ComplaintsforKansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI)

• Initial Complaint

  08/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Please look into this Kansas Counselors and I do not have a contract, I am not Liable for this debt, I do not have an agreement with this creditor, I do not have a contract with the collection agency. They did not provide me with the contract as requested for a date I have not knowledge of 10-04-2021 the amount they have listed is 7891. . Desired resolution I demand this be removed and they stop trying to contact me.

  

  Business response

  08/30/2023

  Dear *** *************
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (**** ******* ******) to recover charges due to them for medical services rendered on your behalf to ****** ******* on 11/07/20.
  
  In addition, KCI is a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 10/04/21. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any written FCRA dispute.
  
  In fact, despite numerous efforts to reach you by telephone, you have never contacted our office nor returned our messages.
  My records also indicate that we’ve received four (4) disputes from you regarding this account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These Automated Consumer Dispute Verifications (ACDVs) are forwarded to our agency through the Online Solution for Complete and Accurate Reporting (e-OSCAR) system. With each dispute, our agency performs a “reasonable investigation”, as is required by law, and after coordinating with our client, found that the disputed information was accurate and the debt to be valid and still unpaid.  These actions were completed, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most recently on 11/08/22.  At that time, we again marked the account as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via e-OSCAR.
  
  Please understand, after completing our “reasonable investigation” in compliance with the FCRA and responding back to the CRAs via e-OSCAR, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to the first part of your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  However, your request for no further contact has been duly noted and KCI will comply with your request in compliance with the FDCPA.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  ***** ***** *****
  Director of Compliance
  
  
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

• Initial Complaint

  08/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not reliable for this debt with ******, I do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors Inc. they did not provide me with the original contract as I requested.

  

  Business response

  08/30/2023

  Dear *** *************:
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (******) to recover charges due to them for utility services rendered to you at the property located at **** ********* *****, Lenexa, KS 66227.
  
  In addition, KCI is a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 12/27/23. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any written FCRA dispute.
  
  In fact, despite numerous attempts, KCI has been unable to communicate with you by telephone and you have not returned any of our messages.
  My records also indicate that we’ve never received any dispute from you regarding this account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs). 
  
  Nonetheless, as a courtesy to you, KCI requested and has attached a copy of the final bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the utility services provided to you by Evergy for the address stated previously.  You may keep this for your records.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  ***** ***** *****
  Director of Compliance
  
  
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

• Initial Complaint

  08/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with ******, I do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors Inc. they did not provide me with the original contract as I requested

  

  Business response

  08/04/2023

  Dear *** ******
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (******) to recover charges due to them for utility services rendered to you at the property located at ***** ***** ****** ****** **** **** Grandview, MO ******
  
  In addition, KCI is a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 02/07/23. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any written FCRA dispute.
  
  In fact, despite numerous attempts, KCI has been unable to communicate with you by telephone and you have not returned any of our messages.
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received one (1) dispute from you regarding this account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These Automated Consumer Dispute Verifications (ACDVs) are forwarded to our agency through the Online Solution for Complete and Accurate Reporting (e-OSCAR) system. With each dispute, our agency performs a “reasonable investigation”, as is required by law, and after coordinating with our client, found that the disputed information was accurate and the debt to be valid and still unpaid.  These actions were completed, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most recently on 08/04/23.  At that time, we again marked the account as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via e-OSCAR.
  
  Please understand, after completing our “reasonable investigation” in compliance with the FCRA and responding back to the CRAs via e-OSCAR, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nonetheless, as a courtesy to you, KCI requested and has attached a copy of the final bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the utility services provided to you by ****** for the address stated previously.  You may keep this for your records.  The validation materials attached are deemed sufficient under the law.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  ***** ***** *****
  Director of Compliance
  
  
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

• Initial Complaint

  07/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with EVERGY. I do not have a contract with KANSAS COUNSELORS INC., they did not provide me with the original contract as I requested.

  

  Business response

  07/20/2023

  Dear Mr* **********
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (Evergy) to recover charges due to them for utility services rendered to you at the property located at *** ** ******* **** ** ****** ** *****.
  
  In addition, KCI is a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 07/06/21. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any written FCRA dispute.
  
  During our only conversation with you on 08/19/22 regarding this debt, you told the representative that you did not recall this account but asked for no further documentation.  KCI marked the account as ‘disputed’ at that time, in compliance with federal law.
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received two (2) disputes from you regarding multiple accounts submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These Automated Consumer Dispute Verifications (ACDVs) are forwarded to our agency through the Online Solution for Complete and Accurate Reporting (e-OSCAR) system. With each dispute, our agency performs a “reasonable investigation”, as is required by law, and after coordinating with our client, found that the disputed information was accurate and the debt to be valid and still unpaid.  These actions were completed, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most recently on 07/20/23.  At that time, we again marked the account as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via e-OSCAR.
  
  ****** *********** ***** ********** *** *********** ************** ** ********** **** *** **** *** ********** **** ** *** **** *** ******** *** ** *** ***** *** ********** ** **** *** ********** ********* ** *** ************** ** ******* ** **** ***** ***** ** **** ******* ********** ** **** ******* ***** ** *** **** **** *** *** ******** **** ******* *** ********* ****** ************ *** *** ************ ******* ******** *** *** *** *********** ***** ** **** ***** *** **** *** **** ****** ** *** *** ********** ********  ** *** ***** *** ****** ****** ** ******* **** ***** ****** **** **** ** ******* ** ****** ** ***** **** * ******* ************** *** **** ****** ****** **** * **** ** ********** ***** *** *** **** ************** *** ********** *** *********** ** ********* **** ********* *** *** *** ********* *** ********* **** ****** *******  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * **** **********  **** ** ** ******* ** ******* * **** *** *** *********** ******** **** ** **** *** **** ********

• Initial Complaint

  07/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with Kansas Counselors Inc, I do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors Inc, they did not provide me with original contract as requested.

  

  Business response

  07/07/2023

  Dear, ***** *********

  You have several accounts open and active in our office from several creditors dating back as far as 2020.

  My records indicate you have never communicated directly with our office verbally or in writing.  Please specify which debt you are referring to so I may investigate and respond.

  Thank you.

   

  Customer response

  07/07/2023

  ** ******* ****** ** ******** **** ***** ********* **** ********** ** *** ********** *********  ** *** ***** *** *** ****** ** ****** ******* **** ****** ******** ******* * **** ******** *** ******** **** ** *** ******** ** ********* ** ********* ** ********* *** find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***** ********

• Initial Complaint

  06/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company has and continues to violate § 1006.34 of the FCRA. I have requested and the company has failed to provide me with a copy of any viable evidence, bearing my signature, showing the account with Kansas Counselors and/or MEP LLC is being reported accurately or that I owe any amounts being asserted. Furthermore, the information this company is disclosing violates HIPAA policies.

  

  Business response

  06/27/2023

  Dear Ms. *******
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statement indicates that you allege the debt Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) did not respond to your request for validation of the debt. I want to take a moment to address your concerns.
  
  First, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the account listed above on 10/03/16. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law.
  
  Nevertheless, when we received your written request for validation of your debt (despite your correspondence being nearly five years after the expiration of the validation period) KCI obtained the necessary documentation form the original creditor and mailed it to you.  In fact, there were other letters we received, and we validated all the debts in question; five (5) in total.  These actions were completed on 08/17/21. 
  
  In fact, until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau, KCI has never received any verbal or written communication from you claiming to dispute this particular debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute. 
  
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received twenty-six (26) disputes from you regarding multiple accounts submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These Automated Consumer Dispute Verifications (ACDVs) are forwarded to our agency through the Online Solution for Complete and Accurate Reporting (e-OSCAR) system. With each dispute, our agency performs a “reasonable investigation”, as is required by law, and after coordinating with our client, found that the disputed information was accurate and the debt to be valid and still unpaid.  These actions were completed, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most recently on 04/19/23.  At that time, we marked the account as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via e-OSCAR.
  
  Please understand, after completing our “reasonable investigation” in compliance with the FCRA and responding back to the CRAs via e-OSCAR, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.  The documents that were previously mailed and received by you (as evidenced by your attachments) are deemed sufficient under the law for verification purposes.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In short, this debt has been validated, yet remains unpaid.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** **********
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

  Customer response

  06/27/2023

  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** *** **** **** ** * ****** *** *** *** ********* *** ********* ** ** ****** ** ******** **** ********* **** ** ****** ** ******* ********** ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because the company has failed in over 26 attempts to provide me with a copy of any documents, bearing my signature, showing that I have a legally binding contractual obligation to pay them the alleged amount that has and continues to be reported on my credit profile. ******** ** ** **** **** * **** ******* *** * ******* **  the FCRA and FDCPA, this company has been and continues to be in violation of federal, state and local laws.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* ******

  

  Business response

  06/28/2023

  Ms. *******

  As stated previously, KCI validated all five (5) debts despite the fact that there was no legal obligation to do so, at that late date.  Also, as previously explained, the documents provided by the original creditor and attesting to the fact that you are the legal guarantor, and that the outstanding balances are accurate, is sufficient documentation under federal law.

  Although I can appreciate your demand for a document bearing your signature, this is not a requirement for verification of a debt under the FDCPA. The current itemized statements obtained directly from the provider in your case is again sufficient documentation to demonstrate that you are the responsible party, and that the amounts KCI is attempting to collect are accurate. 
  

  To clarify, Kansas Counselors, Inc., is acting as third-party debt collection agency on behalf of MEP, LLC, who has contracted with our agency and referred your delinquent accounts for recovery.

  Customer response

  06/29/2023

  ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response. Pursuant to staff opinion Letter from John F. LeFevre, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, to Robert G. Cass, Compliance Counsel, Commercial Financial Services (Dec. 23, 1997), 1997 WL 33791232, at *1, a printout of a bill or itemized document does not constitute verification.

  I am again asserting that I have requested, multiple times, a copy of any documents, bearing my signature, showing that I have a legally binding contractual obligation to pay the alleged amount.
  
  ******** ******* ******

• Initial Complaint

  06/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with Providence Medical Center. I do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors INC. They did not provide me with the original contract as i requested.

  

  Business response

  06/20/2023

  Dear ******** ******:
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor *********** ******* ****** to recover charges due to them for medical services rendered to you on 06/13/20.
  
  In addition, KCI is a contracted Business Associate for the original provider (Covered Entity) and a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 12/22/20. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  In fact, during our only conversation with you on 08/20/21 regarding this debt, you told the representative that you would not pay because you were only in the hospital for a brief period of time.
  My records also indicate that we’ve never received a dispute from you regarding your account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs). 
  
  It is of particular note that the original balance of your charges was: $839.00.
  
  A claim was successfully submitted and processed by your health insurance carrier, **** ********** ****** ** ****** *****  On 06/30/20 your carrier submitted a payment of $3.06 and a contractual adjustment of:  $335.60 to ********** ******* *****r which resulted in the amount you currently owe, and which was referred for collection in late 2020.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  
  ***** ***** ***** ******** ** **********
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

• Initial Complaint

  06/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Im not liable for this debt with ** *********** I do not have a contract with KANSAS COUNSELORS INC they did not provide me with the original contract as i requested

  

  Business response

  06/13/2023

  Dear Mr. *********
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (EM Specialists).  ** *********** is the emergency physician’s billing service for the ER doctors that rendered services to you at ************ ******* ******* on 07/05/20.
  
  In addition, KCI is a contracted Business Associate for the original provider (Covered Entity) and a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you dunning notices for the above-referenced accounts on 09/30/20. The letters sent to your address were not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  In fact, during our only conversation with you on 06/16/21 regarding this debt, you told the representative that you wanted no further contact at your home telephone or cellular number.
  My records do, however, indicate that we’ve received seventeen (17) disputes from you regarding your account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs).  These Automated Consumer Dispute Verifications (ACDVs) are forwarded to our agency through the Online Solution for Complete and Accurate Reporting (e-OSCAR) system. With each dispute, our agency performs a “reasonable investigation”, as is required by law, and after coordinating with our client, found that the disputed information was accurate and the debt to be valid and still unpaid.  These actions were completed, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most recently on 05/26/23.  At that time, we marked the accounts as disputed, and provided the results of our query to the CRAs via e-OSCAR.
  
