjury you were present during the alleged debt)

  None of these items were provided to me which further equates to your negligence of the items submitted in my original BBB compliant. 

  Remove this item from my credit report immediately as you have violated many laws including those stated above. 

  Thank you, 

  ******** ****** 

  Reporting information that you know to be inaccurate or failing to report information correctly violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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

  Business response

  11/05/2021

  Re. CFSI Acct # ********* 

  Dear *******,

  This response is in relation to **.  ******** rejection to our company response. 

  Commonwealth Financial Systems,  Inc. is a third-party collection agency and as such, we do not have contracts directly with consumers. We service accounts on behalf of our clients with whom we share a contract and who has purchased the account from the original creditor. The original creditor has a right to sell/charge-off accounts after they become seriously past due. While the consumer did not create the debt with the collection agency, the original creditor has sold/charged off the original debt to our client who then assigned it to our office for collection. This is what gives the collection agency the ability to collect for an outstanding debt. In regard to medical debt arising from services of this nature, a waiver is signed by the patient, or responsible party, upon acceptance for medical services. A copy of this waiver can be obtained from the facility from which services were sought.

  Following ****************'s disputes, Commonwealth Financial Systems Inc. (CFSI) conducted an internal investigation and confirmed that the information in CFSIs records matched the information being reported to the credit bureaus. Commonwealth Financial Systems, Inc. has provided **************** with both a validation letter and an Itemized Billing Statement. We have provided consumer all necessary information required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and applicable State law. Commonwealth Financial Systems, Inc. has met its standard for verification under Federal law and the investigation is complete on our end. Licensing information is available to the public and can be found online within the consumer's state. 

  Please note, the above referenced debt is  a medical debt. Upon initial communication with consumer, the verification of debt notice was sent to consumer in accordance with 15 U.S. Code ?1692g. 

   The above referenced account was reviewed fully in conjunction with the consumers complaint and no violations were found. We will continue to note the account as disputed. 

  Sincerely,

  Michelle H**************,
  Legal/Compliance Dept.

  ** This is a communication from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. 

• Initial Complaint

  10/20/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Hi this was put back on my credit report after it was taken off and that is a really old hospital bill I'm disabled and been having health insurance since 2016 so I don't know how it's says this account was open on 12/07/2021 when I have health insurance then they took it off my report because it's past statute of limitations because I know I haven't been to the ER in year's besides the night I thought I had a blood clot in my leg from having severe covid but I used my health insurance and it paid it so I don't know why they putting old bills on my credit report and I would like for them to remove it from my credit report because it's too old I'm on disability because I been disabled since I was 19 teen with heart problems and really bad panic disorder and GAD and underweight and a list of other medical problems I have and now having more problems since severe covid in august. I don't know why people do this but I just want it fixed and taken off my credit report thank you

  Business response

  11/17/2021

  Re. CFSI Acct # *********

  Dear *******, 

  This response is in relation to Complaint ID ******** submitted on behalf of *********************************.  We at Commonwealth Financial Systems Inc.(CFSI) take our consumer protection obligations very seriously and have dedicated significant resources to our compliance-related functions. I have personally reviewed the inquiry and believe the following information will address the issues and concerns set forth in the complaint.

  The above referenced account is the result of emergency physicians' services rendered on 02/02/2015 by the original creditor who is ****** ********* ********** . Please note, 12/07/2021 has not yet occurred and is set in the future. We believe this to be an error on the consumer's part. As for the format used by the credit reporting agencies, the ***** * reporting guidelines require we provide specific account information and it is outside our control how it appears on the credit report. 

  Please be advised, the statute of limitation date and the credit reporting date, aka FCRA compliance date,  differ. The statute of limitations applies to the maximum time which legal proceedings may be initiated; Commonwealth Financial Systems,  Inc. does not bring legal action against consumers.  A debt cannot be credit reported beyond 7 years from the service date. 

  We understand billing errors occur and would like to assist ********************** in resolving this issue. Our client will require proof of  insurance coverage on the date of service for review. Consumer can provide a letter of eligibility from the insurance company, a copy of the front and back of the insurance card, or by providing the following: Name of Insurance, Address if known, Phone number, Member/Policy #.  This information can be mailed to Commonwealth Financial Systems,  Inc., *********************** Dickson City, PA *********, or emailed to [email protected] prevent any delays, the CFSI Acct # should be documented on all correspondence.

  We have marked the account to reflect ***********************'s dispute and, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a request to update the tradeline for this account to disputed was submitted to the credit bureaus. 

  I hope my response has addressed the issues and concerns as set forth in the complaint. If there are any further questions, comments or concerns, ********************** can contact our agency at **************.

  Sincerely, 

  Michelle H************

  Legal/Compliance Dept.

  **This is a communication from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.  

• Initial Complaint

  10/15/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This business didn't notify me of any type of balance and placed a balance on my credit report of a fraudulent balance and fraudulent date. I never received anything in the mail from this company because I never received any type of communication from this company. I've never heard anything about this company. The least thing the company could have done was notify me of such balance so that I could have setup a type of payment arrangement if the amount was valid. I need proof of the balance and when I did business with them on the company listed on this paper. This balance isn't for me and needs to be removed from my credit until the dispute has been completed

  Business response

  10/18/2021

  Re. CFSI Acct # *********

  Dear *******,

  This response is in relation to Complaint ID  ********  submitted on behalf of ***************************.  We at Commonwealth Financial Systems Inc. (CFSI)take our consumer protection obligations very seriously and have dedicated significant resources to our compliance-related functions. I have personally reviewed the inquiry and believe the following information will address the issues and concerns set forth in the complaint.

  Commonwealth Financial Systems, Inc. is a National collection company incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania since 2001. We area third-party collection agency that collects on behalf of our clients.

  The above referenced account is a medical debt that originated with Texas Health Resources for  services provided on 04/03/2017. On 10/15/2021, ****************** contacted our office regarding the above referenced account and established a payment arrangement to resolve the subject debt. Should she have any further questions, she can contact her account representative at *****************, ext.***.

  Sincerely, 

  Michelle H**********

  Legal/Compliance Dept.

  **This is a communication from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.   
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/14/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company calls almost daily and leaves no messages. The calls do not identify the company, only the phone number and Columbus OH. They have never sent anything in the mail. They don't identify themselves as a debt collector but they are a debt collector who goes after "zombie debts." I don't have any debts and I have no business with this company. I had to ****** their phone number to find out who was calling. I want their harassment to stop.

  Business response

  10/28/2021

  Dear *******, 

  Please be advised the phone number has been placed in a Do Not Call status. 

  Sincerely, 

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

  Legal/Compliance Dept

  **This communication is from a debt collector

*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. ↩