As a single parent (father of two girls) I was granted permission by court to move out of state from New Jersey to Georgia. However, it was required that I place children in a school system that meets courts higher ranking ratings. Representative from Crown and the Crown website both confirmed that the property of interest advertised by Crown falls in that category rating of the school. Base on that we mobilize from New Jersey by trucking and took possession of the property only to learn next day that this was false advertising and misrepresentation. The school of interest was not in the zone of the property advertised by Crown. When this was shared with Crown they apologized, and appeared to be co-operative when I advise them that I would have to vacate or I risk my status with court order. I gave them appropriate notice telling them that I will be vacating as soon as I have alternate residence identified and admission confirmed in the school of interest processed. I continued with payment of all rental dues on time. However, Crown did not show-up at the check out for turn over of keys. And though I paid all rental dues, Crown hit me with a large bill of $7,000 made up of all kind of highly inflated excuses. This include administrative charges, cleaning services charges (though house was professionally cleaned and left in better then found condition), legal and collection fee (though no attempts were made for legal or collection attempts at that point) and consequential damages (though I was victimized by them and should be the one demanding consequential damages).

I hired a law firm to represent me with them and on January 25th, 2006 by my law firm send a letter in respond to their letter of December 29th, 2005. The letter made clear my position on important points related to fraudulent false advertisement by Crown. Regardless of Crown’s questionable ethics, our letter offered a $2,000 settlement. However, upon receipt of the letter Crown took a silent position for total of 9 months. Never responded in writing or verbally to the law firm or to me. Though the matter was in dispute with a settlement offer pending, Crown recklessly enlisted me to “Equifax” posting me as bad credit. This wrongful action by Crown has been very damaging to me and hurt him in many ways:

a. Dropping my credit rating significantly and making it difficult for him to get any external services, do any business, or obtain personal loans.
b. Hindering me from obtaining outside offers of employment since most employers check credit ratings these days and negative ratings posted by Crown (via Equifax) are hurting Mr. Butt professionally.

Their silent treatment for nine months and than a follow-up again with unwilling and non co-operative attitude with a threat to take me to court is harassment. Now they also have collection agencies chasing me.

At this point I am left with no choice but to do the following:
* File complaint with Federal Trade Commission as a violation of the fair credit reporting act section 623
* Filing against Crown Management with Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs; O.C.G.A. Section 10-1-390 et seq

I can use some advise. I also need help in restoring my credit with credit reporting agencies.