ComplaintsforFederal Adjustment Bureau, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  11/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  To Whom It May Concern,

  I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding an outstanding collection account reported by FABCO, a tenant debt collection agency, as seen on my Experian credit report.

  Summary of the Situation: I had been residing at **** **** and, prior to my move, I discussed the possibility of moving out early with **** **** management. This discussion resulted in an agreement to vacate due to a waitlist for the unit. One week after moving out, I verified that the unit was indeed rented out to new tenants.

  Before vacating the property, I took the following actions: • I cleaned the unit thoroughly, including steam-cleaning the floors. • I repaired the rotted wood under the sink that had been damaged due to a broken water line. There were ongoing issues with bedbugs and cockroaches in the unit, which were significant factors contributing to my decision to leave. Upon my departure, I completed a walk-through of the unit with **** **** management, handed over the keys, and agreed to forfeit more than half of my security deposit due to the early move-out. The management provided me with $300 in cash as the remaining amount from the deposit.

  Attempts to Resolve the Matter: After noticing this collection account with FABCO, I reached out to **** **** to discuss the matter. I then contacted FABCO to negotiate a settlement, although I do not agree with or accept the debt. FABCO was unyielding and declined any negotiation for a “pay-for-deletion” or settlement, insisting that they would not remove the account even if a settlement was reached.

   

  

  Business response

  11/25/2024

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

  This is response to your complaint submitted to the Better Business Bureau on 11/18/2024. 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.

   

  As you know, an account in your and another leaseholder’s name was placed with us by the creditor reference above. You leased ****** ******** ***** from 11/02/2018 through 11/30/2019. You moved out on 10/15/2019 with a delinquent rent, late fees, water and pest control “no service” charges. All unis are treated for pests weekly. The creditor explained you failed to properly secure your unauthorized dog on 3 occasions (9/25, 10/3 and 10/10), which meant the pest control company could not enter your unit. The pest control company was the one who notified management they could not enter your unit because of a loose dog. The unit was not re-rented until 1/15/2020, meaning the creditor could have charged you rent until the end of the lease. However, they are charging you rent until 11/15/2019 to complete the 30-day notice period, which you did not provide. An inspection revealed areas left in a condition considered beyond normal wear and tear. To document the charges, we have also enclosed copies of the itemization, lease and inspection photos by the creditor. 

  We have no obligation to delete a paid debt from a consumer’s credit and generally do not delete accounts that are paid for less than the amount owed. When we spoke with you on 11/14/2024, we offered to settle the $4428.75 debt for $3321.56,and will honor this offer as long as it is paid by 12/22/2024.

  You may submit a written reply to FABCO at **** ********* ***** ******** **** ***** ()we are not open to the public); or*********** Should you wish to make a payment by telephone, please contact us at ###-###-####.

  
  

  FABCO offers three payment options. Option 1 is to send a check or money order to FABCO at **** ********* ****** ********* **** ***** (we are not open to the public). Option 2 allows you to remit a check over the telephone. Option 3 is to pay by using a credit or debit card also over the telephone.

  
  

  Respectfully,

  FABCO

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

  Vice President

  ***

  
  

  Customer response

  11/25/2024

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *******

• Initial Complaint

  09/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  They added a false information on my rental record. I told them to send me proof of what this is about and they refused. What is the amount about? They won’t say but think I’m going to pay? Nope. Show me a proof of what the charges are about?????

  

  Business response

  10/01/2024

  Good morning. We have two accounts in your name, and mailed the documentation to **** ********* Dr. on 9/27/24. You should be receiving them soon. Please let us know if you don't receive them by 10/7 so we can resend the documents. Respectfully, FABCO.

• Initial Complaint

  07/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  FABCO has placed a rental collection on my credit from a landlord that was already paid off! The management company is no longer in business so I am unable to get in touch with them, but somehow FABCO is in communication with them and refuses to provide me with their contact information. That’s not even the point of this complaint however. I have been ILLEGALLY charged and I actually overpaid FABCO $71.31. I moved out of this apartment on 4/19/2019 . This management company illegally charged me for a full month of rent. FABCO sent me the statement (which I never received from the mgmt company OR FABCO prior) and the statement clearly states I moved out 4/19/19. Once the balance was transferred to FABCO, I paid over 50% of the balance! I asked FABCO to provide the FULL ledger from the management company, photos of damages, lease agreement stating the company can charge rent after move out (they can’t), the owners contact information, and they have outright refused. They have also refused to pay me the $71.31 and remove the balance from my credit, which is insane because they have the proof that I moved out on 4/19 AND CANNOT POSSIBLY OWE RENT FOR THE FULL MONTH OF APRIL! I gave them 30 day notice and I was in a month to month lease! The attempt to collect this is not only unethical it is ILLEGAL as I do not owe that balance! I am once again asking for FABCO to remove this balance from my credit, AND send me a check for the OVERPAYMENT! This company has fraudulent and unethical practices!

