ComplaintsforPeter Roberts and Associates, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  03/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  A man from ***************** a number I do not recognize called me to tell me he wanted to settle a debt. I asked him If he could have my healthcare provider call me because this doesn't seem correct. I said well I don't know who you are or if you're real. You could be a scam sitting in a basement in ***** he then interrupted me and said i'll mark you down as bad, I think and hung up on me. I hope they record those calls and you can listen back because it seems like he is more interested in being hostile and controlling a narrative of corruption of scamming people out of more money. I don't owe my healthcare provider any money. I see them monthly. I pay my bill monthly and was never given or told I had a balance.

  Business response

  03/20/2024

  The consumer has several accounts that were placed into collection with our agency in December 2023 by the original creditor ****** ****** (formerly ******* ******** ******* ******).  Our agency mailed an initial collection notice to the address provided by the original creditor on 12/5/2023.  The address matches what the consumer provided in this complaint.  The letter contained the required Federal and state consumer disclosures.  No response was received by the consumer, nor did the consumer reply that she was disputing the debt.  The mail was not returned to our office as undeliverable.  On 3/20/24 our associate called and reached the consumer by phone.  The associate noted the account that the consumer stated she refused to pay stating that she pays her bills because she has the app.  The collector tried to explain that these balances were not paid and placed with us by the original creditor.  The consumer stated that she will only deal with them and not our agency.  We will request itemization of the charges and mail them to the consumer.  The consumer is welcome to contact us after reviewing the information to make arrangements to resolve the outstanding balances.

• Initial Complaint

  02/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Dear PRA; I'm not aware of this company, and i've paid the original creditor since 2019 COMP. COMMUNITY ACTION P $576. I demand that this be deleted from my credit report effective today as I do not recognized this account, no knowledge and no prior contractual obligations with this company. You violated my rights rights under ******* codes sections **** d, e f g of ****/*****. Remove from my credit report. You violated ***** of the ***** by engaging in conduct that the natural consequences of which was to harass, oppress, and abuse client in connection with the collection of an alleged debt and the collection letter you sent me which contains veiled and empty threats of legal action;Y ou violated **** of the ***** by its use of any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt when you engaged in, at least, the following discrete violations of ****; You violated ****(2)(A) of the ***** with its false representation of the character, amount, or legal status of any debt and the collection letter you sent me which contains veiled threats of legal action against me, the client; You violated ****(5) of the ***** by its threat to take any action that cannot legally be taken or that is not intended to be taken when you sent me the collection letter contains veiled threats of legal action against me, the client; You violated ****(b) of the ***** by engaging in collection activities that overshadowed or was inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumers right to dispute the debt with the language it used in the Collection Letter; and You violated **** of the ***** by its use of unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt when you engaged in all of the misconduct alleged herein. As a result of the foregoing violations of the ***** on this matter, I demand an immediate deletion of this account from all credit reporting agency.

  Business response

  02/02/2024

  The consumer's account was placed with our agency by the original creditor, **** *************************************** on 10/23/2019.  Our initial notice containing the required Federal and state consumer disclosures was mailed on 10/24/2019. On 2/22/2020, our associate contacted the consumer at the telephone number provided by the original creditor. The consumer requested that we mail an itemization/bill of the charges. The account was then placed on hold and the requested information was mailed on 3/19/202. Between April-July our office attempted to communicate with the consumer by mailing several collection notices and telephone attempts. On 8/7/2020, our associate reached the consumer and was told that she had been sick. The consumer did not dispute the debt or provide any plan for paying the outstanding balance.  Our office will send an update to the credit bureaus that the consumer is now disputing the debt. A recent check with the original creditor has confirmed that the balance is still unpaid.  Additionally, the original creditor has stated that the insurance that the consumer provided at the time of service was inactive.  The consumer is welcome to contact our office to make arrangements to resolve the outstanding balance.

