Consumer complaint received 2021-07-28
Company: Mid-Atlantic Finance Co., Inc.
State: GA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Auto debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
I submitted ( via certified mail ) a request to validate a debt from MID ATLANTIC FINANCE COMPANY, in regards to the fraudulent account that is being reported to creditors. Per the FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, I have the right to request and receive validation of said debt. Therefore, I asked MID ATLANTIC FINANCE to please provide me with a copy of all the following : 1 ) An explanation of what this alleged account balance is for. 
2 ) A calculation of this balance, including the complete payment history on this account, so I have proof that the amount is correct. 
3 ) Documentation that shows I agreed to pay this debt with my signature. 
4 ) The Agreement that grants you authority to collect on this alleged debt. 
5 ) A copy of your state license, including license number that give you rights to collect in my state. 

***This request arrived to MID ATLANTIC FINANCE on XX/XX/XXXX. 
This is the tracking number for the mailed dispute : XXXX. 
The fraudulent account in question, is MID ATLANTIC FINANCIAL ( Auto ) *** MID ATLANTIC responded to my request via USPS mail on XXXX XXXX. MID ATLANTIC presented documents from XXXX XXXX XXXX, including a Retail Installment Sales Contract, and the Loan Payment History. 

Upon review of the Retail Installment Sales Contract I found several blank signature spaces, as well as a forged/misspelled signature of my name. MID ATLANTIC claims to be the assignee, however both the ASSIGNMENT, and THIRD PARTY AGREEMENT sections of the contract, are blank, lacking both signatures and the assignee information ). There is also a NOTICE TO BUYER section, stating for the buyer to NOT sign the contract if it contained any blank spaces, this further strengthens the fraudulent allegations against this account. 

Furthermore, after inspecting the Loan Payment History document, I see that there is a big lapse in payment reporting. The Retail Instillment Sales Contract lists the VEHICLE SALE DATE as XXXX, however the payment sheet provided by MID ATLANTIC FINANCE states the first payment date as XX/XX/XXXX. Moreover, the payment sheet only displays partial payments beginning as of XX/XX/XXXX. The vehicles payment amounts are not listed in full, and there is no complete record of any transaction. These discrepancies, amongst others further supports my claim against this fraudulent account. Also, the presented contract from XXXX XXXX, lists the questioned accounts address as : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. This was a previously disputed address on my credit report, which was successfully removed, as a result of identity theft. This attempt at a doctored contract further supports my claim. 

I have attached pictures of the presented contract, please pay close attention to the blank signature areas, as well as the forged XXXX XXXX signature. I have also attached a copy of my drivers license to compare the signature in question. 

MID ATLANTIC FINANCE was not able to provide me with an honest validation of this debt, neither were they able to provide me with the additional documents that I requested. I ask that you remove this fraudulent information from my credit reports. 

This company has committed the following FDCPA Violations : 806. Harassment and abuse 807. False or misleading representations 808. Unfair practices 809. Validation of debts Please remove this information from my credit reports immediately.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation