Consumer complaint received 2023-10-09
Company: SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC.
State: IN
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
I noticed an account on my credit reports from a company called SANTANDER CONSUMER USA that I never had any business relationship with. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA was attempting to collect on a an alleged debt in the amount of {$15000.00}. I have had my identity stolen and sent SANTANDER CONSUMER USA a letter via certified mail XX/XX/2023 notifying them about this fraudulent account including a copy of my Identity Theft report asking them to please delete the fraudulent account from my credit reports. I also disputed this fraudulent SANTANDER CONSUMER USA account with the credit bureaus. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA however continued reporting this fraudulent SANTANDER CONSUMER USA account with the credit bureaus. XX/XX/2023 I noticed SANTANDER CONSUMER USA still reporting this fraudulent SANTANDER CONSUMER USA account with the credit bureaus. I then sent SANTANDER CONSUMER USA a DEBT VALIDATION LETTER via certified mail XX/XX/2023 requesting the agreement between SANTANDER CONSUMER USA and myself and the original application for the account. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA violated the FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( d ) by failing to provide the evidence requested after being notified about the identity theft. FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) states .... a business entity that has provided credit to, provided for consideration products, goods, or services to, accepted payment from, or otherwise entered into a commercial transaction for consideration with, a person who has allegedly made unauthorized use of the means of identification of the victim, shall provide a copy of application and business transaction records in the control of the business entity, Pursuant to the FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) SANTANDER CONSUMER USA was required to cease collection efforts until the alleged debt was validated but failed to do so. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA continued reporting the alleged debt to the credit bureaus in its attempts to collect on the alleged debt thereby violating the FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ). I saw the fraudulent SANTANDER CONSUMER USA account XXXX, XXXX and XX/XX/2023 on my credit reports. I then sent SANTANDER CONSUMER USA a FAILURE TO RESPOND letter via certified mail XX/XX/2023. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA violated the FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 2 ) In its attempt to collect on an alleged debt by falsely representing the character, amount, or legal status of any debt. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA violated the FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692f In their attempts to collect on the alleged debt by collecting an amount that was not expressly authorized by an agreement creating the debt or permitted by law. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA violated the FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) by not ceasing collection efforts until the debt was validated. Case law is well settled that reporting an alleged debt to the credit reporting agencies is " an attempt to collect on a debt ''. Pursuant to the FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) SANTANDER CONSUMER USA was required to cease collection efforts until the alleged debt was validated but failed to do so. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA continued reporting the alleged debt to the credit bureaus in its attempts to collect on the alleged debt thereby violating the FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ). Additionally, SANTANDER CONSUMER USA FAILED TO RESPOND to the DEBT VALIDATION LETTER within 30 days causing me to send a FAILURE TO RESPOND letter via certified mail XX/XX/2023. SANTANDER CONSUMER USA violated the FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681i by not validating the alleged debt within 30 days. I saw the fraudulent SANTANDER CONSUMER USA account XX/XX/2023 on my credit reports and it is still there as of this filing.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief