ComplaintsforSharp Collections Inc

• Initial Complaint

  04/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I never received any papers from this place but my employer just sent me papers stating they are garnishing my wages.

  Customer response

  04/26/2024

  Complaint Detail / Problem
  Complaint Type:
  -- Please Select the Nature of your Complaint --
  select
  Problem:
  I called to speak with a Shelly about a wage assessment as I haven’t received anything SINCE DECEMBER 2023. Which I told her employee. When Shelly called me back she proceeded to call me a liar and state that I annihilated her employee. She wasn’t helpful. She was rather rude. I told her about my previous complaint I filed via email and she proceeded to berate me because I’m causing her more work. I find it highly ridiculous that they are only giving 2 weeks notice for the assessment. I was given nothing in regard to this happening. Especially when I did not live in the city I’m being charged for in 2017,2018, and 2020. I do no appreciate the way I was spoke to and honestly this women shouldn’t even be employed in something customer facing.
  
  Desired Resolution / Outcome
  Desired Resolution:
  Other (requires explanation)
  Other (requires explanation)
  select
  Desired Outcome:
  Billing adjustment; Lower the wage assessment to 5% for the major inconvenience and attitude when I explained I cannot afford what they’re charging. Furthermore I request that Shelly does NOT contact me and if she does, I’d like a sincere apology for being insulted and called a liar.

  Business response

  04/30/2024

  Re: ******** ******* ** * ******** 
  

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

  
  I am writing in response to your email dated April 26, 2024 regarding the complaint filed by *** ******** ******* 

  Sharp Collections, Inc. is a Municipal Tax Collection Agency retained by several municipalities and taxing authorities in Western Pennsylvania to collect Delinquent Per Capita Tax. Two of our clients are the City of Sharon and the City of Hermitage (both in Mercer County), which are the taxing authorities involved with this complaint. Per Capita tax is defined as a tax levied by a taxing authority to everyone over seventeen years of age residing in their jurisdiction, regardless of income, property ownership, or school attendance. Our Office follows the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Taxation Manual under the Local Tax Enabling Act of December 31, **** **** ***** *** **** Each year, our office receives a list from each of these local tax collectors of those who have failed to pay their Per Capita Tax for the previous tax year. 
  *** ****** has been turned over to our office for failing to pay Per Capita Taxes owed to the City of Hermitage for the tax year 2016, and to the City of Sharon for the tax years 2017, 2018, 2020 - 2022. Since May 2017, she has been sent twelve delinquent notices from our office for her Hermitage account and since March 2018, sixteen notices for he* ****** account. *** ****** contacted our office in May 2023 regarding her accounts. During that conversation, the per capita tax was explained. *** ****** reported that she was not a resident of the City of Sharon for some of the tax years in question. She was advised to provide receipts that the tax was paid elsewhere (Sharpsville Borough, in this case), that payments were acceptable with our office, and that as long as payments were made every thirty days, no further collection actions would be taken. On May 12, 2023, we received a fax that her 2021 per capita tax was paid; therefore, that tax year was removed from collections. Adjusted notices were mailed to *** ****** on May 15, 2023. On 7/31/2023, she called our office and made an online Visa payment to be split between her two delinquent accounts. She was again advised to maintain payments to our office every thirty days to avoid further collection actions. On 12/2/2023, a notice was sent on each of her accounts stating that since no payments have been consistently received; further actions may include a wage garnishment or filing a complaint with the local magistrate. *** ****** called on 12/8/2023 and stated she had made a payment on her Hermitage account and that she would make a payment on he* ****** account on 12/22/2023. No further payments were received. 
  In her complaint, *** ****** states that she was not notified of the wage garnishment. She also alleges that Sharp Collections' supervisor was rude and insinuated that she was lying. *** ****** was very upset when she initially called our office when she learned of the garnishment and would not let an employee respond. Since the supervisor was on another call, this employee asked for her phone number so that she could return her call. After the first phone call, *** ****** sent an email at 3:06 pm (prior to a call back from the supervisor). A message was left on her voicemail at 3:12 pm and *** ****** called back to speak to the supervisor at 3:21 pm. We receive telephone calls and correspondence daily from concerned taxpayers and their accounts. Sharp Collections, Inc. is very sensitive to each individual taxpayer's circumstances. During the conversation with the supervisor, it was repeatedly explained that the garnishment would stay in place until paid in full, but that accommodations could be made if the withholding amount would create a hardship. *** ****** repeatedly insisted that she was not made aware, that she didn't know what per capita tax was, and that she could not afford a garnishment. She again stated that she moved from the City of Sharon in 2020. The supervisor reminded her that our office removed the 2021 tax year and to provide further proof that it was paid elsewhere. Our office has explained per capita tax several times to *** ****** and advised on more than one occasion to maintain payments every thirty days. Until now, we have accepted any payments she has made on her accounts. It was encouraged that in order to make any adjustment to the garnishment, that a letter of hardship would be needed as well as contact information for the person in the payroll department that handles garnishments. *** ****** then ended the call. 
  Our office accepts various types of payment arrangements and has extended this same offer to *** ****** in the past. Because of her acknowledgement of unpaid per capita taxes and because we have clearly operated in accordance with Pennsylvania Law and within the guidelines of the adopted resolution regarding the collection of her Delinquent Per Capita Taxes, the garnishment issued by our company will stay in place until *** ******'s account is paid in full. We have verified that the 2022 per capita tax was paid to a different municipality and that tax year has been removed from he* ****** account. Emails have been exchanged with *** ****** (after she filed this complaint) requesting the letter of hardship so accommodations can be made. At the time of this response, our office has not received such. We are attempting to make the withholding adjustment prior to the start of her next payroll period so that 10% of her gross income is not withheld. After reviewing her desired resolution, we will proceed with changing the withholding amount to 5% of her gross income every pay until the account is paid in full (which will take approximately four or five paychecks). Her payroll department has been informed of the adjusted amount (after removing the 2022 tax year) and of the decrease to 5% withholding. 
  Respectfully, 
  

  R L K****** Sharp Collections, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  01/31/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  sharp collections sent a tax bill that said 15 years ago my wife didn't pay north Sewickley taxes for 4 different years. one of the years she didn't even live in north Sewickley township. so, I contacted sharp to try to resolve it and they said that as long as the township was still pursuing it, we had to pay so I got a hold of township tax office, and she said in an email from her office that she would stop them from collecting. so, I sent a copy of that email to sharp and got no response I then followed up with a phone call and donna at sharp said that they were contacting an attorney and said don't call me back and hung up. if this was a legitimate debit collection, why would she say don't call back. and from my understanding Pennsylvania passed a law in January 2017 HB17 that u can't collect on a debit after 10 years.

  Business response

  02/02/2024

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

  As per our conversation, I have attached two emails regarding the complaint filed by *** ******** The first is my attorney's response t* *** ******* directy. The second is an email from the tax collector informing us to remove **** ********* account from collections. As far as our office is concerned, we consider this matter closed.

  Respectfully,

  R L K****** President

  Sharp Collections, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  07/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The company claiming to be Sharp Collections has harassed us for many years. I have told them countless times my wife ****** ******* ******* ** *** ******* ****** ** *********** has only earned $152.00 in her life. We signed a tax exempt form with ** ****** for ****** but they continue to ignore that. We just received a demand for payment or they will try to take it from her paycheck which she does not have. This is harassment in the highest of abuse and will not be tolerated any longer. Sharp Collections is located at P.O. Box 81, Sharpsville, Pa 16150. We moved from PA in 2015 and do not know if ** ****** is still alive. But the records should be intact. I have sent a letter to Sharp Collections once again stating all of this and I included this is their final warning. They are now reported. The locals call this tax the "Right to Breath in Sharpsville" tax. Which means everyone must pay regardless of whether or not they have an income. The exempt form is available from the Sharpsville, PA tax collector.

