Check Care Services CCS Misuse of collection assignment, to increase fees; Harassment, via use of over 6 different telephone numbers/areas codes to place over a dozen calls over 8 days; refusal to even consider offered banking source-provided proof that check in question was NOT an "NSF" item; threatening language. Concord California
I had a personal checking account checkbook lost or stolen. I looked for it for several days, then contacted my Credit Union to report it unlocatable. It's a single-write format check system, so my signature is visible on copies. The CU strongly advised I close the account & get new checks. It appeared that all checks written with prior 10 days had cleared, so I did as they advised. However, an earlier check to my wife's health services provider, Kaiser Permanente/Pharmacey; in the amount of a little over $11. It had, even after 10 days, NOT been cleared; & was returned without a call from the payee or my knowledge. I then began receiving CCS calls - several daily; & from a variety of telephone exchanges/numbers - telling me I needed to pay a $25. "NSF" service fee, plus another $20., for the collection services. I tried - with several of their agents - to explain why/how they were in error, but all refused to accept what I said; & when I offered to provide them with an official letter from my CU, confirming the account closing process described above, they said it didn't matter WHAT the actual circumstances were, they were determined to handle it as an "NSF" referral. I'm taking the matter up with KP; but have refused to either pay their extortionary fees or take any further calls/engage in any further discussion.
I firmly believe their practices are in clear violation of CA's consumer protection laws, re: Harassment, &/or as applicable to such collection agency practices.