  

  Business response

  07/29/2024

  On 1/29/2021, a $649.39 account for ******** ***** was placed with FABCO by the creditor, ****** * ********** , who owned (managed?) ******* ******. The charges re related to the rental unit at **** ******** **. We mailed the validation notice the next day to the forwarding address she provided the property upon move out. On March 15, 2021, the consumer called us and tried to make a payment, but the method of payment did not work, so she called us back on 3/26/21 and paid $50. On 5/7/2021, the consumer called again and paid $50. On 6/21/21, we mailed a letter to the consumer stating her payment was overdue. On 10/5/2021, the consumer called and stated she wanted to start paying $50 per month again, stating on 10/8/21. But on 10/6/21, she called and paid $50. We called her several times when her next payment was overdue, with no success. On 12/17/2021, she called and paid another $50. On 2/11/2022,  she paid $50. On 3/18/2022, she paid $50. And on 5/2/22, she paid $50 for the last time. All calls and letters were ignored after this point. On 7/17/24, the consumer emailed us and explained she paid the remaining balance to the creditor directly and the company was closed so we needed to remove this from her credit. We contacted the creditor, who explained they did not receive any payments from her. We replied to the consumer asking for proof of payment, and instead, she started disputing the charges. The fact that she entered into a payment plan early on means she accepted the charges. She made several payments, leaving $329.39 still owed. We explained to her that, even though the creditor who sent the collection to our office sold the property, it does not mean the money is not owed to him. He is still our client, and we verified with him that the account is outstanding. When she disputed, even though she accepted all charges for years, we removed the $10 cleaning and $30 carpet cleaning charge, and revised the amount owed to $289.39. It is interesting that she first claimed she paid the debt off, and now she disputes some charges. All the consumer has to do with prove she paid. She can provide us with credit card statements or cancelled checks showing the payment(s). Respectfully, FABCO.

  Customer response

  07/31/2024

  The issue is not the fact that I paid off the balance! The issue is that it shouldn’t have been charged in the 1st place!! I moved out on April 19,2019 and they charged a full month of rent! See attached! I overpaid FABCO regardless of the fact! Fabco owes me a refund! And they need to remove it from my credit! Period. They are purposely being difficult over this small balance! OR they need to provide the requested documents. Lease, ledger prior to Apr 2019, management contact information, etc.. Plain and simple. 

  

  Business response

  08/02/2024

  Please see attached the documentation sent by the creditor. You leased the unit until 9/28/19, but moved out on 4/19/19 with delinquent rent and five months left on your contract. The creditor could have charged you rent until the end of the lease or the date the unit was re-rented (7/1/2019) but chose to charge you only until 4/30/19. FABCO

  Customer response

  08/06/2024

   Again, another false claim. I was an employee with this company and signed an employee addendum that stated my lease would immediately go month to month upon no longer working there. I quit there in March of 2019. I have asked your office several times to send the addendum which they have refused. Additionally I took the advice of **** the VP and looked up Ohio revised code. It stated that once a 3 day is issued, and the tenant moves out, the tenancy agreement is terminated. Which, again, they CANNOT charge me rent after move out. I have asked several times for that to be sent as well. Additionally, I took it upon myself to research the law regarding debt collection. Your office FRAUDULENTLY collected money from me without sending me the required written documentation regarding the account and how to dispute the charges, which should’ve been given to me within 5 days of making contact. Per the Ohio Attorney General. Nor did your office mail that to me in January of 2021 as the previous response falsely claimed. Again I have asked for that multiple times. This is my last attempt to resolve this matter amicably. My only other option would be filing a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General. Remove this OFF of my credit! 
  
  Regards,
  
  ******** *****

  

  Business response

  08/16/2024

  Despite the fact the debt was validated, and the consumer did not provide proof she paid the remaining balance as she claimed, we decided to close the account due to its age and small balance. Experian and/or TransUnion will be sent a request to delete the trade line on her credit history and it may take up to 30 days for the information to be removed.  Should the account appear on any other credit-reporting agency, the consumer will need to contact them directly to resolve the matter.

  Customer response

  08/16/2024

  I accept the business's response to resolve this complaint.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******** *****

• Initial Complaint

  07/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This account resulted in fraudulent collections appearing on my consumer credit report. I demand that the aforementioned fraudulent items be removed from each of my consumer credit reports and that all collection activity related to this item cease, pursuant to my rights under the **** and FDCPA laws FABCO Account #************ Balance $4,733.00

  

  Business response

  07/01/2024

  The creditor, ***** Rental, placed a $4732.67 account for ******************************** with FABCO in Feb 2024. The account is charges related to the unit at ******************, which the consumer rented from 3/5/2021 through 4/25/2023. Please see attached the itemization, signed lease and application provided by the creditor. Please note: the signature on the lease matches the signature on the photo ID the consumer provided on this complaint. Should the consumer wish to resolve this account, they may call us at ************. Respectfully, FABCO.

• Initial Complaint

  03/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I went to rent an apartment and was denied for a 2017 past eviction on my record. Called to get it expunged by the ******** ****** courts and was told it no longer shows on their side. Since then I have rented and have only had one eviction filing in 2022 but was dismissed. I was suffering from a antibiotic giving me drug induced lupus that started attacking my body so I was unable to work. I have doctor's notes and papers from hospital including handicap sticker due to me having hard time walking during this time. But I paid what I owed and it was dismissed. I have nont had any other filings since 2022 the last filing and would like both evictions off my record. This has made it very hard for me to find housing based on what fabco is reporting to future apartment.I also have found on my report from fabco apartments and addresses that don't belong to me. Some states I've never even been to in my life and need help taking them off I will be filing police report but would like help from fabco as well to figure out what had happened with these addresses someone is obviously using my information.All addresses from ** and ******** address I have never lived at nor been to these places. Also shows the correct info where I was in **** during same time someone was using my info.

  

  Business response

  03/27/2024

  A few days after an eviction is filed at the Franklin County Municipal Court, they send a file to our office and other data repositories throughout the United States. This file contains all the case files for that particular day. We then download all the eviction filings we receive from them into our database.  Once a case is filed it becomes a public court record regardless of the disposition. There are numerous repositories that obtain these records and FABCO would not be the only reporting agency for this data. FABCO does not obtain records from public access, and anyone accessing information must have a permissible purpose to do so. We can update a disposition, but since the case information is provided directly from the court, we cannot delete the record. Franklin County reports evictions on their website for 3 years; however, just because an eviction cannot be found online it does not mean it no longer exists. The eviction filings can still be reviewed personally at the Franklin County Municipal Court. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows anyone with this data to report for 7 years. 

  Customer response

  03/29/2024

  I would like to know more about updating the disposition. I don't not understand what this means. Also help with figuring out why I have homes I never lived at nor was associated with on the information they pulled from my report. I understand more from what they wrote back and appreciate the information they gave me.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** *****

• Initial Complaint

  10/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company put a $1,209 debt that I am not responsible for on my credit report. This collection was already removed off my ******* credit report because it does not belong to me. Tried to say I owe a debt for an apartment complex that I have never lived at. I know for a fact I never lived there because They are saying this lease was opened in 2017-2018. At which time I was a sophmore at *** **** ***** ********** and everyone in Columbus knows that Freshman and Sophmores are REQUIRED to live in dorms those two years. They reported this debt on my experian and ******* credit reports for 2-3 years now then just last week they reported it to my Transunion credit report. Complete Morons trying to ruin your credit. However luckily for me I have all the updated documentation to prove this fraud company wrong and Will get it removed from My ******** and ********** credit report. Nice try though frauds.

