Consumer complaint received 2023-10-25
Company: Affirm Holdings, Inc
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX  I was a victim of a XXXXXXXX scammer who called to confirm XXXX purchases on my account.This scammer knew my XXXX XXXX account info, was very polite, knew XXXX customer service protocol. He claimed he worked with me to remove these fraudulent purchases and to do so obtained the last four of my ssn, a picture of my California drivers license, a picture of me and texted verification codes all as he claimed to verify my identity while he worked to remove charges to my account. In retrospect it appears that the verification information I provided was used to steal my identity and open 3 fraudulent loans with Affirm Holdings. I contacted XXXX XXXX directly later that day to confirm removal of charges and was informed I was scammed. They took a report of the encounter and encouraged me to file a police report that day, which I did. Report XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Police station in California with XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/23 as well.I placed credit freeze and fraud alert across all three credit bureau ps on XXXX 

I reviewed my email account and looked for emails regarding any mention of new accounts and discovered emails from Affirm Holdings and XXXX. I contacted both companies on XXXX XXXXnforming them of theft of my identity and that any loans, credit cards etc initiated from XXXX  were not done so by me and that I was a victim of a XXXX XXXX scammer and subsequent identity theft.I also contacted XXXX XXXX who furnishes XXXX XXXX XXXX to inform of identity theft. 

For Affirm, I was directed by website to utilize their dispute resolution form, which I did, indicating what was stated above. I received a response on XXXX XXXXndicating that accounts with my name would be flagged and an investigation would be done and it would take up to 30 days. Beginning XXXX I began receiving emails from affirm about loan accounts, then accounts being overdue. Later that month I began receiving daily debt collection phone calls. I had yet to hear or be contacted by Affirm on their internal investigation. On XX/XX/ I sent an email inquiring as to status of investigation, reiterating that I was an identity theft victim and that I did not initiate any business with their company. I also asked to stop emails and debt collection phone calls. I provided the police report number, officer name and location and recommended also reaching out to XXXX XXXX  fraud dept. 

On XX/XX/ a loan from Affirm for {$810.00} initiated on XXXX  ( 3 days after I informed them of identity theft and me not initiating any business with them ) showed up on my credit report. I immediately contacted Affirm customer care spoke with supervisor XXXX XXXX who informed me that they determined from their own investigation that I was liable for not only this loan but 2 others initiated on the same day XX/XX/. I was livid, I was never contacted during alleged internal investigation nor informed of this decision. 
Three identify theft loans as provided by Affirm supervisor are : XXXX XXXX XXXX {$810.00} with mthly installment of {$270.00} over 3 months Loan XXXX XXXX XXXX  {$910.00} with mthly installment of {$200.00} over 3 months XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. {$810.00} with mthly installment of {$270.00} over 3 months. 

I have enclosed the correspondences with Affirm to get these loans and liability for them removed. Affirm has been dodgey and been infrequent in emails on rectifying this, but is persistent in emails and phone calls about overdue payments. The latest email stated that despite ongoing dispute that I was responsible to pay the loan payments and all interests that accrued during the possible 90 day investigation period, ( which is second investigation since XXXX XXXX 

On XXXX  I reported my identity theft to the FTC also informing them of poor response and assistance from Affirm beyond being predatory for payments.Ref XXXX XXXX 

I have disputed these Affirm accounts through XXXX Identity Theft protection and XXXX and awaiting resolution. 

I would like to bring light to the questionable and somewhat predatory and harassing tactics of Affirm Holdings to a victim of identity theft who did her due diligence. I know that I am not alone in dealing with this companys trauma inducing tactics. 

I request that all fraudulent loans opened with my identity be closed, with no liability to me and removed from my credit report. Stop all emails and phone calls for debt collection. 

Secondly I request the CFPB really take a closer and thorough look at the policies and practices of Affirm Holdings LLC. Someone needs to do something about this predatory company.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation