Consumer complaint received 2022-04-12
Company: CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
State: TX
Product: Payday loan, title loan, or personal loan
Sub-product: Installment loan
Issue: Improper use of your report
Sub-issue: Reporting company used your report improperly

Complaint:
This is a complaint regarding XXXX XXXX XXXX. On XX/XX/2022 a salesman named XXXX came to my door trying to sell me a security system. We talked for several minutes. He said that I would have to finance the equipment and that its a 5 year contract. I then asked him if anything would be added to my credit report. He said that it would be a soft inquiry to see if I qualified, but that nothing else would be reported. I specifically said I didnt want anything reported to my credit or else I did not want the system. I told him that I was not feeling well because XXXX XXXX XXXX at the time and that I did not feel comfortable making a big decision right then. He said I had 4 days to cancel if I didnt like the system. I agreed and then the technicians came to install the system and I turned them away because I really did not want to sign up under those conditions. XXXX  came back to my house after XXXX being so aggressive and offering to send me {$160.00} on XXXX XXXX. I went ahead and signed up for the system. He made me do video recordings agreeing to certain statements. The system was installed and they left. 

XXXX only gives their customers 3 days to cancel. Well credit reporting takes about 30 days so about 30 days later, I get a notification that a new account was added to my credit report for almost {$3000.00} for this security equipment. I called XXXX and asked them to cancel my account because I was lied to and pressured to sign up for this security system. Since I was told that the balance would not be reported to my credit, I assumed this would be like financing a cell phone or cable/internet equipment. Those things are also tied to a service but are not reported on your credit. I spoke with a supervisor named XXXX and explained everything. He said that I would have to pay off the equipment and then I could cancel. So he basically asked me to hand them almost {$3000.00} for some equipment I had for less than a month and then it would be useless at that point. 3 days or {$3000.00}???? This policy is essentially entrapment, and it is highly predatory against consumers. It should be against the law. 

The contract that I have is between myself and XXXX. Per section 20, this is the entire and only agreement between us. I was never given a contract or agreement with Citizens One XXXX. If ones exists then please send it to me. Per the purchase and service agreement, I authorized XXXX to pull my credit not Citizens one XXXX. It does not explicitly state that that I allow Citizens to report any balance owed on the equipment. The agreement is allowing XXXX to report to my credit about the payment history for services. Also, per the purchase and service agreement, this contract takes precedence over any prior verbal agreements so the videos you have of me agreeing to the system are not relevant or valid per said contract. 

Please cancel my service and return the funds you received from Citizens on my behalf so that I no longer owe Citizens or XXXX any money. I think the standard 30 day cancellation policy should be required. Complaints have been filed with the CFPB and XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation