ComplaintsforFederal Adjustment Bureau, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  02/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Fabco put over $7000 in rental debt into a closed collections on one of my credit reports. I never received anything to imply I would have a collection on my report by FABCO nor my old landlord. I turned in a 30 day notice, vacated the property on the date I provided in my notice and my landlord was intending to sell the house because he was too old to maintain it. To my surprise it looks like I paid for his remodeling in order to sell his house. The charge I knew nothing about is BOGUS and FABCO did no effort to reach out to me. I got their name and info from my credit report. What a shame and poor handling of this. I absolutely would have never left my 10 year lease with over $7000 in repairs/damage. Ridiculous

  

  Business response

  03/02/2023

  The creditor, *** ******** sent an account to our office in this consumer and another leaseholder’s name, on 9/25/2020. The balance is a result of her renting **** ** **** **** from 8/1/12 through 6/2/2020. Upon move-out, the consumer did not provide a forwarding address to the landlord, which is why the creditor was unable to send her a copy of the itemization. Once we received the account, we sent a validation notice to the rented address hoping it would be returned to us with a forwarding it. The letter never came back. We made several calls to the phone number listed on the application she filled out, but her voice mail was full until 10/18/21, and 10/25/21, when we left voicemails. She never returned our calls. We did not report the amount owed to the credit bureau until November 2020. Per the rules of the FDCPA and FCRA, we have 30 days (from request date) to reply to a dispute. We have contacted the creditor for additional documentation. We will mail a reply with documentation to the consumer’s address provided in this complaint by 3/24/2023. Should we not receive the requested documentation from the creditor by the due date, we will close the account. Regards, FABCO.

• Initial Complaint

  01/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  August 2022 I learned by denied application Fabco had showed several evictions on my record that was not mine.By October 2022 they removed some cause they were not mine.After that they left one eviction on my acct from 2022 that was not a eviction but a court advised landlord tenant agreed move out from *** ****** **** *** **** ******** ** ******* show with Fabco as a eviction.That lease was paid in full before early move out date.Fabco was ruining my chances of finding new home with thier wrongful reporting I had my records expunged and the court date for moveout removed from public records yet Fabco is still reporting as eviction in which is causing me to be denied by Landlord's still.After several attempts to resolve with fabco directly ****** ***** with Fabco told me I needed letter from old landlord to show to any perspective landlords so they a know I owe nothing and was not evicted from the address listed above.After being unable to obtain that letter from previous landlord due to they are under litigation for being poor owners of the ******* *** buildings,****** ***** from fabco then said they are still going to leave it on my record for 7 yrs even tho it was never a eviction,no money is owed,had been removed from public records by court order through ******** ****** ********* Court, and after seeing I can't get letter from landlord to show to any new landlords that I have no recent evictions.Fabco themselves even reached out to the landlord and said yes they said your balance is 0 and yes they said it was not a eviction but claim that even tho that particular court date was removed from public records, that they still get to leave it on my records with them solely because " the courthouse uses a portal and since I haven't obtained a paper copy of removal that it can't be removed"not realizing that is basically thier way of saying Fabco will not allow me to be able to rent again.Fabco is and have been abusing my rights to fair housing.

  

  Business response

  02/01/2023

  A few days after an eviction is filed at the ******** ****** ********* 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. The sealed order only removes the information from online public access. However, just because an eviction cannot be found online it does not mean it no longer exists. The eviction can still be reviewed personally at the ******** ****** ********* Court. Moreover, 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 this information must have a permissible purpose to do so. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows anyone with this data to report for 7 years. We have updated Eviction number *********** on our report to show the eviction has been sealed. If the consumer has had the record expunged as she claims on the complaint, she needs to submit the documentation to FABCO so we can remove the information. Lastly, the consumer claims FABCO continues to keep her from obtaining  housing. FABCO has not screened this consumer since September 2022. It is very possible other companies are reporting this information since the consumer stated, “which is causing me to be denied by landlord still.”

• Initial Complaint

  01/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable to for the debt with Gahanna Crossing Apartment and don't have a contract with FABCO. They don't provide me with the original application like I asked.

