Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/06/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Regarding the $150 penalty fee that I cant afford to pay, I borrowed enough from a relative to pay it plus the vehicle taxes, (still of which I dont think I should have to pay because its NOT MY fault that only one notice is sent out and I didnt even receive that one after moving out of state), I called that collection company, to pay $313.47, and now theyre telling me that its going to be an additional $15 for payment over the phone or online, PLUS their fee of $67. They waited 2 years to contact me, after Beaufort County started charging the fee in February and the first phone call I received was in April 2024, and because it was an unknown phone number, I didnt answer it, thinking it was a scam call. The collection company has my address from 10 years ago, and I let him know that, and was told that its the address *************** has, but after checking the website, what he said was incorrect. If I absolutely have to pay the $150 fee, with hesitation, I will, but because I didnt know about the taxes, or they would have been paid on time, but that $67 is absolutely ridiculous. I let them know that I am on permanent disability and my only income from SSD ($1539 before insurance ($175), is there anything they can do to waive their fee).

  Business Response

  Date: 07/12/2024

  Good afternoon, 

  Our office collects delinquent taxes on behalf of the county. We are not authorized to settle on the balance due. The penalty due is $62.69 not $150.00. 
  The fee for an online eCheck is $1.00 and is charged by the payment processor. There is the option of mailing the payment to our office for no additional fee. 
  We also offer payment plan options if you are unable to pay the balance in full. 
  
  Thank you, 

  ********;

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/12/2024

  I was told that I would need to pay $313.47 to *************** which includes a $150 penalty. I was Unwillingly, but was going to do it anyway, pay that amount. But when I called the collection company on 6/25/24, I was told that I would have to pay the $313.47 plus $15 fee for paying over the phone plus a $67 fee to the collection company of which I refused to pay them. I am willing to pay the $313.47 only, Especially since the collection company waited two years to even let me know It was owed. Thats not my fault and as I also mentioned to Beaufort County, if I had received the original bill for $163. I would have called within the week and paid it immediately But American financial credit did not reach out to me until 2024. 
  please see attached the bill that is showing on Beaufort County tax website.. The reply from the company and the figures that I received from the collection company dont add up so somebody needs to get it straight and I will pay what I owe Beaufort.. Plus, the $1 fee. I do not want to pay in installments. I want this paid now so that I never have to deal with that company ever again. They Were rude and very condescending which was unprofessional. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/15/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]

  I was told that I would need to pay $313.47 to *************** which includes a $150 penalty. I was Unwillingly, but was going to do it anyway, pay that amount. But when I called the collection company on 6/25/24, I was told that I would have to pay the $313.47 plus $15 fee for paying over the phone plus a $67 fee to the collection company of which I refused to pay them. I am willing to pay the $313.47 only, Especially since the collection company waited two years to even let me know It was owed. Thats not my fault and as I also mentioned to Beaufort County, if I had received the original bill for $163. I would have called within the week and paid it immediately But American financial credit did not reach out to me until 2024. 
  please see attached the bill that is showing on Beaufort County tax website.. The reply from the company and the figures that I received from the collection company dont add up so somebody needs to get it straight and I will pay what I owe Beaufort.. Plus, the $1 fee. I do not want to pay in installments. I want this paid now so that I never have to deal with that company ever again. They Were rude and very condescending which was unprofessional. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************

  
  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/17/2024

  The county did not place the account in our office until this year which is why you are receiving notification from our office of the delinquent taxes in 2024. Unfortunately, we are not able to settle on this delinquent balance. 

   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/18/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined the response would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 
  
  [Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]

  This response from the company does not address my question as to, why are the figures different from the reply in the previous email and the figures that I received from the collection company. I was told by AFCS that I supposedly owe $313 plus $15 fee for payment over the phone , plus their fee of $67,  but the email reply to my complaint states that there is only a $1 fee, plus $62 instead of $150. I would like to find out EXACTLY why AFCS is telling me one amount and the reply says something completely different. There's a big difference in the 2 totals. This has me concerned as to where the difference in the amounts are going. As I said previously, with the discrepancy in totals between the agency and the reply from the ************* makes me even more concerned and I am hesitant to pay anything except the $313 to *************** plus the $1 fee for paying over the phone or online. With regards to the delinquent taxes and the company fee, $62, $67, or whatever it is, Im pretty sure its at the companies discretion whether they CAN or CANT waive it. Especially since it doesnt look very professional when Im being told (2) different amounts from the agency and their company. 

  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************