Consumer complaint received 2023-10-12
Company: Kikoff Inc.
State: CT
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 KIKOFF LENDING LLC that I had no business relationship with. KIKOFF LENDING LLC was attempting to collect on a an alleged debt in the amount of {$66.00}. I have had my identity stolen and sent KIKOFF LENDING LLC a letter via certified mailXX/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 KIKOFF LENDING LLC account with the credit bureaus. KIKOFF LENDING LLC however continued reporting this fraudulent KIKOFF LENDING LLC account with the credit bureaus. I noticed KIKOFF LENDING LLC still reporting this fraudulent KIKOFF LENDING LLC account with the credit bureaus after I notified them about the identity theft. I then sent KIKOFF LENDING LLC a DEBT VALIDATION LETTER via certified mail XXXXXX/XX/2023 requesting the agreement between XXXX and myself and the original application for the account. KIKOFF LENDING LLC 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 ) KIKOFF LENDING LLC was required to cease collection efforts until the alleged debt was validated but failed to do so. KIKOFF LENDING LLC 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 KIKOFF LENDING LLC account XX/XX/2023 on my credit reports. I then sent KIKOFF LENDING LLC a FAILURE TO RESPOND letter via mail XX/XX/2023. KIKOFF LENDING LLC 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. KIKOFF LENDING LLC 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. KIKOFF LENDING LLC 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 ) KIKOFF LENDING LLC was required to cease collection efforts until the alleged debt was validated but failed to do so. KIKOFF LENDING LLC 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, KIKOFF LENDING LLC FAILED TO RESPOND to the DEBT VALIDATION LETTER within 30 days causing me to send a KIKOFF LENDING LLC letter via certified mail XXXX XXXX XXXX. KIKOFF LENDING LLC violated the FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681i by not validating the alleged debt within 30 days. I saw the fraudulent KIKOFF LENDING LLC 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