  Please understand, after completing our “reasonable investigation” in compliance with the FCRA and responding back to the CRAs via e-OSCAR, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nevertheless, as a courtesy to you, I am mailing you a copy of the itemized bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the services rendered to you by the emergency room physician (Dr. William B. Kruse, MD.).  I do not wish to attach it here so as to safeguard your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA). You may keep this for your records.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** **********
  
  
  This communication is from a debt collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

  Customer response

  06/13/2023

  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** *** **** **** ** * ****** *** *** *** ********* *** ********* ** ** ****** ** ******** **** ********* **** ** ****** ** ******* ********** ********** ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  They never send me a contract or a 1099 by the fca I was never mailed I would like proof . I do no lt owe the debt to them . If this is not resolved I will get legal action I have already spoke to a lawyer 
  Regards,
  
  ****** ********

  

  Business response

  06/14/2023

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

  As explained previously, your contract is with EM Specialists and KCI is not required to provide a contract as part of the debt validation process.  

  Your reference to the IRS form 1099, which is used to declare income is confusing, as is your reference to 'fca'.  It is entirely unclear what point you are trying to make with these statements, or to what issues you are referring and it renders me unable to assist you further at this time.

   

  Customer response

  06/14/2023

  *** ****** ** ** ******** **** ****** ** * ****** *** **** **** ** * ****** *** *** *** ********* *** ********* ** ** ****** ** ******** **** ********* **** ** ****** ** ******* ********** ********** ********
  I am rejecting this response because:
  So I’m I supposed to do a report on ems then witch I never received from them since there the original creditor 
  Regards,
  ****** ********

• Initial Complaint

  06/04/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with MEP LLC and do not have a contract with KANSAS COUNSELORS INC. They did not provide me with the original application as I requested.

  

  Business response

  06/05/2023

  Dear Ms. *********
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc. and that we have refused to provide you with your original application.  I want to take a moment to address your concerns.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (MEP, LLC).  MEP, LLC. is the emergency physician’s billing service for the ER doctors that rendered services to you at *** ****** ********* ******** * ***** *** ** *********
  
  In addition, KCI is a contracted Business Associate for the original provider and a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  Neither KCI nor your original creditor (a healthcare provider) are lending institutions, so I am confused by your reference to an application. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 11/10/20. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  In fact, until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau, KCI has never received any verbal or written communication from you claiming to dispute this particular debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  
  Moreover, my records indicate that we have never received any disputes from you regarding this account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs). 
  
  Please understand, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nevertheless, as a courtesy to you, I am mailing you a copy of the itemized bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the services rendered to you by the emergency room physician (*** **** ******).  I do not wish to attach them here so as to safeguard your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA). You may keep this for your records.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * ***t collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

  

  Business response

  06/05/2023

  Dear Ms. *********
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statements indicate you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect debts that you are not liable for.  You also allege you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc. and that we have refused to provide you with your original application.  I want to take a moment to address your concerns.
  
  First, you are correct in your statement that you do not have a contract with Kansas Counselors, Inc.  KCI is a third-party debt collection agency that was contracted by your original creditor (MEP, LLC).  MEP, LLC. is the emergency physician’s billing service for the ER doctors that rendered services to you at *** ****** ********* ******** * ***** *** ** *********
  
  In addition, KCI is a contracted Business Associate for the original provider and a Data Furnisher as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  Neither KCI nor your original creditor (a healthcare provider) are lending institutions, so I am confused by your reference to an application. 
  
  Next, as is required by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and is strictly followed by KCI, an initial notice is sent to all legal guarantors on delinquent accounts placed with our agency. This notice contains our agency name, the name of the original creditor, your account number, the date of service, the exact amount owed, the full mini-Miranda, and the full statement of your rights to dispute and to request validation of the debt(s) in writing within thirty (30) days of receiving the notice. 
  