  Business response

  08/07/2023

  I am writing in response to your email dated July 30, 2023 regarding the complaint filed by *** ******* ****** ******* ** (pertaining to his and ****** ******* ******** *ccounts). 
  Sharp Collections, Inc. is a Municipal Tax Collection Agency retained by several municipalities and taxing authorities in Western Pennsylvania to collect Delinquent Per Capita Tax - including the Borough of Sharpsville, Sharpsville School District, and Mercer County for the account referenced in this complaint. Per Capita tax is defined as a tax levied by a taxing authority to everyone over seventeen years of age residing in their jurisdiction, regardless of income, property ownership, or school attendance. Our Office follows the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Taxation Manual under the Local Tax Enabling Act of December 31, 1965 P.L. 1257, No. 511. Each year, our office receives a list from the elected tax collectors of residents who have failed to pay their Per Capita Tax for the previous tax year. 

  *** * **** ******* have been turned over to our office for failing to pay Per Capita Taxes owed to Borough of Sharpsville, Sharpsville School District, and Mercer County for the tax years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014. The tax year 2007 (on both accounts) was previously paid to our office in February 2009. They have received numerous delinquent notices from our office since initially being turned over for collection. *** ******* has previously recognized that they owed the delinquent tax, plus penalty as provided by statute, as evidenced by the tax year 2007 (again, for both accounts) being paid in full. He is aware of our office and has the understanding that we are a collection agency that assesses collection fees as part of the service provided to our clients as evidenced by paying those fees in addition to the tax amount due for 2007. 

  On August 26, 2013, our office began receiving written correspondence from *** ******* regarding their accounts. Initially, he had agreed to a payment plan of $33.00 each month. Our office responded with a breakdown and that his proposed payment arrangement was acceptable. No further payments were ever received, therefore we continued to pursue collection of the debts owed. Beginning in March 2018, after moving out of state, *** ******* began responding to our notices via written correspondence. After repeated attempts to explain our position without success, their accounts were referred to our attorney due to the nature of *** ******** letters. Enclosed are copies of the series of letters and responses sent and received by our office. 

  
  It is evident that *** ******* is not accepting the fact that we have a responsibility to our client to pursue collections of this tax. Because of his prior knowledge of per capita taxes (current and 
  delinquent) and because we have clearly operated in accordance with Pennsylvania Law and within the guidelines of the adopted resolution regarding the collection of her Delinquent Per Capita Taxes, the costs incurred and the amount due are true and correct. 
  

  Respectfully, 
  
  Rochelle *. K****** President Sharp Collections, Inc. 
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  02/04/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Sharps collection violates consumer laws. Harassment calls to friends and family.. There is a balance of 160 owed. Charged me for 2019. When I already sold the Mobile home.. Now I have taken the liberty to report this matter to my Attorney and I'm not to speak to them. The money owed will be sent to them via money order and if any further communication harassment is done to me, my family, or my friends I will follow through with a civil lawsuit. There are laws in place for this and they do not by any means follow the letter to the law.. I am a domestic abuse survivor I do not have to publish my address nor phone number. Privacy laws.. and I will also report this matter to my domestic abuse advocate.

  Business response

  02/07/2023

  Please see attached response to the complaint.

• Initial Complaint

  11/13/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This should be a pretty straight forward easy fix. This is for a tax bill, they do not specify but should be per capita tax for the year 2020 in south shenango township pa. I have spoke with the approximately 2 years ago when I received this bill originally and explained this. I moved from pa to Ohio in 2019, I bought a house, live here reside all my bills my life is here. All my vehicles drivers license, Va drs everything transferred in 2019. I even called south shenango township and they said they would update their system. I spoke with sharp collection and they understood I never even had contact in that state, it was covid I had no connection, utilities, property, doctors etc. I have zero ties whatsoever in the state of Pennsylvania and ceased in 2019. If this is a tax bill if they look it is very easy to see I transferred property in 2019 in south shenango after I left. I do not mind paying for something I owe but I do not like being harassed about something I do not owe. I worked in Ohio in 2019 after I was a resident and lived here. There is no possible way I owe anything to this company for 2020. I’ve maintained my residency at the same address since. Example I’ve been here so long I’ve already had to renew my drivers license at this address. I’m unsure what documentation you would need but I don’t feel comfortable giving them any of my personal documentation. They have access enough to see that I do not live there and live here, if they add to credit reports they can look and see I’ve been here and ask south shenango township. They know me feel free to ask them.

  Business response

  11/15/2022

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

   

  Please see attached response to complaint **********

   

  Sincerely,

   

  R * ******

• Initial Complaint

  10/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Sharp Collection owner and employees are rude and condescending. They are a tax collection agency, that sends notice that you haven't paid local per capita tax when it has and proof of that is sent to them. Also, when you are attempting to pay the tax the attach your wages. They are double taxing people, and once they send the wage attachment there is nothing you can do, that's how they keep there doors open stealing tax payers money that has been deducted from their wages already. Thank you

  Business response

  10/25/2022

  I am writing in response to your email dated October 19, 2022 regarding the complaint filed by Ms. ****** *****. 

  
  Sharp Collections, Inc. is a Municipal Tax Collection Agency retained by several municipalities and taxing authorities in Western Pennsylvania to collect Delinquent per Capita Tax. One of our clients is the Moniteau School District in Butler County, which is the taxing authority involved with this complaint. Our office has collected the unpaid per capita tax for the school district for over thirty-five years. Per Capita tax is defined as a tax levied by a taxing authority to everyone over seventeen years of age residing in their jurisdiction, regardless of income, property ownership, or school attendance. Our Office follows the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Taxation Manual under the Local Tax Enabling Act of December 31, 1965 P.L. 1257, No. 511. Each year, our office receives a list from the school of residents who have failed to pay their Per Capita Tax for the previous tax year. In this case, a different collection agency collects the unpaid Butler County and Eau Claire Borough portions of this same per capita tax. Our office solely collects the unpaid school portion for Eau Claire Borough residents. 

  
  Ms. ***** has been turned over to our office for failing to pay Per Capita Taxes Owed to the Moniteau School District for the tax years 1997, 1999, 2006, and 2013 - 2021. She has received over forty delinquent notices froin our office since initially being turned over for collection, beginning 3/1/1999 and continuing through 7/13/2022. Ms. ***** has previously recognized that she owed the delinquent tax, plus penalty as provided by statute, as evidenced by the sporadic payments made, beginning in 2000. In 2000, she also began to contact our office and claim that she has repeatedly provided proof to our office that this tax has been paid, that this tax was withheld from her paycheck, that our office had previously garnished her wages for this tax, and accused our office of trying to double tax her. Our office has repeatedly attempted to explain the per capita tax to Ms. ***** and we have stated on multiple occasions that we are not associated with the other agency that collects the unpaid County/Borough portions. Until now, we have not garnished her wages and have accepted any payments she has made on her account. On 10/21/22, we verified with this other agency that they 
  iously garnished Ms. *****'s wages and that Ms. ***** has had a delinquent account with their office starting with tax year 2003, 

  
  In her complaint, Ms. ***** alleges that Sharp Collections' owner and employees are rude and condescending. I personally have been involved with these conversations and have overheard other exchanges over the years. Please refer to Exhibit A for one of those exchanges via the United States 

  
  Postal Service. We receive telephone calls and correspondence daily from concerned taxpayers and their accounts. Sharp Collections, Inc. is very sensitive to each individual taxpayer's circumstances and Ms. ***** herself has benefited from this when collection fees on her 2021 delinquent school per capita tax were waived when she called our office in July of this year. A breakdown of her account was mailed to her 7/13/2022 at no additional charge. 

  
  Our office accepts various types of payment arrangements and has extended this same offer to Ms. *****. On several occasions, we have advised her that our office requires payment every thirty days to avoid further collection actions, which may include a wage garnishment. Prior to issuing a garnishment, a letter is sent certified mail. Ms. *****'s certified letter was claimed on 1/19/2022. Please refer to Exhibit B for an email response from Ms. ***** after receiving this notice. A garnishment was issued to her employer on 10/6/2022. The last payment made on her account was 8/26/2022. After the garnishment was issued, she contacted our office on 10/17 and 10/19. Ms. ***** made the same allegations as previously mentioned and requested the corporate office information in Butler so that she could file a grievance. She was again advised that we have only one office location in Sharpsville and reiterated that we are not associated with any other tax collection agency in Butler. It was after this final conversation that she filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. 

  
  Because of her acknowledgement of unpaid per capita taxes and because we have clearly operated in accordance with Pennsylvania Law and within the guidelines of the adopted resolution regarding the collection of her Delinquent Per Capita Taxes, the garnishment issued by our company will stay in place until Ms. *****'s account is paid in full. 

