ComplaintsforHeights Finance

• Initial Complaint

  04/04/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 3/17/2021 I paid a settlement to Covington Credit for $600 to fully settle an account. I was promised within 30 dats my credit report would be updated to the account settled in full. However, today I pulled my Experian Credit report and it still shows a balance of $684 and 120 days past due. This is very damaging to my reputation and I believe represents a bait and switch scam by Covington credit. Please have Covington credit completely remove this negative report from my credit. Please ensure negative report has been removed from all 3 credit bureaus.

  Business response

  05/09/2022

  April 5, 2022
  
  ******* *******
  Via BBB Online Portal
  
  
  Re: BBB ID #********
  
  
  Dear Mr. *******:
  This letter is in response to your complaint submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”)
  received by Southern Management Corporation (“Southern Finance”), dba Covington Credit on
  April 4, 2022.
  
  You obtained a loan from our ****** office in Texas on January 29, 2020, in the amount of
  $1,076.44 and agreed to repay it in (11) monthly installments of $150.00 beginning February 29,
  2020. Our records indicate this account was Paid in full for less than the full balance on March
  17, 2021.
  
  In your complaint, you state this account was settled on March 17, 2021. Additionally, you
  understood the credit report would update to reflect settled in full within 30 days of the
  settlement. Our records confirm this account was Paid in full for less than the full balance on
  March 17, 2021. Southern Finance is reporting this account to the credit bureaus with the status
  of Paid in Full for less than the full balance. Due to Experian reporting this account as 120 days
  past due with a balance of $684, as stated in your complaint, Southern Finance has submitted a
  request to Experian to update their reporting to reflect this account as Paid in Full for less than
  the full balance.
  
  After a thorough investigation, it has been determined that Southern Finance is reporting this
  account fully and accurately. We have submitted a request to Experian to update their reporting
  of this account. Please allow 1-2 business days for this to reflect on your credit report. Future
  disputes regarding the reporting of this account should be directed to the offending bureau. Our
  company has not violated any state or federal laws. We furnish all credit information fully and
  accurately to the credit reporting agencies.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  Katherine B*****
  Director of Compliance
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  03/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This is a formal complaint against SOUTHERN FINANCE located **** ***** ****** RD STE *******, GA 30906. This company has repeatedly violated my consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and has caused me much unnecessary financial AND mental distress. For starters, they're reporting an erroneous & unverifiable account on my credit report and not to mention an account in which I've asked for proof of claim and in which they have not been able to provide, per the FCRA. Despite my efforts to resolve this unfortunate nightmare for several months now, SOUTHERN FINANCE has completely ignored my communications and legal submissions to remove this inaccurate information from my credit report.

  Business response

  04/01/2022

  
  March 8, 2022
  
  ******* ******
  Via BBB Online Portal
  
  
  Re: BBB ID #********
  
  
  Dear Mr. ******:
  
  This letter is in response to your complaint submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”)
  received by Southern Management Corporation (“Southern Finance”) on February 23, 2022.
  
  You obtained a loan from our Augusta office in Georgia on March 28, 2016, in the amount of
  $569.92 and agreed to repay it in (8) monthly installments of $90.00 beginning April 28, 2016.
  Our records indicate this account was charged off on February 28, 2017, due to non-payment,
  and subsequently placed for collections on February 8, 2022.
  
  In your complaint, you state Southern Finance is reporting an erroneous and unverified account
  on your credit report. Enclosed is a copy of the cashed check in the amount of $569.92. When
  you cashed this check, you acknowledged the loan and your intent to repay. Additionally, you
  state you have requested this information for several months without a response. Our records
  indicate that you submitted two disputes to the credit bureaus. These were not direct disputes
  with Southern Finance. The indirect disputes were received on February 23, 2022, and February
  24, 2022. Each dispute will be responded to within 30 days of the receipt date. No additional
  correspondence has been received. This account was placed with ****** for collections on
  February 8, 2022. You may contact ****** at 1-888-********, if you would like to discuss
  payment options.
  