  

  Business response

  10/20/2023

  The creditor, ***** *********, placed an account with FABCO in the name, SSN and DOB of ***** **** in September 2021. The account is regarding the rental unit at *** ************ **** **** from 9/15/17 thought 12/11/2017. On 11/2/21, we spoke to the consumer and she said they would "not be paying this debt and it could sit on the credit for 7 years." We first reported the balance to ******** in November 2021. We have never reported this account to *******. Last month FABCO started reporting all current accounts to both ******** and **********, which is why this account showed up for the first time in this consumer’s TU report. Several ACDVs were submitted to ******** throughout the years, claiming different things, and we responded to all of them by confirming the amount owed and sending letters to the consumer at different addresses listed on ********. All addresses were in Columbus, Ohio. The address provided on this complaint is in Texas, where the Statute of Limitation (SOL) s is 4 years. Even though the account originated in Ohio, where the SOL is 7 years, FABCO chooses to go by the SOL of the consumer’s current State. We will have the account deleted from TU and Exp. Please keep in mind it may take up to 30 days for the accounts to be deleted. Please find enclosed a copy of the consumer’s photos ID and SS card, provided when she applied to rent a unit from ***** **********. We redacted the first five digits of her SSN for privacy.

• Initial Complaint

  10/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  **** the VP was combative and dismissive 10:36am saying “No you can’t,” when I asked if I could finish my sentence after being continually interrupted. A subordinate of **** said at 10:35am after placing me on a brief hold “she just wants to fight”. I was simply calling in regards to a fraudulent eviction filing on my record. I was informed by **** “it’s impossible at this point to remove the eviction from your record”. **** as well as the subordinate I spoke to were extremely aggressive, combative and unprofessional.

  

  Business response

  10/23/2023

  Ms. **** first contacted our office on 10/13 wanting information regarding an eviction filing that was completed on her in Franklin County OH.  We explained that although the eviction filing was part of the courthouse record and although dismissed and/or sealed it would still be reportable on any screening company's report since the sealing order only takes it from the front facing page of the county website.  FABCO is one of hundreds of screening companies that can report this data.  Ms. **** decided to call back on 10/20 and posed the same questions to another employee of FABCO and would not accept answers given.  She was then transferred to the Vice President of FABCO and asked if he was familiar with her situation.  As he tried to explain he was brought up to speed, she wanted to interrupt and tried talking over him.  Ms. **** immediately brought up race to the Vice President in a dangerous assumption as a reason he would not let her ask another question or make a statement until he was finished with her first inquiry.  FABCO not only has a very diverse group of clients, but has interactions with people from all walks of life, and furthermore has a very diverse group of employees. Racially charged allegations such as the one Ms. **** brought up are dangerous and are taken seriously. In the over 8 minute phone call, the Vice President of FABCO did all he could to help Ms. **** in her situation.  Once the process of the eviction process was explained, he asked Ms. **** the nature of the dismissal and/or sealing of the record.  Ms. **** at that time refused to explain if she moved out of the unit she was living in or any other reason the eviction did not go through the possession process.  Ms. **** has made the statement that this eviction filing is keeping her from obtaining housing, however we have confirmed with our client that even if the eviction filing did not show, she would have not met their minimum standards to obtain a lease.  Furthermore we have confirmed that the eviction is in fact sealed from the public access portion of the Franklin County website and have updated the filing in accordance with the FCRA.  To completely address Ms. ****** complaint, FABCO does not "advertise" fraudulent documents.  The document in question that Ms **** has provided was provided by the Franklin County Clerk of Courts and contains a case number that does exist at the courthouse although not viewable via their website.    
  

• Initial Complaint

  10/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I received a letter from ******* ****** requesting $2999.00. I requested details in addition to a validation request. The individual refused any further assistance. I have never done any business transactions with Fabco.

  

  Business response

  10/16/2023

  Hello. We received a letter from this consumer's attorney on 12/21/2021, and sent validation to the attorney, along with follow-up letters. We cannot communicate directly with the consumer when they have attorney representation. Please see attached copies of the letters and itemization. If the consumer wishes to discuss this account directly with FABCO, we need her to call us at ###-###-#### and explain she no longer has attorney representation. Regards, FABCO.

  Customer response

  10/22/2023

  [If you do not say why you are rejecting the company's response, BBB must close your complaint.] 
  
  ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** *****

  Customer response

  11/09/2023

  Description:
  I have requested a validation on debt from ***** ********** ********, who is now represented by
  Fabco, but they have refused to provide the original documents. I request that they provide the original
  signed lease agreement for 4/29/2019, signed by ***** ******, the property manager. And a lease
  agreement for 4/29/2020 was signed by ******* ******, property manager. The company refused.
  Instead, ***** ********** ******* ***. refused to accept my 60-day notice to vacate my apartment.
  Over a year later, they informed me of this information via mail. I claimed to have renewed my license
  after I moved out in order to obtain illegal funds. They harassed me for $2977.00 until I obtained an
  attorney, then added the false claim to my credit report with the help of Fabco.I gave a 60-day notice,
  then moved out in March 2021 and turned in my keys.I did not live in the apartment complex from April
  2021 to October 2021, as alleged by Fabco. I did not receive any eviction notices or anything from an
  attorney. The documents were not a validation of the debt. They simply printed out my payment history
  from the ******** ******** ******* then added several months of rent and electricity payments that were
  not included in the lease. None of those actions were legal.
  

  Satisfactory Solution:
  Provide the original signed rental contract.
  Corrections to my credit report demand this account be removed
  from my credit report
  ********* *** *******

  

  Business response

  11/16/2023

  We provided validation of the debt and follow-up letters to this consumer's attorney, but the attorney never replied. We have been going back and forth through here and through the BBB.  The consumer has not provided a key receipt or any proof that they vacated earlier than 7/26/2021. The creditor states the consumer did not provide a notice or a forwarding address, and vacated 7/6/2021. We believe we addressed this consumer's complaints and have nothing new to add.

  If the consumer has a copy of the notice to vacate they submitted to ***** **********, and/or a copy of the key receipt, signed by *****, then please submit it to our office for review.

  Due to size limitations here, please find enclosed a partial copy of the signed lease agreement, which we provided to this consumer's attorney in it entirety back in December 2021.

• Initial Complaint

  06/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been a victim of identity theft. I discovered it last few weeks ago upon reviewing my credit report. I found accounts that are not mine , unknown addresses that I never resided, inquiries I never made and even a variation of my name such as ****** * *******. Now I am dealing with creditors who want me to file a fraud packet even though proofs has been given already. I also found this account that I believe not mine: Acct name: FABCO (Original Creditor: ** ********** *****) acct no. ********** date opened 07/28/2017 balance $2,326.00 I am not liable for this debt and I do not have a contract with: Company: FABCO Address* ** *** ***** ********* ** ***** Tel No:#############  Police Report and FTC Affidavit are attached with this complaint together with dispute letter sent to the bureaus and the authorization for release of information. I also filed complaints thru CFPB. Please delete this account from my credit report at once. Any questions or concerns I can be reached at ** * ********* *** ********** ** ***** and email at **************************. I need a response from the company.

  

  Business response

  06/19/2023

  Good morning Ms. ******* - The creditor, ********** *****, sent over this account to our collection agency in July 2017. We actually spoke to you on on a few occasions throughout the years. In March 2018, we explained the charges over the phone and you said you would "pay later", and on 4/20/2021, you called us and asked for a settlement. We explained you needed to offer a settlement amount and we would take your offer to the creditor, but you did not submit one. Since this account is over 6ys old, we will delete it from your credit within the next 30 days; however, just because the debt is not on your credit, it does not mean it is not owed. Should you wish to pay the $2325.59, please call us at ###-###-####. regards, FABCO.

• Initial Complaint

  05/19/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This apartment complex, charged me wrongfully. l lived in black mold coming from my ceiling and roaches while I was pregnant, which they refused to resolve. I had a rock thrown through my window while I was pregnant and the complex said it was my fault and rejected to fix the window. These circumstances forced me to leave the complex for the safety of me and the my future daughter. The complex charged me over $3k for only one month of staying there, which I could not afford, since my rent was only $810 at the time. I paid the rent the whole time I lived there, up until the last month when they tried charging me $3k plus, which is a 300% plus increase in my rental agreement. The complex refused to resolve the issues in the payment and I couldn’t afford to pay $3k for the last month of rent. They put many added charges on my end of lease, like the pet fee, and I didn’t have any animals within the apartment. They refused to give back my security deposit. The actual bill should’ve only been the last month of rent which was $810, not over $3k in charges that weren’t added rightfully. I tried speaking with the complex manager but they had nothing to say. This is causing me and my daughter to not be able to get an apartment, because they have affected my Fabco score and compexes won’t take me.

  

  Business response

  06/05/2023

  We cannot located an account for a ****** ****** in our company. The consumer needs to provide us with the last four numbers of her SSN, date of birth, and mailing address. One we locate her account, our answer will be sent via USPS to the address she provides. Respectfully, FABCO.

*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. ↩