  
  Respectfully, 
  

  
  R. *. K*****, President Sharp Collections, Inc. 
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  07/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I sold my house over a year ago. Due to the moving around and not having a permanent house I never received any notice that was claimed to be sent. I received notice yesterday 7/5/22. Called today asking for the fees to be reduced or removed because I didn’t receive notice. When discussing the fees, the supervisor said I will not discuss this further and hung up twice. I have called back multiple times with no answer. I am wanted to pay the taxes I owe but the fees double the amount because I just received notice.

  Business response

  07/18/2022

  July 18, 2022
  
  Better Business Bureau
  Serving Western Pennsylvania
  520 E. Main St.  Suite 100
  Carnegie, PA  15106
  *****  ********* ****
  
  Re:  ***** ********* ** *********
  **** *** *****
  
  I am writing in response to your email dated July 6, 2022 regarding the complaint filed by *** ***** *********
  
  Sharp Collections, Inc. is a Municipal Tax Collection Agency retained by several municipalities and taxing authorities in Western Pennsylvania to collect Delinquent Per Capita Tax – including the City of Sharon, Sharon City Schools, and Mercer County for the account referenced in this complaint. Per Capita tax is defined as a tax levied by a taxing authority to everyone over seventeen years of age residing in their jurisdiction, regardless of income, property ownership, or school attendance. Our Office follows the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Taxation Manual under the Local Tax Enabling Act of December 31, 1965 P.L. 1257, No. 511. Each year, our office receives a list from the elected tax collectors of residents who have failed to pay their Per Capita Tax for the previous tax year.
  
  *** ******** has been turned over to our office for failing to pay Per Capita Taxes owed to City of Sharon, Sharon City Schools, and Mercer County for the tax years 2000, 2013, 2017, 2020 and 2021. Tax years 2000, 2013, and 2017 were previously paid to our office. *** ******** had a previous delinquent per capita tax account at our office for the City of Hermitage for tax years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008, which has a zero balance. He has received numerous delinquent notices from our office since initially being turned over for collection, beginning 4/3/2001 and continuing through 6/7/2022. *** ******** has previously recognized that he owed the delinquent tax, plus penalty as provided by statute, as evidenced by the tax years 2000, 2013, 2017 (City of Sharon) and 2004 (City of Hermitage) being paid in full. Additionally, he has provided proof to our office that tax years 2005, 2006 and 2008 were paid to the City of Sharon, and therefore were not due to the City of Hermitage.  *** ******** is familiar with per capita taxes (both current and delinquent). He is aware of our office and has the understanding that we are a collection agency that assesses collection fees as part of the service provided to our clients. Section 53 P.S. § 6924.707(b) of the Taxation Manual states that reasonable costs for per capita taxes may be charged against a delinquent taxpayer, and can be assessed, levied and collected for five years from the last day of the calendar year in which the tax was due.  This also applies to other minimal taxes, including occupation, occupational privilege, and local services taxes.  The purpose behind this limitation is clearly to prevent the costs being charged to a delinquent taxpayer from dwarfing the relatively small tax imposed. In *** ********’s case, he was assessed costs in the amount of $45.00 for 2020 and $15.00 for 2021, within the statutes of the referenced section. The costs imposed were done in accordance with Pennsylvania law.
  
  In his complaint, *** ******** alleges that he moved, sold his house and never received prior notices. A total of three notices have been mailed since 3/22/2021. Our office pays for returned mail and forwarding address service. None of the notices were returned or forwarded until 6/30/2022, when we received notification from the United States Postal Service of *** ********’s change in address to his current address listed on this complaint.
  
  We receive telephone calls and correspondence daily from concerned taxpayers and their accounts. Sharp Collections, Inc. is very sensitive to each individual taxpayer’s circumstances and offers various types of payment arrangements. Our office exercises the option of negotiating our costs depending on the situation that has been presented. *** ******** has himself benefited from this in the past when I lowered fees on his City of Hermitage account in 2018 and went to extraordinary measures to aid him in determining his per capita tax was paid to the city of Sharon. When he called our office on 7/6/2022, after explanation was given and his account reviewed with him, he argued about our fees and kept requesting a reduction. After speaking to our office four times, it was evident that he was not accepting the fact that there would not be any negotiation of costs. Because of his prior knowledge of per capita taxes (current and delinquent) and because we have clearly operated in accordance with Pennsylvania Law and within the guidelines of the adopted resolution regarding the collection of her Delinquent Per Capita Taxes, the costs incurred and the amount due are true and correct.
  