  After a thorough investigation, it appears our company has not violated any state or federal laws.
  We furnish all credit information fully and accurately to the credit reporting agencies and
  accordingly, we will not grant your request to remove accurate data. If you disagree with any
  information contained in your credit report regarding your account with our company, please
  submit the details of your dispute to the address given below. Those required details are to (1)
  identify any specific information that you dispute; (2) explain a basis for any dispute; and (3)
  include any supporting documentation to substantiate any dispute
  
  Once we receive this information, we will open an investigation and supply you with copies of any
  additional documentation you request.
  
  
  
  Please submit the requested information to the address below:
  
  Compliance: Direct Disputes
  Southern Management Corporation
  Post Office Box ****
  Greenville, SC 29602
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  Katherine B*****
  Senior Compliance Manager
  Date: March 2, 2022 Branch Banking and Trust Page 1 of 1
  
  Reference: ********************************************
  
  
  Date ******** Account Number ****************
  Amount 00000***** ***** *
  Serial Number ********** Transaction Link ******************

• Initial Complaint

  02/18/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  January 13th, 2022 covington credit asked if I wanted to refinance my existing / current loan that I already had open & almost paid in full. I had one payment left to make. They sent the paper work electronically which I signed & agreed, provided current check stubs, & my bank information for direct deposit. I was told over the phone that if I submitted the forms that same day that the new loan funds would be available the next day via direct deposit. Two times the week of January 17th thru 21st, I notified them that I had never received funds and what the status of the new loan was. They representative told me that she would submit a ticket request to investigate. The following week on January 28th I notified them again that I still did not receive any funds. The representative told me that she was going to submit a ticket request....I told her that I thought that was already done the previous week like it was mentioned to me? She said she had to do another one. The following week of January 31st to February 4th I noticed on my credit report notification that changes were made on my report. Covington Credit closed my previous account / re-opened a new loan account that dropped my credit score significantly by 76 points. I called them and told them AGAIN that I never received funds in my account and that I had proof of that with my bank statements showing no deposits were ever made. The next day Covington Credit said that the funds were deposited in a ******* *** bank account. I told them that I have never banked with them. I bank with **** **** Credit Union. Then they tried to tell me that "Well you entered the wrong information" I told them what are the odds that in any case if entered wrong how would I be able to enter an active account with a bank i know nothing of. They gave me a number to headquarters, I called, and as of today still no response or corrections. Now they are calling me stating I owe a payment on the new loan that I never got.

  Business response

  02/22/2022

  Please see the attached response.

  Business response

  03/18/2022

  February 22, 2022
  
  ****** ******
  Via BBB Online Portal
  
  
  Re: BBB ID #********
  
  
  Dear Mr. ******:
  
  This letter is in response to your complaint submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”)
  received by Southern Management Corporation (“Southern Finance”), dba Covington Credit of
  Texas, Inc., on February 18, 2022.
  
  You obtained a loan from our Corpus Christi office in Texas on January 13, 2022, in the amount
  of $610.29, which includes an electronic cash advance of $511.24, and agreed to repay it in (9)
  monthly installments of $99.00 beginning February 13, 2022.
  
  In your complaint, you state you completed an electronic refinance resulting in this account. At
  that time, you were notified the funds would be direct deposited the following day into the
  account you provided at the time of the refinance, however the funds have yet to be received.
  The funds in the amount of $511.24, were transmitted to the account that was entered at the time
  of this electronic refinance. These funds were received by **** ******* Credit Union, account
  ending in ****. The Southern Finance Treasury Department has issued a recall of these funds. If
  these funds are not returned, Southern Finance will void the loan and submit a request to all three
  Credit Reporting Agencies to have this loan removed from your credit report. The bank can take
  up to three weeks to complete this process. In the meantime, to expedite this process of funds
  retrieval, you can provide the trace number of ***************, to **** ******* Credit Union
  to locate the funds while the recall case is pending. Additionally, you state that you are receiving
  collection calls for payment now due on this account. The branch has been instructed to cease
  and desist communication on this account, while the transfer of funds is being investigated.
  
  After a thorough investigation, it has been determined that the funds in the amount of $511.24,
  were transmitted to an account with **** ******* Credit Union, that was provided at the time of
  the refinance. Due to the incorrect account receiving these funds, a recall of funds has been
  submitted. A cease and desist has been placed on the loan in question, while this transfer of
  funds is being investigated.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  
  
  Katherine B*****
  Senior Compliance Manager

• Initial Complaint

  01/24/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have this business showing as a collection. I called to make arrangements to pay them and they said they had no record of an account for me. They asked for my address, phone number, social security number and birth date; I provided all of that information to them and they said the representative I spoke with said they had no accounts or anything under that information. As of 1/21/22 they reported my account as a charge-off which is severely impacting my credit.

  Business response

  02/02/2022

  January 25, 2022
  
  ****** ********
  Via BBB Online Portal
  
  
  Re: BBB ID #********
  
  
  Dear Mr./Ms. ********:
  
  This letter is in response to your complaint submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”)
  received by Southern Management Corporation (“Southern Finance”) dba Covington Credit of
  Texas, Inc. on January 24, 2022.
  
  You obtained a loan from our ******** office in Texas on May 27, 2021, in the amount of
  $604.15 and agreed to repay it in (9) monthly installments of $98.00 beginning June 27, 2021.
  Our records indicate this account has been charged off on December 2, 2021, due to non-
  payment.
  
  In your complaint, you state that you would like to make arrangements to pay on this account,
  however when attempting to do so, the account could not be located. Our records indicate that on
  December 8, 2021, you spoke with the branch and received a settlement offer in the amount of
  $564.00, which was good for 30 days. At this time, you stated you received a letter in the mail
  indicating that you could settle for 30%. The branch requested you provide a copy of this letter.
  Our records show no further contact with the branch. Your account number is ****, which
  would be listed on the above mentioned letter.
  
  After a thorough investigation, it appears that contact was made regarding settling this account
  on December 8, 2021. It has been determined that your account is reporting accurately. Southern
  Finance denies that it is furnishing inaccurate account date. It appears that our company has not
  violated any federal or state laws. If you would like to negotiate, settle or create a payment
  schedule, please reach out to your local branch at 1-956********* for assistance or by contacting
  our Customer Advocacy Team at 1-866-********.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  Katherine B*****
  Senior Compliance Manager

• Initial Complaint

  01/18/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I want $870 remove from credit report please due to me being on ssi disability . The limit is 6 years and it has been 5 years and 1 month so I not allow to pay unless I want to add another 6 years to that

  Customer response

  02/07/2022

  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. 
  
  It will. Be  pass  the  law of  me cause I'm on ssi next July

  Cause 6 years  is the limit. Can I make $5 to 15 a 

  Month  until it paid????
  
  Regards,
  
  **** ***

  Business response

  02/11/2022

  January 19, 2022
  
  **** ***
  Via BBB Online Portal
  
  
  Re: BBB ID #********
  
  
  Dear Mr. Nye:
  
  This letter is in response to your complaint submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”)
  received by Southern Management Corporation (“Southern Finance”) on January 17, 2022.
  
  We have searched our records using the name and address provided but were unable to identify
  the specific account or account holder.
  
  If you will send us your full social security number, if available, the full account number, and the
  details of your complaint, we will respond accordingly.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Katherine B*****
  Senior Compliance Manager

  Business response

  02/11/2022

  February 7, 2022
  
  **** ***
  Via BBB Online Portal
  
  
  Re: BBB ID #********
  
  
  Dear Mr. ***:
  
  This letter is in response to your complaint submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) received by
  Southern Management Corporation (“Southern Finance”), dba Covington Credit on February 7, 2022.
  
  You obtained a loan from our ******** **** office in Tennessee on November 26, 2016, in the amount
  of $609.13 and agreed to repay it in (10) monthly installments of $87.00 beginning January 1, 2017. Our
  records indicate this account was charged off on July 11, 2017, due to non-payment.
  
  In your complaint, you state that this account is past the statute of limitations and have requested this be
  deleted from your credit report. Southern Finance will continue to report an account for seven years from
  the date of first delinquency.
  