  

  Business response

  01/09/2023

  FABCO does not buy debts - we are a third-party collection agency. The creditor, Gahanna Crossing Apts., sent an account in ******* ******** name to our office on 2/21/19. He has made 4 payments totaling $80.00 towards the balance. We have spoken to Mr. ****** several times throughout the years, and he never requested a copy of his application. Our calls are recorded and notes of the conversations are on his file. We last spoke to him on 12/9/2022, and he offered to settle the debt for an amount the creditor is not willing to accept. Please find enclosed a copy of the application he submitted to the creditor(SSN/DOB partially blacked out for privacy reasons), signed lease agreement, an itemization of the charges, and a summary page from our system showing the current amount owed. Mr. ****** may call ###-###-#### to make a payment or should he have any questions. Regards, FABCO.

• Initial Complaint

  09/28/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I applied for a home for rent and Fabco provided inaccurate credit score, which I was the denied to rent the property. I was told by the company I did not meet the qualifications to rent from them, which I actually do and each credit bureau has been checked to verify that FABCO provided to falsely on my behalf.

  

  Business response

  09/29/2022

  Your score is provided by TransUnion and not FABCO. The score used in the report we provided to the landlord is a Vantage 4.0 score. It is possible that you are viewing either a FICO score or Vantage 3.0 score.
  
  FABCO is one of hundreds of reporting companies that have access to this data and does not make the decision as to the credit worthiness of a consumer seeking housing. That decision is the landlord’s and whichever criteria they have set up in place. If you have been denied housing, you would need to receive an Adverse Action letter from the company or individual 60 days from the date you applied, explaining the reason for your denial.
  
  We are unable to provide credit reports to a consumer. In order to obtain a copy of your credit report, you can contact TransUnion at ###-###-####, or send a written request to Consumer Disclosure Center **** ****** *** *** ******* ************ ****** You may also request a copy of your reports at ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  06/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I applied at an apartment complex and they denied me because Fabio said my credit was 40 points lower than what it is. I called fabco and spoke with a lady in the office she told me they use ********** vantage score 4.0 and I would need to contact **********. I did that and ********** said they don’t have the information for reporting vantage score 4.0 and they only report using vantage score 3.0. I asked ********** for a copy of my credit report and they sent it to me with my correct score. I called the lady at fabco back and told her what 2 different ********** reps told me and she said it wasn’t nothing she could do.

  

  Business response

  06/28/2022

  From the training guide: “************ 4.0 was launched in fall 2017 and leverages the core ************ platform to deliver superior predictive performance. The impetus for the updated model came from opportunities to enhance predictive performance through the credit bureau trended data solutions, utilizing machine learning techniques for attribute design to model the universe expansion population and aligning with the reduction in public record information available in consumer credit files. The ************ 4.0 model was built with a lender’s implementation and risk management needs in mind.”
  
  Here are a few links that can help the consumer understand the differences between scores provided to consumers versus scores provided to lenders:
  
  Credit Karma Link for *******:
  *******************************************************************
  
  ******* in their own words:
  *************************************************************
  
  The score is provided by ******* through ********** and it seems the consumer  received inaccurate information regarding scores provided to the business market versus the consumer market.  
  

  FABCO has no control over the scores provided by **********. We simply pass the information we received along to our client.

• Initial Complaint

  04/29/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Fabco is providing companies with knowingly false information. After speaking with ******* with the Franklin County Municipal Court. (Columbus, OHIO). I was reiterated that I do not have any Evictions or eviction filings with the court. But FABCO is reporting that I have a eviction making it a hardship for me to find housing!. I would would like for them to remove any and all outdated/incorrect information. and to send updated reports to anyone they have sent reports to in the last 60 days.

  

  Business response

  05/02/2022

  Dear *******
  This is in response to your recent complaint to the Better Business Bureau. 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 received 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 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 cae number ***********, filed on July 11, 2016, 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.
  Should you have any questions regarding your FABcO Rental Report, you may contact our Customer Service Department at ##############.
  Very truly yours,
  FABCO
  *************    ***************
  
  

  Customer response

  05/03/2022

  
  As you can see per my screenshot from the FCMC(Franklin County Municipal
  Court) that the company is truly being deceptive. per their letter
  anyone can go to the website and look up the case number and find a file,
  as you can see I looked up the case number, and once again no RECORD was
  found. Their reporting is causing me hardship. They state consumers can
  contact them, but when you do they will either leave you on hold for over
  an hour. or they will pick up the line and disconnect it. I have proven
  that this company is being deceptive with their reporting and i'm demanding
  that they correct this issue immediately.
  