  Customer response

  02/06/2024

  Complaint:********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I am writing in response to the complaint filed against me regarding a medical collection account. I want to express my firm rejection of the resolutions proposed by the collection agency due to several concerns, including potential HIPAA violations, lack of knowledge about the debt in question, and violation of my consumer rights under the provisions and sections of**************.
  First and foremost, I must highlight that I have no recollection or knowledge of any ****** ****** ******* with **** *************************************** or any other entity. I am deeply troubled by the information provided by the collection agency, as it suggests a breach of patient privacy and confidentiality protected under the **************** ********************************************** I have not authorized the release of any medical information to a third-party collection agency, and I demand an immediate investigation into this matter to ensure compliance with ****** regulations.
  Furthermore, the dates and communications mentioned in the response do not align with any interactions or correspondence I have had regarding a medical debt. I have not received any itemization or bill of charges, nor have I been contacted by the collection agency prior to the date mentioned in the response. The lack of proper documentation and communication raises serious doubts about the validity of the debt being pursued.
  Given the potential ******************, the lack of substantiated evidence regarding the debt, and the violation of my consumer rights under ***************** I demand the immediate removal of this account from my credit report. I refuse to accept any proposed resolution that does not address these concerns and fails to provide adequate proof of the debt's legitimacy.
  I appreciate your attention to this matter and expect a thorough investigation into the issues raised. Please keep me informed of any developments and actions taken to resolve this dispute.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** Do ******

  Business response

  02/07/2024

  Our agency conducts all business matters in compliance with ****, the ****** **** and all Federal and state consumer protection laws.  We will mail the itemization of charges for a second time to the consumer to the address provided by the consumer.  We have conducted a reasonable investigation, as required by Federal law.  The original creditor has confirmed that all information is accurate and the balance remains unpaid.  The consumer can contact our office after reviewing the information to make arrangements to resolve the balance. This will be our final response to this complaint as we have fulfilled our obligation under both Federal and state consumer laws.

• Initial Complaint

  01/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am not liable for this debt with ***** ******* I do not have a contract with collection agency, and they did not provide a contract as requested. Furthermore, ***** ******** confirmed that I have a $0 balance.

  Customer response

  01/25/2024

  Attached are the accounts that are on my credit report. I have spoken with ***** ******** ****** and asked for more account information and they advised me that I have a 0 account balance 

  Business response

  01/25/2024

  The 3 accounts the consumer is disputing were placed with our agency by the original creditor, ******************** ******** *********.  The creditor is a separate entity with its own billing.  The consumer is referencing ******************** in the complaint.  The charges are not for ********************.  The 3 accounts were placed with us at different dates in 2022 and 2023. There are different dates for each service that was provided.  The consumer has previously disputed these charges through the credit bureaus.  After receiving notice of each dispute, our agency verified that the information was accurate on all accounts after conducting an investigation with the original creditor.  Additionally, our agency has reported a "disputed" status by the consumer to the national credit bureaus.  We will mail an itemization of charges to the consumer for the outstanding balances.  Once received and reviewed, the consumer is welcome to contact our agency to make arrangements to resolve the unpaid balances.

  Customer response

  01/25/2024

   
  Complaint:********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I have no services or balances with ***** ******** all my services with ***** have been paid for in full. Additionally, there is no signed contract with this company nor have I any involvement with them. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Business response

  01/25/2024

  I reiterate that the outstanding balances that have been placed with our agency are not for ***** ******** *****.  The original creditor is ****************************** ********.  They are a separate group and the customer would have received statements directly from their billing company.  The services were for the professional component (charges) for the emergency physicians that performed services for the respective service dates.  As I previously stated, we will mail out the itemization of the charges directly to the consumer for review.  The original creditor has verified that the charges are accurate and our agency has updated the credit bureaus to reflect that the consumer is disputing the balances.  This will be my final response to this complaint as we have fulfilled our obligations under both Federal and state consumer laws.