  After a thorough investigation, it appears our company has not violated any state or federal laws. We furnish
  all credit information fully and accurately to the credit reporting agencies and accordingly, we will not grant
  your request to remove accurate data. If you disagree with any information contained in your credit report
  regarding your account with our company, please submit the details of your dispute to the address given
  below. Those required details are to (1) identify any specific information that you dispute; (2) explain a
  basis for any dispute; and (3) include any supporting documentation to substantiate any dispute
  
  Once we receive this information, we will open an investigation and supply you with copies of any
  additional documentation you request.
  
  Please submit the requested information to the address below:
  
  Compliance: Direct Disputes
  Southern Management Corporation
  Post Office Box ****
  Greenville, SC 29602
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Katherine B*****
  Senior Compliance Manager

• Initial Complaint

  11/12/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have sent multiple certified mail letters asking for validation and the method of how they validated multiple fraudulent and questionable items on my credit report and have not received back anything in over 35 days for these accounts that are clearly inaccurate and fraudulent accounts. This creditor is disregarding the law and taking advantage of me and this has caused big stress on my life. The most recent certified letter I sent was 10/05/2021. The attached file is the letter and FTC I sent to them. I DEMAND that all the items are deleted and if action is not taken I will sue in small claims court in my city and the company will have to come and represent themselves.

  Business response

  11/24/2021

  November 12, 2021
  
  ******** ******
  Via BBB Online Portal
  
  Re: BBB ID #********
  
  Dear Ms. ******:
  
  This letter is in response to your complaint submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”)
  received by Southern Management Corporation (“Southern Finance”) on November 11, 2021.
  
  In your complaint, you state that you have sent letters by certified mail, in which were never
  responded to, specifically the letter dated 10/05/2021. This letter was received and responded to
  on October 20, 2021. In this letter dated 10/05/2021, it states that you are a victim of identity
  theft, and you also provided the Identity Theft Victim’s Affidavit. This claim was investigated
  and denied. A copy of this letter is attached.
  
  After a thorough investigation, it has been determined that the letter in question was responded to
  and that your claim was denied.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  
  Katherine B*****
  Senior Compliance Manager

• Initial Complaint

  11/11/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company made an unauthorized charge to my bank account and when I called to get the issue corrected because it out my account in an overdraft they said it was my fault and they wouldn't do anything about it. I also can't remove personal info from their website so it can't happen in the future

  Business response

  11/24/2021

  November 11, 2021
  
  ******* *****
  Via BBB Online Portal
  
  Re: BBB ID #********
  
  
  Dear Ms. *****:
  
  This letter is in response to your complaint submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”)
  received by Heights Finance Corporation (“Heights”) on November 10, 2021.
  
  You obtained a loan from our **** ****** office in Missouri on May 25, 2021, in the amount of
  $1,471.94 and agreed to repay it in (37) monthly installments of $87.00 beginning June 25, 2021.
  Our records indicate this account is due on November 25, 2021.
  
  In your complaint, you state Heights made an unauthorized charge to your bank, causing an
  overdraft. Our records indicate on November 2, 2021, a one-time online payment in the amount
  of $87.00 was applied to your account. This transaction was initiated on November 1, 2021, via
  your online account, which the branch does not have access. Our records do not show this as a
  recurring payment method, as each payment applied to this account has been online via a one-
  time payment option. Additionally, you state you called the branch informing them of this
  unauthorized charge but were informed this was your fault and the branch would not do anything
  to correct this. As previously mentioned, this payment was initiated via your online account,
  which the branch has no access. The District Manager reached out to you regarding this matter
  on November 8, 2021, and again on November 10, 2021, at which time he confirmed this
  payment was not made at the branch, but via the online portal. The District Manager requested
  you provide a copy of your bank statement to show where this payment did not clear, thus
  causing NSF fees. Lastly, you state that you are unable to remove your personal information
  from the website to prevent this from occurring in the future. To ensure that you have not
  inadvertently changed this to a recurring payment method, log into your account and review the
  option you last chose. If you inadvertently changed this to a recurring payment method, you can
  remove this option via your online account.
  
  After a thorough investigation, it has been determined that the payment is question was initiated
  via the online account, therefore was an authorized transaction. Heights has not violated any state
  or federal laws.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Katherine B*****
  Senior Compliance Manager

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