Debt collection -- Attempts to collect debt not owed -- Complaint #15634552
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 15634552
Company: Mccarthy, Burgess & Wolff, INC.
Product: Debt collection
Sub-Product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-Issue: Debt is not yours
State: Virginia
ZIP Code: 23455
Date Received: 2025-08-31T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2025-08-31T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Consumer Narrative
In XX/XX/year>2025, I received a Final Notice from XXXX demanding {$990.00}. The letter contained no itemized invoice, no cost breakdown, and no documentation identifying what the amount was for or how it was calculated. On XX/XX/year>2025, I submitted a formal written dispute by email, following the instructions in that notice. I received no reply or acknowledgment from XXXX. Despite my timely dispute, the account was sent to McCarthy, Burgess & Wolff ( XXXX ), a third-party collector, around XX/XX/year>2025 before any response to my dispute was provided. This violated 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ), which prohibits further collection activity until a dispute is addressed and the debt is validated. Only after I followed up again in XXXX did XXXX provide invoices but they were inconsistent. One showed a total of {$1000.00}, another {$990.00}. One document includes the phrase authorized via phone, but its dated days before the service and references a different total than the one sent to collections. The phrase is vague and likely refers to scheduling an appointment, not a binding agreement to charges. I was never shown a written estimate, cost disclosure, or invoice prior to service. Any verbal amount mentioned would not be binding, especially since the total could change after inspection which it did. I was never given the opportunity to review, approve, or reject the final charges. The only time I saw any invoices at all was after the account had already been placed in collections. In one email, XXXX acknowledged that it was possible they didnt receive my XX/XX/XXXX dispute, yet that same dispute was in the very email thread they were responding to. They still havent confirmed whether they received it, nor have they provided the proper documentation required to validate this debt. The amounts continue to vary, and no invoice number provided ever tied back to the original collection letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Complaint #15634552 about?
Complaint #15634552 was filed against Mccarthy, Burgess & Wolff, INC. regarding Debt collection specifically about Attempts to collect debt not owed. It was received by the CFPB on 2025-08-31T12:00:00-05:00.
How did Mccarthy, Burgess & Wolff, INC. respond to this complaint?
The company responded with: "Closed with explanation". The response was timely.
What is the risk level of this complaint?
See the risk assessment section for details on this complaint's risk profile.
How do I file a similar complaint?
You can file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Select the appropriate product category (Debt collection) and describe your issue in detail.
Can I see other complaints against Mccarthy, Burgess & Wolff, INC.?
Yes, visit the Mccarthy, Burgess & Wolff, INC. company profile at readthecomplaint.com/company/mccarthy-burgess-wolff-inc to see all complaints, risk scores, and analysis.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated based on publicly available CFPB complaint data. It does not constitute financial or legal advice.