  

  

  Business response

  05/03/2022

  You will not find the eviction (Case# ***********) by looking it up through the Franklin County Municipal Court Website. You would need to go to the court house and request to see the actual paper copy. We are not reporting inaccurate information in regards to this filing, as the eviction was indeed filed on 07/11/2016. This eviction record will be removed from your Rental History Report once it is 7 years old, on 7/11/2023. Regards, FABCO.

  Customer response

  05/03/2022

  I have provided two different screenshots of the FCMC website lookup for case numbers. one search was by my name and the other search was by the case number given to the BBB by FABCO, both searches came back with no record found. I would like my report from FABCO to be update with no record of eviction or eviction filing found.
  
  Regards,
  
  ******* *********

• Initial Complaint

  03/11/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  June, 2019 - predatory eviction. I was never served and all notices were sent to the house that I was being evicted from. My ex was the only one left living at the property and he overstayed the end of the lease by 3 days. Original creditor (patriarch management) continued eviction process despite my ex vacating. Original creditor received a default judgement as I did not attend court as I had no clue I needed to attend. The original debt was over $6000 and charged for repairs that to this day have not been made. The house was condemned after we moved out. Which means we were living in a house that was dangerous for 2 years. Our initial deposit covered rent for the 1 month my ex did not pay rent before he moved. We were charged for: 1. Carpet, was not new when we moved in and had been heavily soiled by animals. We had to have the carpets professionally cleaned before we could move in. 2. Paint, was not fresh when we moved in and after 2yrs of renting the house would reasonably need painted. The list of unfair charges went on and on. Dec 16, 2019 - listed as collections (original balance over $6,000) In 2021 I disputed the balance down by $4k because there was no proof of repair. In the state of OH a landlord cannot charge for repairs without possessing receipts for the work done. In addition, landlords can be sued for being unable to prove the repair costs. I stand in belief that the original creditor evicted me predatorily and seeks compensation for work never completed. Furthermore, I believe the continuance of eviction action after vacation is predatory. The “damage” of the property pre existed our rental (condemned after we moved out). Additionally, the deposit covered the rent missed. The debt that FABCO is reporting has been proven partially incorrect via successful dispute. The remaining balance is also inaccurate. My credit is being lowered for debt I do not owe because I did not live in the rental at the time of eviction and I was never served.

  

  Business response

  03/14/2022

  
  

  This is in response to your complaint to the Better Business Bureau, received March 14, 2022. 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.

  
  

  Unless you were formally released from the lease agreement, you are responsible for the charges. The eviction had to list your name, since you signed the lease and resided in the unit. Once an eviction is filed, the entry becomes a public court record, regardless of the disposition.

  
  

  An account in your and another leaseholder’s name was placed with us by the creditor referenced above. The original amount was $6,135.72, but after we received your February 10, 2021 dispute through the credit bureau, the creditor reviewed your file, and since they could not provide the invoices fo paint and carpet, they removed the $3800.00 charges, revising your debit to $2335.72. You leased *** **** ******* ***** from 06/01/2017, through 05/31/2018, at which point the lease renewed automatically on a month-to-month basis. Rent was delinquent, so our client filed an eviction on 5/21/2019, and the unit was vacated on 6/07/2019, with 2 month’s delinquent rent and late fees. An inspection revealed that areas left in a condition considered beyond normal wear and tear. You are also being charged court costs and final water. All charges were billed against the $800.00 security deposit. Your former roommate paid $335.72 on 5/07/2021, reducing the amount owed to $2000.00. To document the charges, we have also attached a revised itemization from our system, and copies of your original Statement, water bill, Rental Agreement, and photos of the inspection.

  
  

  You may contact our representative, Jessica Rooker, at (614)538-5613, with any questions or to arrange a payment plan; or submit a written reply to FABCO **** ****** *** ***** ******** **** ******

  
  

  Very truly yours,

  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. ↩