  
  Respectfully,
  
  
  
  Rochelle L. K****** *resident
  Sharp Collections, Inc.
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  04/27/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My sewage bill was sent to sharps collection $638.00. Now the only notice was posted on my landlords door but never the address that was supposed to be shut off. When I contacted them and told them they shut off my landlords sewage and water which was there mistake, they said they were coming back to turn his on and mine off, I told them April 19th 2022 I would make a payment that following Friday. I live on ssi and ssd and was not able to make the payment, 5 days later they came and shut me off without posting any kind of notice on my dwellings. I would like my sewage to be turned back on and given a proper notice and not given 5 days to come up with over $600.

  Business response

  04/28/2022

  April 28, 2022
  
  Better Business Bureau
  Serving Western Pennsylvania
  520 E. Main St.  Suite 100
  Carnegie, PA  15106
  ***** ********* ****
  
  RE:  ********* ******* ** *********
  
  **** *** *****
  
  I am writing in response to your email dated April 27, 2022 regarding the complaint filed by ********* *******
  
  Sharp Collections, Inc. is a Municipal Collection Agency retained by several municipalities and taxing authorities in Western Pennsylvania to collect Delinquent Municipal Debt, which includes unpaid sewer billings. Our office has been retained by Hopewell Township to collect such fees. Our office follows the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Taxation Manual under the Local Tax Enabling Act and other applicable laws in the Pennsylvania Municipal Code. Sharp Collections’ cost must be reasonable and related to the cost of collection. Our procedures for water termination must follow PUC guidelines and the guidelines outlined by the water supplier, which in this case, is Creswell Heights Joint Authority located in Beaver County.
  
  *** ******** delinquent sewer account was first turned over to our office in 2021, with billing dates beginning 9/1/2020. As per our sewage collection procedures, the first notice was mailed to her on 3/26/2021 with the appropriate interest and penalty added to the account. This interest and penalty is charged by the municipality and calculated by our office once the account becomes delinquent. No payments were made and the property was posted for water termination on 4/28/2021. She called 5/3/2021 and paid the account in full in order to avoid the scheduled termination. For billings after 11/30/2020, *** ****** made a payment agreement with Hopewell Township, under the stipulation that, if the agreement was not maintained, those billings would again be turned over to our office for collection.
  
  *** ****** did not maintain the agreement, therefore her unpaid sewer billings for 3/1/2021 through 11/21/2021 were sent to Sharp Collections, Inc. A notice was mailed 3/4/2022.  On 3/8/2022, *** ****** called and informed our office she was applying for relief assistance and wanted verification of the balance. Our office informed her that the owner of the property is the responsible party and she would need to discuss that with him. At that time, she asked about a payment arrangement. She was informed that payments were acceptable and that balance would need to be below $100.00 in order to avoid being posted for water termination in April. No payments were made and a courtesy call was made on 4/14/22 regarding impending termination scheduled for 4/19/2022. The owner of the property (allegedly *** ******** father, who lives in the front of the property) was aware of the termination notice and was informed that he is ultimately the responsible party and that the rear of the building would have water service terminated if not paid in full. Both *** ****** and Mr. P****** voiced that they understood. *** ****** notified our office that she would be calling on 4/22/2022 to pay off the account.
  
  On 4/26/2022, Creswell Heights Joint Authority contacted our office, inquiring if balance was paid. Since total amount was still due, they scheduled termination for 4/27/2022. On 4/27/2022, *** ****** called our office. She was informed that water was scheduled to be terminated due to not keeping her payment arrangement with Hopewell Township and not making payments to our office as discussed with her on 3/8/2022. She reportedly had a check to remit to our office. We declined to accept a check as payment because of past history of providing incorrect payment information to Hopewell Township and because once service is terminated, payment must be in the form of a money order or debit/credit card. *** ****** was displeased with our response and hung up on our representative. *** ******** husband called back to apologize and reported that they were going to seek assistance from local agencies. They were also referred to Beaver County Community Development Program and encouraged to apply for the ERAP program.
  
