Consumer complaint received 2016-06-02
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt resulted from identity theft
Company: The CBE Group, Inc. (CA)

I have been a victim of Identity Theft since XXXX XXXX, XXXX. Someone stole my personal information such as my name, date of birth, social security number and work information to commit theft. The suspect opened many or numerous fraudulent accounts under my name without my consent. I contacted the XXXX Credit Bureaus such as XXXX, XXXX and XXXX to place a Fraud Alert and Security Freeze. I placed a Security Freeze in order to prevent the suspect from opening other fraudulent accounts. I also filed a XXXX XXXX police report on XXXX XXXX, XXXX in regards to Identity Theft. I contacted or filed a report through the FTC as well on XXXX XXXX. I contacted most or all the credit card companies and disputed the fraudulent charges against me. All the fraudulent charges were dropped in my favor while others were removed or deleted right after noticing a Fraud Alert on my credit report. On XXXX XXXX, I checked my updated credit score. The score went back up to XXXX points ( XXXX ) and XXXX points ( XXXX ). I was happy because I worked so hard in building an excellent score throughout my entire life. I NEVER owed anyone or any companies money because I paid ALL my bills on time. The suspect took away or stole my freedom, my dignity and my good reputation on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. I found out the suspect has been opening the fraudulent accounts dated XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX. I was informed by my credit card XXXX XXXX on XXXX XXXX, XXXX that the suspect was stealing my name to open fraudulent accounts without my consent. I thought everything was good or normal when my updated score was XXXX points and XXXX points on XXXX XXXX. However I was upset when I received another updated score on XXXX XXXX, XXXX through XXXX. My score went down to XXXX points. The reason was because CBE Group or XXXX filed a collection against me for the amount of {$840.00}. The account was opened on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. My question to CBE Group or XXXX is " How? '' How did this account was opened when I placed a Security Freeze and Fraud Alert on my report? Did XXXX or CBE Group contacted me as they were instructed on my credit report? I NEVER received a phone call. My contact phone numbers were on my report. I gave specific instructions such as " Do NOT allow further fraudulent accounts to be opened unless I was called or contacted due to a " Fraud Alert. '' XXXX or CBE Group failed to follow these simple instructions on my credit report. And now CBE Group or XXXX wanted to collect {$840.00} against me for something I have NO knowledge of the account. And how can the last XXXX digits of the account be " xxxx? '' I can not read minds or invisible numbers. XXXX and CBE Group should be punished and be jailed for NOT following simple instructions on my report. I tried calling CBE Group at XXXX on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX around XXXX hours, XXXX hours and XXXX hours. I was NOT able to connect with a representative for over 5 minutes wait. I contacted XXXX on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX at approximately XXXX hours. The agent told me he has NO knowledge of the fraudulent account. I told him that I have XXXX since XXXX and NEVER owed any money. My XXXX was paid on time since XXXX and there was NEVER an issue. I do NOT have any other XXXX account other than XXXX in XXXX XXXX. Identity Theft crime is going up. Many companies should take note by investigating the true identity of the person before allowing an account to be opened otherwise the victim will suffer emotional stress. I am suffering emotional stress since XXXX XXXX, XXXX. CBE Group and XXXX should be punished for causing me pain and grief for allowing the suspect to open an account without reading my report for " Fraud Alert. '' Shame on you guys.