ComplaintsforThe Stark Agency

• Initial Complaint

  08/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  RE: Veridian credit union Fraud Balance ******** RE: ********************* Fraud Balance ****** This complaint is against THE STARK AGENCY,COLLECTION COMPANY. CEASE AND DESIST SENDING BILLING STATEMENTS.CEASE AND DESIST CALLING ME VIA TELEPHONE, OR THREW RELATIVES,EMPLOYMENT. CEASE AND DESIST ALL COLLECTION EFFORTS EFFECTIVE DATE 08/15/2024 YOU DO HAS PERMISSION TO RESPOND THREW BBB.ORG FOR FINAL RESOLUTION. YOUR ACTIONS ARE UNWANTED, UNWELCOME, AND HAVE BECOME UNBEARABLE TO ME. YOUR ACTIONS ALSO INFRINGE UPON MY RIGHT TO REMAIN FREE FROM HARASSMENT AS A RESULT OF YOU'RE HARASSMENT AND DEMANDING MY CREDIT I HAVE SUFFERED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: * PHYSICAL HARM OR INJURY * SUBSTANTIAL HARM TO MY CREDIT FILES AND CREDIT SCORES * ACTUAL MONETARY DAMAGES *STATUTORY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES OVER **************. * ATTORNEY RECOVERY FEES/COSTS * SUBSTANTIAL HARM TO MY PERSONAL CHARACTER * EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND PAIN IN SUFFERING * CREDIT BUREAU DAMAGES * REPEATED DISPUTED VERIDIAN CREDIT UNION ACCOUNTS AS FRAUD AND YOU FAILED AND THIS LETTER IS TO INFORM YOU TO CORRECT YOUR'E RECORDS AND FOLLOW THE CEASE AND DESIST DEMANDS EFFECTIVE DATE 08/15/2024 AND REMOVE COLLECTION ACCOUNT AND CLOSED FILE AND RETURN FRAUD ACCOUNT TO ORIGINAL CREDITOR DUE TO FRAUD & DELETE COLLECTION ACCOUNT FROM ALL CREDIT BUREAUS WITHIN 30 DAYS Cease and Desist all collection activity including reporting/adding collection account on any credit agencies effective date 8/15/2024 I WILL NOT BE COOROPERATING WITH THIS COLLECTION AGENCY ON ANY COLLECTION EFFORTS DUE TO BOTH COLLECTION BALANCE WERE RESORTED DUE TO FRAUD.THIS COLLECTION COMPANY MUST SEND BACK BOTH COLLECTION BALANCES BACK TO VERDIAN CU AND REMOVE BOTH ACCOUNTS FROM TRANSUNION EQUIFAX EXPERIAN BY NO LATER THAN DATE 9/15/2024 OR FACE HEAVY LEGAL MONETARY CIVIL SUIT

  

  Business response

  08/20/2024

  Upon receiving this complaint from *******************, I reached out to our creditor/client ********************* (VCU).  ***** opened a checking and savings account with VCU in 2022.  See attached Membership Application.  ***** did a mobile deposit of an $1800 check on 2/28/24.  He withdrew the funds that day. That check that he deposited was a fraudulent check. VCU informed ***** of the fraudulent check and asked him to return the funds and he has not done so.  VCU referred the matter to this office for recovery on 5/6/24.  ***** should call this office at ************ and an agent can assist him.  The total amount owed for the overdraft on his account is $2161.60.  *****************************, President

  Customer response

  08/20/2024

  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.
  
  
  I am requesting this bogus collection agency to cease and desist all collection effort attempts in my name effective 08/20/2024

  i will sue the stark collection agency for civil monetary damages to exceed 100,000,00  for their violations such I seek an attorney to sue this collection agency if both collection accounts or not deleted on my credit reports

  by 09/20/2024  cease and desist.

• Initial Complaint

  06/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  The Stark Collection Agency has contacted me with a debt on behalf of ***, I have disputed the debt in writing as I had cancelled the *** contract prior to the renewal date. But was still charged by *** for the next months service. I was expecting a proper reply from Stark after disputing the debt, but they have not sent me any details documenting how the charge was valid. Instead they sent a newly created invoice, that states my original balance was 0, but changed to 97$ due to a chargeback, from me disputing the nexts months charges through the bank and *** failing to provide reasonable circumstances to the bank, as to why I had to pay, even though they were given 60 days, and my cancellation of their service was clearly before the auto renewal date.