  We receive communication daily from concerned taxpayers and customers that have accounts at our office. Sharp Collections, Inc. has always been very sensitive to individual circumstances and offers a variety of payment arrangements. This has been especially true during COVID-19. Collection actions (i.e. water service terminations) are final efforts to satisfy any outstanding balances. All actions to collect unpaid sewer bills have been conducted by Sharp Collections, Inc. in strict compliance with Pennsylvania Law and applicable ordinances. We will continue to do our due diligence and follow the law and proper procedure as it applies in the future. *** ******** water service will remain terminated until her past due balance is paid in full at our office.
  
  
  Respectfully,
  
  Rochelle *. K*****, *********
  Sharp Collections, Inc.
  

• Initial Complaint

  01/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My complaint is against a collection agency. They have, since 2020, refused to negotiate or work with me in the resolution of a bill. They have changed their terms, added fees, argued and at one point hung up on me. They are rude, uncooperative and extremely unprofessional. Their lack of cooperation and refusal to accept payments has resulted in my water being shut off. I am disabled with limited resources and this situation has caused considerable hardship for myself and my young daughter. A large portion of the balance has been in dispute with original biller which they have been made fully aware of and they have expressed indifference. I can not and should not have to communicate any further with this company as it is impossible and infuriating.

  Business response

  01/27/2022

  January 27, 2022
  

  ****** ******** ****** ******* ******* ************ *** ** **** ***  ***** *** ********* **  *****
  
  RE:  ****** ********* ** *********
  I am writing in response to your email dated January 16, 2022 regarding the complaint filed by ****** *********
  Sharp Collections, Inc. is a Municipal Collection Agency retained by several municipalities and taxing authorities in Western Pennsylvania to collect Delinquent Municipal Debt, which includes unpaid sewer billings. Our office has been retained by Hopewell Township to collect such fees. Our office follows the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Taxation Manual under the Local Tax Enabling Act and other applicable laws in the Pennsylvania Municipal Code. Sharp Collections’ cost must be reasonable and related to the cost of collection. Our procedures for water termination must follow PUC guidelines and the guidelines outlined by the water supplier, which in this case, is Creswell Heights Joint Authority located in Beaver County.
  
  *** ********** delinquent sewer account was first turned over to our office in 2019, with billing dates beginning 12/1/2018. As per our sewage collection procedures, the first notice was mailed to her on 7/15/2019 with the appropriate interest and penalty added to the account. This interest and penalty is charged by the municipality and calculated by our office once the account becomes delinquent. *** ******** contacted our office on 8/15/2019, and the total balance due at that time was paid 8/20/2019. *** ******** kept current with Hopewell Township, and the next delinquent billing received was in 2020, starting with billing date 9/1/2019. Her account has been turned over for every billing since, ending with billing date 8/31/2021. From the period of 2/27/2020 through 12/3/2021, a total of twelve notices were mailed to *** ******** and her property posted for water termination three times. The first time her property was posted for termination occurred just prior to the COVID-19 shut-down (3/6/2020). Due to the pandemic, our office was not permitted to pursue termination of her water services; however, reminder notices continued to be mailed to her.
  
  Beginning in September 2020, *** ******** began contacting Hopewell Township regarding the notices she had received from our office. Rather than paying the due balance to Sharp Collections, Inc., she attempted to pay the township directly, stating to them on numerous occasions that she did not want to deal with a collection agency. The last phone call our office received from *** ******** prior to the situation she is addressing in this current complaint was 10/21/2020. During that call, *** ******** clearly stated she did not want to pay our fees and was hostile to our representative. An online payment was made by *** ******** 10/23/2020 that did not include our collection fees. No further payment has been made on her account since. Eight of the twelve notices previously mentioned were mailed after that date. *** ******** did not contact our office again until 12/21/2021, when the notice of scheduled termination was posted on her property. 
  
  Her statement that our office has refused to work with her prior to the water termination is incorrect. 
  
  She made no contact with our office between 10/21/2020 until 12/21/2021 to discuss any sort of payment plan or negotiation. Once the property is posted for termination, the balance (including fees) must be paid in full prior to the scheduled termination date. A courtesy call was made on 1/6/2022 to inform *** ******** that water services would be terminated on 1/11/2022 if the balance on her account was not paid in full. She called our office three times (1/6; 1/10; and1/11) stating that we were refusing to work with her; that our representative was “rude and should be fired”; that she was “taking us to court”; and that our office refused to take her payments. More than one of our representatives explained the termination procedure and informed her repeatedly that the opportunity for payment arrangements had passed. She was encouraged to contact local agencies to request assistance with paying the amount due our office. Names of those agencies were provided.
  
  *** ******** has also stated in her complaint that our office was indifferent to her claims that the sewage amounts were in dispute with the original biller. On 11/17/2021, Hopewell Township notified our office of *** ********** claims, and that she was refusing to pay current billings to the township as the consumption seemed too high. Creswell Heights Joint Authority reportedly checked *** ********** property for leaks and notified Hopewell Township that none were found. Sharp Collections, Inc. continued to pursue collection of the balance due.
  

  We receive communication daily from concerned taxpayers and customers that have accounts at our office. Sharp Collections, Inc. has always been very sensitive to individual circumstances and offers a variety of payment arrangements. This has been especially true during COVID-19. Collection actions (i.e. water service terminations) are final efforts to satisfy any outstanding balances. All actions to collect unpaid sewer bills have been conducted by Sharp Collections, Inc. in strict compliance with Pennsylvania Law and applicable ordinances. We will continue to do our due diligence and follow the law and proper procedure as it applies in the future. If *** ******** does not wish to have to communicate with our office, our suggestion would be to remain current with Hopewell Township.
  
  
  Respectfully,
  Rochelle ** K*****, President
  Sharp Collections, Inc.

   

   

  Customer response

  01/28/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]
  
  I am in receipt of the business response and found it was as expected.  They have not acknowledged their unprofessionalism and facts regarding the issue. I do not recall any issues prior to October of 2020. There was a balance owed at that time. I contacted them to make payment arrangements and resolve. I had noticed they added an exorbitant amount of fees that I disagreed with. It was agreed that I would make the payment by a certain date and they would wave these fees. I called their office on that date to make the payment. I made repeated calls to them that day and got an answering machine. There was no way to leave a message or contact anyone. I tried the following day and explained what had happened and made another attempt to make a payment. They denied that there was an answering machine, basically calling me a liar, then added the fees back to the total and demanded full payment immediately. Their agent was rude, disrespectful and refused to work with me. In other words, I was responsible for the fact that they were not answering their phones that day. I have acquired my phone records for that time to show full details of number of calls, date and time the calls were made. Phone records don’t lie. I was very frustrated at the end of that call and had no further interest in dealing with them or being spoken to in that way. I continued to try and work with the original biller, Hopewell Twp. Sewer Dept. I received no other notices from Sharp collections until 2021 when I had another issue with the sewer company. I was overcharged by our water company which resulted in my sewer bill being more than doubled. This amount was disputed with the water company and to this day is still in dispute. During this dispute, theses charges were sent to Sharp. I reluctantly contacted Sharp Collections and explained the situation and respectfully requested that any action by them be delayed until this dispute has been resolved, most likely in a court of law. Once again, I was treated disrespectfully, rudely and the situation and request was ignored. At that point, I was hung up on. They proceeded to send a water shut off notice and I once again contacted them to make some type of payment arrangement which was rudely denied and they demanded full payment of over $600. This was not a possibility at the time as I am disabled and on a very limited budget. I explained the hardship this would cause and was completely disregarded. They added yet MORE fees and proceeded to shut off my water on January 11, 2022. I have been overcharged with fees and payment fees and have been placed at the mercy of a company that has obviously been trained to disregard people and circumstances. Unfortunately, because the PUC does not regulate most water companies, they feel they can place impossible demands on people of which consumers have absolutely NO recourse. Sharp Collections is a horrible company and there is absolutely NO excuse for their rude, ignorant behavior!!!

  
  

  
  

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

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