Consumer complaint received 2024-10-14
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: ONLINE Information Services, Inc. (PR)

I am submitting this complaint regarding a fraudulent debt reported and collected by Online Collections XXXX under account number XXXX. I was never notified about this debt via mail, nor was I given the opportunity to dispute it, which violates my rights under multiple federal laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and others. Furthermore, Online Collections XXXX is not licensed to collect in XXXX XXXX, adding another layer of non-compliance. 

Details of the Violations : 1. Failure to Provide Notice ( FDCPA Violation ) : Under 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), debt collectors are required to notify consumers of any alleged debt within five days of the initial communication, including information on how to dispute the debt. Online Collections XXXX failed to provide me with this notice, depriving me of my right to dispute the debt. 
2. Fraudulent Debt Reporting ( FCRA Violation ) : Under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), no entity has the right to report information related to identity theft or fraudulent activity on my credit report without my permission. Online Collections XXXX reported this debt without my authorization, which is a violation of the FCRA. 
3. Failure to Validate the Debt ( FDCPA Violation ) : As required by 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) of the FDCPA, Online Collections XXXX must cease all collection activities until the debt is validated if the consumer disputes it. I have not been provided with sufficient proof or validation of the alleged debt, which further violates this provision. 
4. Unlawful Debt Collection Practices ( FDCPA Violation ) : Online Collections GRVLs continued efforts to collect this debt, despite my dispute and request for validation, violate FDCPA provisions related to unfair collection practices, including harassment ( 15 U.S.C. 1692d ) and false or misleading representations ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ).

5. Violation of the Fair Credit Billing Act ( FCBA ) : Under the Fair Credit Billing Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1666 ), consumers have the right to dispute billing errors within 60 days, which Online Collections XXXX has disregarded. Their failure to address my dispute adequately or provide verification of the debt is a violation of this act. 
6. Violation of State Licensing Laws : Online Collections XXXX is not licensed to collect debts in XXXX XXXX, yet they continue to engage in collection activities. This is a direct violation of both the FDCPA and local state laws requiring collectors to be licensed in the jurisdictions in which they operate. 
7. Unfair, Deceptive, and Abusive Acts or Practices ( UDAAP Violation ) : Under the XXXX XXXX XXXX Reform and Consumer Protection Act ( 12 U.S.C. 5531 ), Online Collections XXXX actions constitute unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts or practices. By attempting to collect on a fraudulent debt, failing to validate it, and engaging in unauthorized collection practices in XXXX XXXX, they are violating XXXX. 
8. Failure to Cease Communication ( FDCPA Violation ) : After requesting Online Collections GRVL to cease all communication regarding this disputed debt, they continued to contact me. This violates 15 U.S.C. 1692c ( c ) of the FDCPA, which requires collectors to stop communication upon request except for specific legal actions. 
9. Attempting to Collect Unauthorized Fees ( FDCPA Violation ) : Under 15 U.S.C. 1692f ( 1 ), a debt collector may not collect any amount, including interest, fees, or charges, unless it is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law. Online Collections XXXX has attempted to collect unauthorized fees in connection with this disputed debt.