• Initial Complaint

  09/29/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The account is not mine and I asked them to validate the debt and they couldn't. I don't have a contract with Peter Roberts & Associates

  Customer response

  10/04/2023

  BBB spoke to the consumer to obtain clarification. She recently discovered on her credit report that there was a debt being reported by this Peter Robert's and Associates from 2020 in the amount of $876.00 on behalf of *********** ********* **********. To her knowledge she had made a payment arrangement, and has been making payments for a hospital visit she had during Covid in 2020. She is not familiar with this debt, or with Peter Robert's and Associates and she has never been contacted by Peter Robert's and Associates either by phone or by mail regarding this debt.

  Business response

  10/04/2023

  The consumer's account was placed with us in August 2020 by the original creditor ************ Physicians.  The $876 charge is for the professional services billed by the emergency physicians at ************************.  The consumer would also have received charges from the hospital which are separate from this debt and not handled through our office.  Our agency sent the first letter with the required state and federal consumer disclosures on 8/18/2020.  One of our associates spoke with the consumer who had promised to make payment on the account.  At no time did our office receive a dispute, either verbally or written from the consumer.  Our office will send verification of the debt and will also update the consumer's credit report to reflect the disputed status.  The consumer is welcome to call our office at ************** or write to us to make arrangements to resolve the outstanding balance once the information has been received and reviewed.

• Initial Complaint

  09/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Received a letter from Peter roberts and associates inc. I call them this morning 09/21/2023 8:54am tell them I dont owed any money from *******************and ********************* payment website and payment phone number are totally different from *******************. Also I am going to ******************* talk to the payment department, they say i have 0 balance. Also I use********************from beginning and now. I dont have any problems. The guy from Peter roberts & associates just said that I own the money and hand up the phone. Anyone can help me to solve the problem?

  Business response

  09/21/2023

  The account was placed with us on 8/30/2023 by the original creditor ************************************.  Our associate spoke with the consumer this morning and his notes state that the consumer refuses to pay, insisting that his services are free. Our associate also noted that the consumer did not want to let him speak.  The creditor we represent is not ******************** and is a private group that bills separately for professional charges for the emergency services that were provided.  We have noted that the consumer is disputing the balance and will inquire with the original creditor regarding the ** Health coverage the consumer states that he has had in place.  The attached statement that the consumer provided with the complaint is from the original creditor showing the past due amount owed and noting that the consumer did not respond to prior requests for payment.

  Customer response

  09/21/2023

   
  Complaint:***********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: As he said, that is not ******************** and it is a private group. However, I didnt use any private group services, and why do I have to pay that amount $648. Also, if it is not ******************** services why is the hospital name ********************, and as you can see, I got different bill, however it is a different account number, different provider, different date, but same amount $648. In the final notice the bill only shows $648. It is right? Also in the letter from Peter Roberts & Associates *** shows that the service performed by ***** *********************and account number is **********. So who did the services? Is it ********* ********************** or ********************** however, I didnt use those service. Why do I have to pay for it? One more thing what service does the private group do?
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************

  Business response

  09/21/2023

  This will be our final response regarding this complaint.  Again, the original creditor we represent is ***** ************** **************** or ****************** They are one in the same.  They are the emergency physicians that perform services at ***** **************.  The medical center bills separately for the use of the facility also known as the technical component of the charge.  The physicians are a private entity and bill for their "professional" services which is the $648 charge.  According to the creditor's statement that was sent to the consumer, they sent prior statements and made attempts to reach the consumer regarding the balance.  It appears the consumer had opportunity to inquire at that time if there was confusion or questions what the charges were for.  We have marked the account as "disputed by consumer" and will send an itemization of charges to the consumer. We have ceased active collection efforts at this time and the consumer is welcome to contact us to discuss further once the itemization of charges has been received.

• Initial Complaint

  05/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  In September 2022, ******* Hospital, which neglected to run my insurance when treating me earlier in the year, and which was supposed to be doing so at that time in the summer/fall 2022, sent my bill in error to Peter Roberts for collection. At that time ******** Hospital could do nothing for me. They said PRA was now supposed to run it through insurance. I spent September through December 2022 working with PRA trying to clarify that two separate invoices were billed to me by ******** Hospital on the day of the medical appointment (lab and office visit) and only one was run through insurance. At my first call in September they said they'd take care of it and I'd get a call back. When I didnt get a call, I called them. They insisted it had already been run through insurance, but they were looking at the office visit bill not the lab bill. They had me call my insurance company which I did and we tried to patch in PRA to no avail, twice. Hours of calls, being on hold, etc. Finally I got a hold of my agent and passed along the necessary info to him to finally formally run the invoice through insurance. I explained that there were 2 bills. Brad said he would call me back and never did. That was 12/21/22. PRA has sent no information through the mail since that time showing they took action. On 5/22/23 I received a demand notice giving me 10 days to pay. I have a right to have the original bill mitigated through my insurance. That's my right as a consumer with active medical insurance. These are the dates of the connected calls and voicemails left with Peter Roberts/Brad just for Oct-Dec. They always sent my calls to Brad even when I asked for someone else. Brad was rude and could not be convinced I was telling the truth. Rude is actually an understatement. 10/21 10/31 11/22 x2 12/7 x2 12/8 x2 12/9 x3 12/16 12/21 I emailed PRA on 5/22/23 and have not heard back. I would appreciate any help you can provide.

  Business response

  05/25/2023

  The original creditor ******** Hospital sent the consumer a self-pay discount for the amount owed on the service.  The consumer contacted the hospital stating that she had coverage in place.  The original creditor then sent the consumer a form requesting the insurance information which was not returned.  The original creditor placed the account with our agency on 8/20/2022.  The consumer called our office after receiving our initial notice stating that the original creditor told her to have our agency bill the insurance.  The original creditor, ******** Hospital bills all claims, and our agency does not submit claims on their behalf.  On 10/21/2022, our associate Brad telephoned the consumer who requested that we send her an itemization of the charges.  On 10/24/2022, we mailed the consumer the itemization of the charges.  On 10/31/2022, the consumer telephoned our office and spoke with Brad stating the itemization of charges was not good enough and that she would have her insurance company contact us about the balance.  On 11/1/2022 our agency mailed an insurance/waiver form to the consumer requesting the insurance information. On 12/8/2022, the consumer called our office and stated to Brad that she received the letter, however, because it did not have a self-addressed envelope, returned it to the hospital rather than to our agency.  On 12/16/2022, another insurance/waiver form was mailed to the consumer and on 12/21/2022 Brad advised the consumer of this when she called our office.  On 1/5/2023, our office received the signed insurance/waiver form and submitted it to the original creditor.  After following up with the original creditor, our office was advised that the claim was not eligible for submission based on its late filing status and had been moved to a self-pay balance with the applicable discount applied.  Our office has closed this account and returned it to the original creditor as disputed by consumer.

  Customer response

  05/26/2023

   
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  A) False information. I did return insurance info to ******** Hospital before the bill was sent to PRA.
  

  B) Incorrect that I felt an itemization of charges sent to me in October was "not good enough." What he told me was "we have already run it through your insurance and here is the self pay discount." I attempted to explain repeatedly to Brad over many weeks and many calls that there were two separate bills that day and the lab bill in question was clearly not run through insurance. He repeatedly argued with me on this.
  
  C) if PRA can't run insurance, why wasn't I told that in September 2022 when I first called you? Instead PRA said they'd run it and get back to me in 6 weeks. Why wasn't I given an insurance information request form until much later in the fall?

  
  D) If you were informed by my insurance in January 2023 that it was too far from the service date to use insurance, why was I not informed?

  
  E) If you have "closed my case and sent it back to ******** Hospital as 'disputed by customer'," why was I not notified? Where is my copy of your correspondence with my insurance company? **If the account is closed, why did you send me a demand notice this week?***

  F) If in September you had given me the complete and correct informstion, I wouldn't be having to pay $163.

  Sincerely,
  ***************

  Business response

  05/26/2023

  The original creditor informed our office on 5/25/2023 that they would be writing off the balance in question and not holding the consumer responsible.  The account has been closed by our office and the consumer will not be receiving any further communications regarding this account.

  Customer response

  05/30/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID***************, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  **** *****

• Initial Complaint

  05/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I just received a notice of collections from them for a debt I don't owe. They are claiming I was at "CONCORD HOSPITAL" on 12/27/2022. I was never at "CONCORD HOSPITAL" and had no reason to be in a hospital in the whole year of 2022.

  Business response

  05/05/2023

  We have flagged the account as disputed by consumer and will validate the debt with the original creditor.  Once that information is obtained, we will mail it to the consumer.

• Initial Complaint

  02/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  11/2021 I am not liable for this debt with PETER ROBERTS &ASSOCIATION INC and do not have a contract with Peter Roberts & association inc they did not provide me with the original application like I asked or any documents that's prove that this is my account , Thank you for looking into this

  Business response

  02/27/2023

  The consumer's account was placed with our agency on 11/13/2021.  Our first notice, containing the proper Federal and state consumer disclosures, was mailed to the consumer to the address provided by the original creditor on 12/21/2021.  Between December 2021 and April 2022, several notices were mailed to the consumer along with telephone messages to the telephone number provided by the original creditor.  No response was received to any communications from our agency..  Additionally, no written or oral requests for additional documentation were received by our office.  Our agency has updated the credit reporting status to indicate that the consumer is disputing the outstanding balance.  Our agency will also mail the validation of debt as requested by the consumer.  Once the consumer receives the information and has a chance to review it, he can contact us at 1-888-473-6661 or write to us to resolve the outstanding balance.

  Customer response

  02/27/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *******

• Initial Complaint

  10/21/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  *************** is assigned to my issue. I call to find out if an itemized bill has been sent for ALL the owed amounts. As of today, I have only received one itemized bill, but am told there are more, however I have no way of knowing. In addition to not being able to verify the amounts, I am also not able to pay because I have no associated account numbers. I would very much like to pay. I asked for itemized billing and immediately asked for the rest of bills once I realized only one was sent to me. I have tried to be patient, and have called this organization multiple times per week. This is a waste of my resources, because no one calls me back and I dont know how to proceed. *************** told me he would send me the rest of the bills but I still dont have them. I feel as though he is intentionally ignoring me. Its more than just a feeling though - it is a matter of fact, since no call is returned. Will look to pursue the issue further with the appropriate federal agencies. I also sent an email early in October regarding the matter, with no reply.. again, reiterating my interest in paying!!

  Business response

  10/26/2022

  The consumer has three health care accounts that have been placed with our agency.  On 9/22/22, we mailed out the itemization of charges for one of the bills totaling $334.44 to the consumer.  On 10/13/22, we received notification of insurance adjustments that were made by the provider's billing company. The bill totaling $334.44 was closed by our agency with a zero balance.  We received the consumer's email on 10/11/22 requesting itemizations for all amounts placed with our agency. We have requested this information and it will be mailed to the consumer upon receipt.  No additional collection action is being taken on the remaining two accounts which are on hold.  We have expedited the request for the itemization of charges for the two open balances with the provider's billing company.  On 10/24/22, the consumer left a voicemail for our associate ***. *** returned the call and explained that we have received his correspondence and the information is forthcoming from the provider's billing company.  On 10/21/22, we received confirmation from the billing company that they will be forwarding the requested information to our office. The consumer also filed a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which we responded to on 10/21/22. 

• Initial Complaint

  04/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I paid off a debt that peter roberts and associates was collecting on in 2020. But the debt with a $0 balance is still being reported on my credit report. I have sent many emails to them asking for it to be removed and two years later it is still there. I have attached the receipt when I paid the debt two years ago and my most recent credit report with it still on there.

  Business response

  04/27/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/04/26) */ Our agency reports to the 3 national credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. The information was previously expunged from the bureaus according to the system notes. Our agency does not report to Credit Karma or any other third party. The original creditor authorized the removal of 4 accounts that were placed with our agency in 2016 and 2017. We have submitted an electronic request to the three bureaus via the e-OSCAR gateway. The consumer should see that all information has been expunged within 48-72 hours. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/04/26) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)

*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. ↩