  

  Business response

  07/01/2024

  We apologize for the frustration.  TDS advises customers when they order service that monthly charges are not prorated. When we talked to *****, we also informed him of that policy. ***** called TDS to disconnect service after the renewal date thus incurred a months' charge. TDS does tell customers to visit their website at ***************************************************** for all Terms and Conditions.  TDS appreciates *****'s business and is sorry for the misunderstanding.  They have authorized us to offer ***** a settlement of $77.73 which is a 20% discount.   ***** should call this office at ************ and an agent can assist with resolution. 

  I have attached the last four bill copies for review.

  *****************************, President

   

  Customer response

  07/01/2024

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

  The stark collection agency has now provided enough documentation for the disputed debt and I will finish handling it with them.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******************* **********

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  04/23/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I had no idea I owed TDS Telecom anything until I tried getting Internet at my home so that my son can go back to school online. I called tds, they were unable to give me an account number or anything at all. I was told I owe almost $700 from 2019. My address *******************************************************. I'm unable to get anything from TDS in regards to an account in my name. They told me Stark Agency holds my account, but they told me I can pay them instead of Stark agency. I'm confused. It's been 5 years according to their 'records'. Yet, they are not able to send anything to me. I have no grounds to stand on, because It was so long ago. All they said this morning was to send them almost $700.

  

  Business response

  04/24/2024

  
  ******* phoned TDS around 3/4/19 to establish service. Service was set up and used by ******* and her household. ******* never made one payment on the account even though TDS sent her a monthly bill to ********************* ME.   According to TDS policy they remove past due and unpaid charges from the current bill and referred that unpaid amount to this agency for collections. Because no payments were ever made, TDS removed unpaid charges three times and then because of non-payment, they disconnected service.   TDS sent ******* monthly bills eleven times before disconnection.  We sent ******* 6 collection notices to the same address between July 2019 and February of 2021. We never received a reply on those notices.  We also tried reaching ******* by phone without success and she did not return calls.  Attached are the 3 bill copies showing the unpaid amount that was removed from each bill.  The total due is $684.71. ******* is encouraged to call this office at ************ and an agent can assist her with setting up a payment plan that fits in her budget.

  The Stark Agency

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  There is an account that was opened fraudulently on my credit report. It has been disputed, I have filed a police report, and a report with the **** This merchant will not update or remove this item from my credit file, though it has been proven this is not mine and I was not even living in the state the account was opened. I need help getting this resolved as theyve already dragged my credit down almost 100 points. I will have no choice but to take legal action against them if not removed immediately.

  

  Business response

  12/20/2023

  We reached out to our client Veridian CU (***) for more information when we received this notice through BBB.  Their investigation confirmed that they never received a police report, nor an ID Theft report ******* filed with the FTC.  *** did indicate that you disputed almost every charge but gave no details other than "fraud".  *** indicated the most recent rounds of disputes were denied and *** is stating you are responsible for the amount due of $11,244.18.  *** did indicate that they would need an original signed, notarized police report filled out in the presence of a police officer with a very detailed explanation of your claim of fraud.   If they get that report, they will investigate further.  Attached is the application you filled out with *** and the final statement showing activity.

  *****************************, President

  Customer response

  12/21/2023

  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.
  
  With all due respect, Veridian is not the law. There is nothing stating I have to fill out a new report of fraud with police officer directly and that it can only be notarized in their presence. I have filed a report with the police department already as well as the *** and their guidelines said it had to be notarized in the presence of A notary, nothing further. I will not waste my time and theirs because Veridian is under the notion their word is law. I will send in copies of the reports to The Stark Agency and I expect this is at the very least, removed from my credit report until the investigation is completed. If that does not happen within the next 72 hours, I will be contacting my attorney and filing suit against both agencies for violations of the **** and my rights. I have more than enough documentation to back that up. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

  

  Business response

  12/26/2023

  
  We look forward to getting the notarized police report and notarized fraud report filed with the FTC. 

   

  Thank you.

   

  The Stark Agency

• Initial Complaint

  11/02/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with ********************** I do not have a contract with The Stark Agency, they did not provide me with the original contract bearing my signature as I requested.

  

  Business response

  11/17/2023

  We are very happy to have this opportunity to address **************. He has given us a Cease and Desist order.  That means we cannot send, email, call or text him with an explanation of the debt he owes to our client ********************* (***).  Upon getting his complaint we contacted *** to examine their records.  They report that the ************** they referred to this office is the same person who signed a used car loan agreement which is attached.  ****************** contract is with ***.  Our office has a contract with *** to collect money owed to ***.  We do not need a contract between our office and ***************  Principal amount of the loan owed is $15,682.27, plus late fees of $105 and the interest amount due at charge off of $1978.75.  Total due is $17,766.02.  We encourage ************** to call our office at ************ and an agent can assist him with setting up a payment plan.

   

  *****************************, President

   

  The Stark Agency

• Initial Complaint

  10/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  "The Stark Collection Agency" Does not have ANY CONTRACT with me and I have NEVER been in business with them in any way. Upon my discovery, I am in fear as "The Stark Collection Agency" has sent me ALL of MY PRIVATE INFORMATION WHICH IS A DIRECT VIOLATION TO 18 U.S.C **** - Federal Identity Theft as a 3rd party, someone not engaged in a contract but alleges a claim that the principle party (1st) or the (2nd) party are in debt to them. I am open to paying any debts I know of and occur on my own but this is not my debt and a much as they can buy DEBT ACCOUNTS, does not give them the Right to obtain My PRIVATE INFORMATION in doing so hence 18 U.S.C **** - Federal Identity Theft. Furthermore, if I do owe a public debt please send me the Full Ledger for the account and the account # in standing thats to be paid in the said amount of $227.51.In order to fully verify this and the previous debts on the said account, Please provide me with a TRUE AND CERTIFIED COPY of the complete Audit trail of the said account. Furthermore, please provide verification through audit certification of the debt entry in accordance with G.A.A.P., I.F.R.S., in accordance with Basel 3 accord and U.N.C.I.T.R.A.L. Conventions. I would also need a copy of your Tax Registration Certificate! Attached are 3 Exhibits to back my Remedy!This is the TRUE AND ONLY METHOD OF VALIDATION AND VERIFICATION OF AN EXISTING DEBT. IF THESE REQUESTS CAN NOT BE MET PLEASE REMOVE THE SAID ACCOUNT ASAP TO ABIDE BY THE ****

  

  Business response

  11/07/2023

  *********************** signed a ****** Services Agreement with our client IH Mississippi ******************* (IHMVCU) allowing him to open and use a checking account at IHMVCU.  We have a contract with IHMVCU to collect accounts that are owed to them. **************** owes IHMVCU $227.51 for an overdrawn checking account. This is the 2nd complaint **************** has filed with the BBB in an attempt to force us to furnish deletion data to the credit reporting agencies.  IHMVCU has provided the attached documents as verification of debt as owed by *****************  We encourage him to call ************ and an agent will be able to assist him. 

  *****************************, President

• Initial Complaint

  09/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  i have canceled my account with TDS Telecom and returned all the equipment and was assured my account was current and closed. I know receive a notice from a collections agency saying I owe them money still after I was assured i do not owe them a dime more.

  

  Business response

  09/11/2023

  We reached out to our client/creditor TDS regarding the issue with returned equipment.  Apparently, **************** did talk to TDS in May.  TDS told **************** then that only two pieces of equipment were returned.  TDS even opened an investigation with the warehouse in May and the 3rd piece of equipment was not found. TDS told **************** that a credit would be applied once that 3rd piece of equipment was returned.  The final bill is attached as reference.

  If **************** has a tracking number or proof that he did return three pieces of equipment he should send it to *********************************.

  I will also email **************** personally at his email address provided in this complaint to help resolve the issue.

  *****************************, President

   

• Initial Complaint

  08/28/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with The Stark Collection Agency. I do not have a contract with The Stark Collection Agency. They did not provide me with the original contract as requested.

  

  Business response

  08/29/2023

  We asked **************** to investigate the account they referred to this office for collections in the name of *****************************. They have determined the balance owed by **************** is correct. **************** provided the attached document verifying the debt.  **************** also owes ********************** for an unpaid credit card but we have not furnished that data to a credit reporting agency, so I am assuming **************** is referring to the **************** account in his dispute.  He does not identify the debt or creditor.
  
  We have left numerous voice mail messages without a response.  We have never been asked to provide documentation.  The contract to collect this debt is between **************** and Stark. Stark does not need a contract with **************** to collect debt owed to an entity in which **************** signed an agreement for services.
  
  I encourage **************** to call ************ and one of my agents will assist you.
  
  *****************************, President

  Customer response

  08/30/2023

  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.
  
  The following statement come directly form the Federal Trade Commission's website, ******************************************************************,

  "Can a debt collector report my debt to a credit reporting company?
  Yes, but a debt collector must take one of the following actions before reporting a debt to a credit reporting company
  1 ) talk to you by phone or in person about the debt
  2) mail a letter or send an electronic communication about the debt, such as a validation notice, and wait for a reasonable amount of time, usually 14 days, in case its returned as undeliverable"

  The Stark Agency HAS NOT talked to me nor have they mailed a letter or sent electronic notice prior to me filing the complain with the BBB. I received an electronic notice ONLY after my email address appeared in this complaint, and furthermore, the required reasonable time to report this debt to a credit report agency was not adhered to as this debt has been on my credit report for over a year. 

  Lastly, bringing up a different debt that has nothing to do with this complaint is unprofessional, and I take this as some sort of scare tactic used by The Stark Agency. I asked for the contract stating that I had an agreement with The Stark Agency that clearly spells out that credit bureau reporting would be a consequence of the unpaid debt. They have not furnished this, nor have they adhered to the clearly defined rules of the Federal Trade Commission. 

  In conclusion, I would simply like for this negative account to be removed from my credit profile and not be added back. This is adversely affecting my ability for gainful employment and securing living arrangements. 

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

  

  Business response

  09/05/2023

  ******************** first complaint did not identify what debt he was referring to.  As a courtesy we mentioned both debts in our response to help him identify which debt he is referring to.

  We did send him notices for both debts and neither notice was returned as undeliverable by the post office.  We met our obligations under the law. Our contracts are between our client/creditor.  We do not need a contract with **************** to collect debts owed to parties in which **************** contracted for services. 

  We encourage him to call ************ and an agent an help with resolution. 

   

  The Stark Agency

• Initial Complaint

  08/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On August 4th, 2023, they withdrew money from my account budgeted for a different bill, and caused me to become overdrawn. I want that ***** back.

  

  Business response

  08/07/2023

  Thank you for your correspondence.  I can understand your confusion.
  
  You wrote a check to Millers in Verona on May 3, 2023 for $72.29.  This check is a contract promising that you will have $72.29 in your account when the ******************** is presented for payment.  Unfortunately, ******* was notified that your account did not have adequate funds thus Millers did not get paid.
  
  By law, Millers must display signage at checkout locations advising customers what their check recovery policy is and who will manage that policy.  We manage the recovery process for Millers.  As you can see on the pdf labeled Proof of Signage, the Notice is very apparent at every checkout location what the policy is.  Wisconsin law does not require a customer to approve a debit made on your account in order to fulfill your promise to pay Millers in full. 
  
  Millers charges a $40 NSF fee and the $12 fee their bank charges as handling fees because your check was not good.
  
  If in fact you stopped payment on the representment then you still owe $124.29.  

  Given these facts, Stark Agency will not refund the $25 overdraft fee.

  Please call ************ and an agent can help you with resolution. 

  *****************************, President

• Initial Complaint

  07/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This agency is collecting on a debt they know is paid. Theyre reporting fraudulently to my credit report.

  

  Business response

  08/07/2023

  We reached out to our client, TDS Cable to request a copy of a bill detailing the equipment charges they are seeking from *************

  TDS is unable to locate such a bill, so we have zeroed out the account and returned it to TDS.  TDS has confirmed they have removed the $600 equipment charges from **************** account.  

  We have notified the credit reporting agencies to delete the record on **************** credit file. 

  If ************ has any further issues, please call me directly at ************.

  *****************************, President

  The Stark Agency

*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. ↩