Consumer complaint received 2022-02-25
Company: Keynote Consulting, Inc.
State: IL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
Keynote Consultant agreed on the XXXX XX/XX/XXXX to remove a charge off that was due to fraud from my account which they did with every intention on transferring this trade to a debt lawyer that works hand in hand with this deceptive and rogue company. The two enterprises target XXXX and poor people in XXXX XXXX Il. 
1. On the XXXX of XX/XX/XXXX I receive mail from 2 law firms informing me that I being sued for a credit card debt. 
2. After research I found out that Key note consultant lied and transferred the fraudulent debt to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, IL XXXX Phone # XXXX 3. I immediately called XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and spoke with XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX located in XXXX XXXX Illinois at XXXX and she confirmed to me that Keynote Consultant was handing this account. Mind you that this was a recorded phone conversation. I explained to her that I had filed a complaint in XXXX and this account was removed from my credit files due to fraud, and she acknowledge that she knew that it was reported as fraud. 
4. I called Keynote consultant to find out what was going and asked why would they trade an account that was fraud and they immediately rushed me off the phone and gave me the number to XXXX XXXX, which I already had. 
5. Called XXXX XXXX spoke with XXXX the Owner and explained that the account was removed from my credit file by keynote consultant due to fraud. XXXX was surprised to know that Keynote had illegally traded an account to them without disclosing that they had agreed after consulting with XXXX to remove the fraud account from credit file. I spoke with XXXX and I agreed to send him a copy of the report from CFPB dated XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, displaying that they ( Keynote and XXXX  ) agreed upon to remove the item from my credit report on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. 
Therefore Keynote deceptively and illegally transferred the trade to their go to deceptive attorney. Mind you that the FTC have sued many collection agencies for this same type of deceptive practices became they prey on the poor XXXX  and XXXX people. 
6. I also filed an official complaint with the FTC Report # XXXX. 
7. This entity KeyNote Consultant is operating a fraudulent enterprise by working with a shady collections attorney and preying on poor XXXX and XXXX people throughout the state of Illinois. Besides that they have no integrity and fail to take ownership for their lies. They operate as though they are not afraid of breaking federal laws. 
8. They are in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and they also believe that they are above the Law. I also filing a claim with the Illinois Attorney General because I am a XXXX Veteran and they are lying, deceptive collectors trying to illegally deceive a XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
9. Please evaluate and assist me in filing a Federal Lawsuit with the FTC and Illinois Attorney General so that we can put an end to these deceptive ways in which Keynote consultant operated in Illinois. They are flooding the courts and taking advantage of the less fortunate, poor people, and people of color in the state of Illinois. 
10. I requested a debt verification letter last year and they failed to send a proper one to me. This organization is in dire need of an investigation by some one that is willing to reach out to them. They tend to feed CFPB A bunch eye wash because they know that you don't have the power to stop them and their deceptive practices. 
I ask that you take a deep dive into the way in which this shady and deceptive enterprise operate in the State of Illinois. Please forward this report to the FBI, FTC, US Attorney, and Illinois Attorney General.

Company public response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation