Consumer complaint received 2023-05-31
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
I am writing to dispute a charge of ( {$330.00} ) to the credit account I had closed on XX/XX/2023. A new credit account was opened in my name ( XXXX XXXX ) by SYNCHRONY BANK after XX/XX/2023 for the charge of ( {$330.00} ). The charge ( s ) are in error because I did not authorize the following transaction ( s ).

I was a member with SYNCHRONY BANK for many years through two different companies ( Ashley Furniture Store and Sams Club ). I have made several transactions between both companies and have always paid my debt transactions in full. 
However, in XXXX, someone had made an unauthorized transaction with my credit account number through Sams Club. This prompted me to notify SYNCHRONY BANK back in XXXX of XXXX to inform them that the charge ( s ) were in error because I did not authorize the following transaction ( s ). I was told by a customer service technician back in XXXX of XXXX that I would not be responsible for the unauthorized transaction ( s ). I requested that my account be closed because it was clear that someone had my credit account number ; and I did not want my credit history to be tarnished. 
Towards the end of XX/XX/2023, I received another statement from SYNCHRONY BANK informing me that I owed {$140.00} by XX/XX/2023. I did not act on this information because I was assured by a customer service technician back on XX/XX/2023 from SYNCHRONY BANK that this matter had been resolved and the credit account had a XXXX balance. SYNCHRONY BANK took it upon themselves to open a new credit account in my name, XXXX XXXX, with the following charge ( s ) listed at the top of this paragraph. I did not authorize the opening of this new credit account ending in????. Towards the end of XX/XX/2023, I received another statement from SYNCHRONY BANK informing me that I owed {$190.00}. I asked a witness to stand in my place and speak to another customer service technician at SYNCHRONY BANK. The customer service technician assured this witness that ALL unauthorized transaction ( s ) would be cleared from the following account ending in????. The witness requested that this information be placed in an email form and sent to XXXX XXXX The customer service technician informed the witness that I had to wait fivXXXX days before requesting in writing that the credit account ending in???? had a XXXX balance and that the credit account was closed. On XX/XX/2023, I sent a typed letter to SYNCHRONY BANK. The letter was ATTN : To Billing Inquiries Division. The letter was sent to SYNCHRONY BANK, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, FL XXXX. I had included the prior conversation between their customer service technician and the witness. Also, I requested in the letter that SYNCHRONY BANK provide me proof in writing that the credit account ending in???? showed a XXXX balance and the credit account closed. 
Towards the end of XX/XX/2023, I received another statement from SYNCHRONY BANK informing me that I owed {$230.00}. And immediately after receiving the statement, I received a Letter of Collections informing me that I owed {$230.00}. Again, I did not react immediately because I sent a letter dated XX/XX/2023 and was waiting for an updated letter showing that this matter had been resolved. 
Towards the end of XX/XX/2023, I received another statement from SYNCHRONY BANK informing me that I owe {$220.00}. And immediately after receiving the statement, I received a Letter of Collections informing me that I owed {$220.00}. On XX/XX/2023, I called SYNCHRONY BANK and spoke with a customer service technician and while explaining the situation with her, she interrupted my conversation and asked me to hold. A new customer service technician took my call and I explained to her all the steps of communication that had taken place from XX/XX/2023 till XX/XX/2023. The customer service technician asked, What was the date of the transaction? I explained, The Transaction Details dated back from XX/XX/2023. The customer service technician asked me to hold. SYNCHRONY BANKS communications line was disconnected. 
On XX/XX/2023, I discovered The Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice. On XX/XX/2023, I called and spoke with a representative from this agency. I was informed to sit down and type out in detail all experiences that took place and put in a letter form. Also, I was informed to make sure that I sent all correspondence in an attachment file along with this letter for review.

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 monetary relief