Consumer complaint received 2023-08-14
Company: SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC.
State: NJ
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: I do not know
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
I became aware about XXXX XXXX, XXXX, that Santander Bank opened an unauthorized account in my name in violation of the Truth in Lending Act. 
I did NOT sign contract and did NOT activate unrequested card XXXX, destroyed on arrival unused. 
Santander used card XXXX at least three times in defiance of multiple certified cease-and-desists and with knowledge it has no authority to post any charges to XXXX. It never has sent me a single statement. 
The bank resurrected in violation of the Fair Credit Billing Act an unauthorized charge from XX/XX/XXXX to XXXX that was fully credited and vendor confirmed refund ( see attached ) that was made one day later. Per Santander rep XXXX on or about XXXX XXXX in a phone call I audio-recorded, that credit became final when XXXX closed. 
I sent Santander Chief Legal Counsel XXXX XXXX certified letter dated XX/XX/XXXX, outlining his banks many legal violations. A month later, his automated email reply promised investigation and resolution. 
With no reply, despite XXXX assurance the bank is investigating these legal issues, I followed up by phone on XXXX XXXX, XXXX, with XXXX assigned case agent, an apparent comm grad, not a lawyer. 
He demanded payment from me plus hundreds of dollars in phony late fees and daily interest -- in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. He did not object when I disclosed I audio-recorded the call with intent to share it. 
He insisted that he will reply to me only through a woman in Minnesota. I told him repeatedly I do NOT know that woman. 
To prove to me shes your lawyer from an auto-lending firm, he emailed me her letter. Shes just a customer who Santander has similarly wronged. He adds two violations of customers privacy rights to Santanders long list of legal violations. He referred to at least two other data points irrelevant to either of our complaints as reason for dunning me, so he may be conflating at least four wronged consumers. 
As I protested Santanders capricious behavior, he ranted to the effect, You cant buy furniture, keep it and falsely report it as an unauthorized purchase. I told him the zombie {$63.00} confirmed as refunded XX/XX/XXXX and credit final by XXXX XXXX to XXXX was neither furniture nor auto lending, nor even a product ( it alleged nonexistent future service ). He persisted in more elaborate gaslight, then hung up. 
Santanders spokesman may have conflated disparate complaints in preparing to bundle and sell to a third-party debt collector these debts that Santander knows by substantiation and testimony are illegitimate. If so, Santander would fulfill its malicious vow to harass me if I dont relent to its extortion, while laundering that illegal harassment from its hands. 
Isnt selling debt thats already proved to be fake a criminal act? 
I sincerely believe this matter warrants criminal referral. This is new, and It affects more than only me.

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 explanation