Consumer complaint received 2024-04-16
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account information incorrect
Company: American First Finance, Inc. (FL)

I am writing to file a formal complaint against American First Finance for a series of unlawful actions and violations of consumer rights. Below are the details of the XXXX I have experienced : American First Finance unlawfully denied my right to request an explanation of charges on my account, blocked access to my account preventing me from making payments, sold my personal information to XXXX creditors within a two-month period, debited my account for a payment XXXX months after the account was charged off, despite my attempts to return the leased bedroom set, provided misinformation, blocked my emails, and refused to allow the return of XXXX XXXX set, which is in direct contradiction to the contract I signed in paragraph XXXX. The account should not have been charged off or reported to credit bureaus. 

The company, XXXX XXXX, advertises " no credit needed, '' while American First Finance operates as a lease-to-own company. The contract specifies in paragraph XXXX that the account XXXX be reported to credit bureaus. Had it been clear that a rent-to-own company like American First Finance would report this account, I would have considered other options, such as XXXX 's XXXX. 

Numerous lawsuits and complaints against American First Finance for deceptive practices from other consumers highlight their unethical behavior. American First Finance has violated multiple laws, including those related to accurate credit reporting standards, as detailed in my letter to them dated XX/XX/XXXX, which they have failed to respond to. 

This situation has significantly impacted my credit, hindering my ability to engage in various financial activities. Attached to this complaint, you will find email conversations providing evidence of the company 's deceptive practices and inconsistencies in the amounts claimed to be owed, including debiting my account after reporting it as charged off for payments. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I discovered I was blocked from accessing my account, despite previous access being allowed. The donation center, the Returns department at American First Finance, does not accept donations, contrary to what American First Finance claimed in my Consumer Agreement paragraph XXXX a and b. A return XXXX named XXXX XXXX mentioned in an email on XX/XX/XXXX, that I could donate the merchandise through XXXX. However, this website proved to be confusing and did not facilitate the return process as described. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, American First Finance sent another email about settling the debt, even though previous discussions were about how to return the merchandise since I was unable to make payments due to a discrepancy, homelessness and job loss due to XXXX. I attempted to contact the support team as directed by their email, but they blocked my access on XX/XX/XXXX. 

Despite reporting the account as charged off on my credit report, American First Finance continued to demand payments. They also sold my information to XXXX credit collection agencies, XXXX named XXXX and the other XXXX XXXX XXXX 

XXXX XXXX XXXX claimed I only paid {$180.00}, a figure I dispute as I have receipts confirming payments well above this amount paid to American First Finance. I have no knowledge of these companies American First Finance provided my information to, as they never sent anything via mail. I requested proof of any claims they make, as I have only received uncertain emails, raising concerns of legitimacy or potential hacking. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX responded to my email, confirming receipt at XXXX PM from an external email. XXXX emailed on XX/XX/XXXX, exposing my address, which is a clear violation of my privacy. They claimed I incurred {$5.00} in fees since XX/XX/XXXX ( which is not a valid date ), and I allegedly owe a total of {$2200.00}. XXXX XXXX XXXX also emailed me a statement on XX/XX/XXXX, claiming I owed {$2200.00}, had paid {$180.00}, and now owed {$2100.00}. These claims are confusing and raise questions about their validity and legitimacy. 

I want to emphasize that I never made any agreements with XXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX. The last communications I received via email were from XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX AM, XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX PM, and American First Finance on XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX XXXX, when they withdrew funds from my bank account, sending a payment confirmation receipt for {$97.00}, XXXX months after the charge-off, with conflicting amounts owed as detailed in this complaint. The balance they claimed at this point was {$2100.00}. Included in this complaint is a screenshot from the credit bureau that I owe American First Finance {$880.00} and the original balance was {$3800.00}. 

I respectfully request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau thoroughly investigates these matters and takes appropriate actions against American First Finance for their unlawful and deceptive practices. Additionally, I urge you to review the attached evidence, including email correspondence and receipts, supporting my claims.