Consumer complaint received 2023-03-12
Company: Allied International Credit Corp., (US)
State: OK
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
This is a complaint report evolving from the unauthorized use of elements of my identity to offer for sale a XXXX XXXX XXXX Automobile on XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX ) resulting in a {$95.00} charge to my XXXX account which has been turned over to a collection agency [ Allied International Credit Corp. , ( US ), XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, VA XXXX ]. 
For several years I have had an account with XXXX through which I have purchased several small items that have been available for purchase on XXXX. I have never offered on XXXX, any item for sale and I have never been in possession of a XXXX XXXX XXXX automobile. However, a {$95.00} charge related to the offer of the sale of a XXXX XXXX XXXX automobile was placed on my XXXX account, and that charge has now been turned over to a collection agency. I was advised through a Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX  email from XXXX as follows : Your XXXX account has been temporarily locked due to concerns that someone may have used it without your permission. Any unauthorized activity, such as buying and selling, has been cancelled and any associated fees have been credited to your account. If you incurred any additional fees after we took action to protect your account, you may receive an invoice to your email. Contact us, and well take care of you. I had no activity with XXXX at least a year preceding the unauthorized use of my account, nor have I had any purchasing since. So, how could I have incurred a {$95.00} charge? 
When I began receiving notices that I owed {$95.00}, and if I did not make the payment, it would be turned over to a collection agency, I attempted to contact XXXX. I made several attempts to communicate with XXXX, but was only able to reach an automated telephone system through which I could not determine how to reach a live person to discuss the fact that I was told in an email that my account would receive a credit for any fraudulent activity related to my account ; but yet I was receiving notices that my account would be sent to a collection agency if I did not make the {$95.00} payment. 
I filled a complaint with the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX of XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX ) in which I asked for an investigation of fraudulent account use. XXXX publicized that it has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and I was wanting the Business Ethics Officer or the XXXX Legal Department to conduct an investigation of fraudulent use of my XXXX account. The XXXX response to my complaint with the XXXX  was that in order for XXXX to look into the matter further, I would need to contact XXXX to verify my account. I was finally able to reach an XXXX Team Member and provide the account verification information requested, as well as what had occurred with my account. 
On Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email from XXXX stating : Thanks for getting back to us with the information we requested. Weve reinstated your account. Then, on Friday, XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email from XXXX stating : Our records show that we are owed money from you for fees and expenses you have incurred as a result of selling activity conducted on XXXX. I have continued to receive the notices monthly until I received collection correspondence ( dated XX/XX/XXXX ) from Allied International Credit Corp. , ( US ).

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation