Consumer complaint received 2017-05-05
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: MD
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Information belongs to someone else

Complaint:
XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   : My mother, the sole debtor, passed away.       XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   : I phoned her creditors to notify them of her death. My initial contact with   XXXX   XXXX   was with  XXXX , who then forwarded the call to  XXXX   XXXX . I was instructed by  XXXX   XXXX  to send a copy of my mothers death certificate.       XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   : I mailed a letter with the death certificate enclosed to the  XXXX , NY address instructed by  XXXX   XXXX . Included in the letter was my declaration that my mother did not leave a  Will,  had no assets solely in her name, and an  Estate  would not be opened. I also stated she did not have a co-signer, and by law, her survivors, including myself, are not legally obligated to pay her debt.       XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   :   XXXX   XXXX   addressed a letter to my mother, requesting payment. Similar notices had been received from other creditors, which I was told to ignore. I assumed, as with other creditors, their records had not been updated. Therefore, I ignored the letter.     Note : According to the last statement received, the balance was {$2500.00}. The closing date was   XXXX  ,  one we ek prior to my mothers death. However, the amount shown on the letter dated   XXXX   XXXX   was {$3900.00}, a difference of {$1400.00}. My mother did not leave the house during her final week alive. I find such a substantial increase very suspect. However, since the debt would  be discharged,  I didnt consider it an issue worth fighting.     Unknown Date in   XXXX   XXXX   : Someone in the employ of   XXXX   XXXX  , submitted an adverse credit report, in the form of a credit card charge-off, in my name. I have no idea how they obtained my SS #. I have never applied for credit with their company. Nor have I received notification of credit established with their company, a statement of charges, or demand for payment.     Their negative action was done without my knowledge, and without notification of their intent to damage my credit. Moreover, they failed to make even  one de mand for payment, from myself, or any of my mothers survivors. All statements and letters requesting payment were addressed exclusively to my mother.     In my letter dated   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX  , I explicitly stated the debt would not be paid by myself or other survivors. Having also handled my late fathers affairs following his death, I am well-aware of the unscrupulous tactics used by some companies to try to intimidate survivors to pay the debts of their loved ones. For this reason, I felt it was necessary to inform her creditors that payment would not be made. Regardless, having no arrangement between   XXXX   XXXX   and myself, their adverse actions against my credit is a flagrant violation of  Federal law.        XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   :   XXXX   XXXX   addressed a letter to the  Estate  of,  c/o Next of Kin.  The letter was a demand for payment for the balance on the account ; which, as previously stated, was substantially higher than the balance on the last statement.     A  Notarized Proof of Claim,  filed on the same date, was also enclosed. Both the letter and Notarized Proof of Claim were signed by   XXXX   XXXX  , a   XXXX   XXXX    representative.       XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   : While finalizing all pending issues related to my mothers affairs, I contacted   XXXX   XXXX   by phone to inquire about the letter and Notarized Proof of Claim dated   XXXX   XXXX   XXXX  . I reiterated an  Estate would  not be opened.     I was instructed by   XXXX   XXXX   to disregard the letter and  Notarized Proof of Claim.   He stated they were simply a legal formality, and the debt would be e discharged. I   considered it rather strange for a company to have a document notarized for filing with the court against a non-ex istent Estate, simpl y as a legal formality. However, in good faith, I accepted his word.     I assume, in his position, he was privy to the fact that the company had already submitted a charge-off damaging my credit. However, he did not mention the adverse action.     It is absolutely mind-boggling that a company would charge-off an account in   XXXX  . Then, in   XXXX  , issue a letter demanding payment, accompanied by a  Notarized Proof of Claim filed against a non-existent Estate. However, that is precisely what transpired. Unfortunately, I was oblivious to their negative cr edit report until the latter part of   XXXX   XXXX  .       XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   : During a financial transaction requiring a review of my credit history, I discovered the erroneous adverse action by   XXXX   XXXX  . I immediately contacted   XXXX   XXXX  . I spoke with  XXXX , explaining the error and requesting to have the adverse info removed from my credit report.     After a review of my mothers account, he stated there was no record of my name. He then asked if he could check using my SS #, which I provided. He returned to the phone and stated again that my name was not in their system.     I then asked how it is possible for   XXXX   XXXX   to submit adverse info to damage my credit, if there is no record of my name in their system. He said he had no explanation. I was then instructed to submit a request in writing, via fax, to the  Correspondence Department  at   XXXX   XXXX  . He then gave me the fax number, which I repeated to him for verification.     I then decided to contact    XXXX   XXXX   , given that he was the individual who had filed the  Notarized Proof of Claim  against my mothers non-existent  Estate.      I was flippantly informed by   XXXX   XXXX   that there was nothing he could do to resolve the matter. After a rather unpleasant exchange, he stated I must send a letter to the  Correspondence D epartment, as they alone could handle the issue.       XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   : I faxed and mailed a letter explaining the error, demanding resolution. I included copies of all pertinent correspondence. I also explained the urgency of having this issue resolved, and advised if the problem was not handled expeditiously, I would file a formal complaint with the FTC and MD and PA States Attorneys.     However, after forwarding the letter to a law firm friend, I was advised if this situation is not resolved, I should first file a complaint with your organization.       XXXX   XXXX   XXXX   : I contacted   XXXX   XXXX   to inquire about the status of my request, and asked to speak with the  manager of the Correspondence Dep artment. I was then asked the nature of the call, which I explained. I was then asked to provide my mothers full name, address, phone number, date of birth, last  four  digits of her SS #, and my name. I provided all requested info.     I was then placed on hold for a rather lengthy period. I assume the wait was due to a discussion of my case between the individual I spoke with and the  Correspondence Dept . So, I patiently waited.     The female I spoke with did not return. Rather, the next person on the phone said, Hello, I am  XXXX . How  may I assist y ou? I requested to speak with the  manager of  the  Correspondence Dept. He  said, Youll have to contact them in writing. I then explained that I had already sent a letter and other documents to their department, and would like to know the status of my request.     I was then informed that I could not speak with the  XXXX  Department, they only respond to written correspondence. I again tried to explain my dilemma, and that I had in fact contacted them in writing. He again refused to forward the call.     I then said,  XXXX , what is your last name? He arrogantly replied, Im not giving you my last name. I then asked if   XXXX   XXXX   is the  CFO . He stated he is. Angrily, I then said, Thank you,  XXXX .  Goodbye.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation