Consumer complaint received 2024-09-17
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: CAINE & WEINER COMPANY, INC. (AK)

I am submitting this complaint regarding a fraudulent debt reported and collected by CAINE & WEINER 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, CAINE & WEINER is not licensed to collect in the United States XXXX XXXX, adding another layer of non-compliance. 

Details of the Violations : 1. Failure to Provide Notice ( FDCPA Violation ) : Under XXXX U.S.C. XXXX ( a ) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), debt collectors are required to notify consumers of any alleged debt within XXXX days of the initial communication, including information on how to dispute the debt. CAINE & WEINER failed to provide me with this notice, depriving me of my right to dispute the debt. 
2. Fraudulent Debt Reporting ( FCRA Violation ) : Under XXXX U.S.C. XXXX ( 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. CAINE & WEINER reported this debt without my authorization, which is a violation of the FCRA. 
3. Failure to Validate the Debt ( FDCPA Violation ) : As required by XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( b ) of the FDCPA, CAINE & WEINER 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 ) : CAINE & WEINER 's continued efforts to collect this debt, despite my dispute and request for validation, violates FDCPA provisions related to unfair collection practices, including harassment ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) and false or misleading representations ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ). 
5. Violation of the Fair Credit Billing Act ( XXXX ) : Under the Fair Credit Billing Act ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ), consumers have the right to dispute billing errors within 60 days, which CAINE & WEINER 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 : CAINE & WEINER is not licensed to collect debts in the United States XXXX XXXX, yet they continue to engage in collection activities. This is a direct violation of both the FDCPA and local state laws requiring XXXX 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 ( XXXX U.S.C. XXXX ), CAINE & WEINER 's 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 the XXXX XXXX XXXX, they are violating UDAAP. 
8. Failure to Cease Communication ( FDCPA Violation ) : After requesting CAINE & WEINER to cease all communication regarding this disputed debt, they continued to contact me. This violates XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( 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 XXXX U.S.C. XXXX ( XXXX ), 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. XXXX & XXXX has attempted to collect unauthorized fees in connection with this disputed debt.