Consumer complaint received 2024-10-12
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: Self Financial Inc. (VI)

I am submitting this formal complaint against Self Financial / Lead Bank regarding a fraudulent account reported under account number XXXX. Despite my filing an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), Self Financial / Lead Bank continues to unlawfully report this fraudulent account and engage in collection activities, which is damaging my credit and personal well-being. I request immediate intervention and enforcement of my rights under federal law. 

Attached is the FTC Identity Theft Report, which confirms my identity theft claim and supports my dispute of this fraudulent account. 

Legal Violations and Consequences : XXXX. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) ( Section 605B ) Under Section 605B of the FCRA, Self Financial / Lead Bank is legally obligated to block and remove any fraudulent information from my credit report within XXXX business days of receiving proof of identity theft. Despite being provided with the FTC report, they have failed to remove this account. Their actions violate the FCRA, which mandates that they cease reporting this account immediately. 
XXXX. FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) This section prohibits Self Financial / Lead Bank from verifying or continuing to report information to credit reporting agencies ( XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX ) while the account is under dispute. Despite my identity theft claim and dispute, they have continued to report this account, violating this section of the FCRA. 
XXXX. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) Self Financial/ Lead Bank has failed to provide sufficient validation of the alleged debt, violating the FDCPA. They continue to attempt to collect this fraudulent debt, despite my formal dispute, further violating federal consumer protection laws. 
XXXX. Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.

As I have never entered into any credit agreement with Self Financial / Lead Bank, and no disclosure documentation has been provided to me, their continued reporting of this fraudulent debt is a violation of XXXX. 
XXXX. Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices ( UDAAP ) 12 U.S.C. 5531 Self Financial/ Lead Banks actions in attempting to collect on this fraudulent debt and failing to provide proper documentation of the debt qualify as unfair, deceptive, and abusive under UDAAP statutes. 
XXXX. Identity Theft and XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) 18 U.S.C. 1028 Despite my filing a formal identity theft report with the FTC, Self Financial / Lead Bank continues to report this fraudulent account. Their failure to investigate and remove this account could be seen as a violation of the XXXX, which outlines criminal penalties for businesses that fail to take appropriate action after receiving notice of identity theft. 
XXXX. Electronic Fund Transfer Act ( XXXX ) 15 U.S.C. 1693 If any unauthorized transfers or withdrawals related to this fraudulent account were made, their actions would also violate the XXXX, which protects consumers from unauthorized electronic transactions. 
XXXX. Violations of State Laws In addition to federal violations, their actions also violate state consumer protection laws that provide further protections against fraudulent debt reporting and identity theft. 

Immediate Actions Requested from the CFPB : XXXX. Immediate Removal of the Fraudulent Account : I am requesting the CFPB to take action against Self Financial / Lead Bank to ensure the immediate and permanent removal of this fraudulent account from my credit reports with all major credit bureaus ( XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX ). 
XXXX. Cease All Collection and Reporting Activities : Self Financial / Lead Bank must be prohibited from continuing any collection or reporting activities related to this fraudulent account while it is under dispute. 
XXXX. Investigation into Self Financial / Lead Banks Non-Compliance : The CFPB should conduct an investigation into Self Financial / Lead Banks non-compliance with federal law and take appropriate enforcement actions. 
XXXX. Compensation for Damages : I seek compensation for any financial and emotional damages caused by Self Financial/ Lead Banks unlawful reporting of this fraudulent account, which continues to harm my credit and well-being.