  KCI mailed you a dunning notice for the above-referenced account on 11/10/20. The letter sent to your address was not returned via the US Postal Service.  You did not exercise your rights within the time frame prescribed by law. 
  
  Until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau Complaint Portal, KCI has never received any written correspondence from you claiming to dispute this debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  In fact, until receiving your complaint via the Better Business Bureau, KCI has never received any verbal or written communication from you claiming to dispute this particular debt, nor requesting validation. Nor have we ever directly received any verbal or written FCRA dispute.
  
  Moreover, my records indicate that we have never received any disputes from you regarding this account submitted directly through the credit reporting agencies (CRAs). 
  
  Please understand, KCI is not under any obligation to send any additional materials to you.
  
  Nevertheless, as a courtesy to you, I am mailing you a copy of the itemized bill for your debt. This document is directly from the original creditor and serves as validation of the services rendered to you by the emergency room physician (*** **** ******).  I do not wish to attach them here so as to safeguard your rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA). You may keep this for your records.
  
  Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, agree to your desired resolution on your account based on the fact that KCI has complied with federal law regarding notice requirements and our verification efforts indicate you are the responsible party in this case, and that you have failed to pay the delinquent balance.  In the event you should decide to resolve this debt, please feel free to contact my office to speak with a helpful representative who will gladly assist you.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  ********** ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * ***t collector.  This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

• Initial Complaint

  06/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Kansas counclers have been harassing me for a year about a medical bill . After talking to the providers billing department multiple times telling me that there is nothing in collections , I have informed ks counclers of this multiple times they refuse to call the provider to clear this up and they are progressively getting more aggressive with me

  

  Business response

  06/02/2023

  Dear Mr. ************
  
  This letter is in response to your correspondence submitted to the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”). 
  
  Your statement indicates you allege that Kansas Counselors, Inc. (KCI) is attempting to collect a debt which was never referred to our agency for collection.  I want to take a moment to address your concern.
  
  Despite purported conversations you’ve had with the original creditor to the contrary, the account in question was, in fact, referred to our agency for collection on 04/15/22 in the amount of $1,069.00, These emergency room physician’s charges stemmed from a visit to ***** *** **** on 12/01/21.
  
  When account balances are written off by a medical provider to bad debt, the charge-off results in the amounts appearing as a zero balance in the provider’s system once the balance is transferred.  Unfortunately, conversations between patients and healthcare representatives unfamiliar with the collection process can result in misinformation and misunderstanding.  Namely, it is not uncommon for a representative to be unaware the balance has been forwarded to collection or that a statement regarding a zero balance can be misconstrued.
  
  Not only does this appear to have happened in your case, but the misinformation you were provided with made communication between you and our office ineffective, to say the least.
  
  As was explained to you in your follow-up call on 06/01/23, at the request of the healthcare providers we contract with, we do not contact their offices to validate account balances without supporting documentation or a requirement for verification under federal law.  In your case, the validation period afforded you under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) expired a year ago and aside from your statements that you had spoken to “Paul,” you provided us no further documentation to assist us with an investigation.
  
  Your conversation with our representative, however, was brought to my attention yesterday and I made an exception and had our Client Liaison office contact the provider to verify your balance.  Unfortunately, as of 06/01/23, the balance remained: $1,069.00.
  
  This morning, however, we were notified by the provider that they had received a payment and a contractual adjustment today from your carrier, presumably the Veterans Administration.  The amount of the payment reported today is:  $166.86.  The contractual adjustment reported today is:  $902.14.  In combination, these two (2) transactions reduce the balance of your account to zero as of 06/02/23.  
  
  As such, I can fully agree to your desired resolution to have no further contact with you based not only on your request that we cease and desist communication, but upon the fact that the balance has been reported as paid and now has a zero balance.
  
  I wish to personally thank you for your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to alleviate your concerns. KCI has now responded and considers this matter closed. 
  
  
  S********* ***** ***** ***** ******** ** ********** **** ************* ** **** * **** ********r. 
  

*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. ↩