Consumer complaint received 2025-12-02 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: CAINE & WEINER COMPANY, INC.
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint because Caine & Weiner is reporting a {$220.00} collection account on my credit report that I do not recognize, do not owe, did not authorize, and have no connection to. This account is fraudulent. It does not belong to me. I never received any services, bills, statements, notices, or communications regarding a {$220.00} debt, nor was I ever informed that a debt allegedly existed before seeing it reported on my credit file. Because this account is not mine, and because I have already filed an FTC Identity Theft Report documenting that this is fraudulent activity, I am requesting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus assistance.

This is a serious issue because the presence of this {$220.00} collection account has negatively impacted my credit, damaged my creditworthiness, and has created confusion and frustration as I have tried to have it removed. For these reasons, I am explaining exactly what happened.

1. The {$220.00} Caine & Weiner Collection Account Is Not Mine I first discovered this alleged {$220.00} debt when I reviewed my credit report. Before that moment, I had XXXX knowledge that a debt of this amount existed, nor did I know Caine & Weiner. I have never done business with the original creditor they claim to represent. I have never received services or goods that could lead to a {$220.00} balance. I have never been contacted regarding this account. 

Specifically : I did not open any account associated with this debt I have no prior relationship with the original creditor I did not receive a bill for {$220.00} I did not receive a notice of delinquency I did not authorize this debt I have never acknowledged this debt When I saw this account appearing as a collection/charge-off, I immediately knew something was wrong. This account is fraudulent, and I do not owe this debt. 
2. I Never Received Any Notice or Validation From Caine & Weiner Under FDCPA 809 ( a ) and 809 ( b ), a debt collector must send a written notice of debt within five days of their first communication. This notice must include : The amount of the debt The original creditor A statement of my right to dispute Instructions for requesting validation A statement that the debt collector will obtain verification Caine & Weiner never sent me : A notice of debt A validation letter A collection letter A bill A breakdown of charges The name of the original creditor Any correspondence whatsoever I was never notified of any alleged delinquency before the account was placed on my credit report. This means Caine & Weiner violated the FDCPA by skipping legally required steps before attempting to collect or report the debt.

3. I Disputed the Account With the Credit Bureaus and Requested an Investigation Upon seeing this account on my credit file, I immediately filed disputes with all three major credit bureaus. In my disputes, I made it clear : I do not recognize this debt I have never authorized this account I needed validation and documentation This account may be the result of identity theft Caine & Weiner must provide proof of ownership I requested : The original creditor name A copy of any contract or agreement Itemized billing history Proof that I was notified about the debt Verification documents from Caine & Weiner Any evidence linking me to the account However, the credit bureaus either : Claimed the account was verified, without explanation Did not provide the documentation I requested Did not produce a method of verification Did not show any evidence of a meaningful reinvestigation This indicates the investigation was incomplete or automated.

4. The Credit Bureaus Did Not Provide the Method of Verification Under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 6 ), when a consumer disputes information and requests a Method of Verification, credit bureaus must disclose : How the furnisher verified the debt Whether actual documents were reviewed What information was used in verification The name and contact information of the entity verifying the debt I received none of this information.

This signals that the credit bureaus likely relied on automated e-Oscar responses, which are not a substitute for real reinvestigation.

5. I Filed an FTC Identity Theft Report Because This Account Is Fraudulent Since the account does not belong to me and no documentation exists to validate it, I filed an official FTC Identity Theft Report ( ITR ). This report legally affirms : I did not incur this debt I did not authorize any account associated with this debt This {$220.00} collection is fraudulent My identity may have been used without permission Under FCRA 605B, the filing of an identity theft report requires credit bureaus to : Block the fraudulent account Remove the account within four business days Notify Caine & Weiner Prevent reinsertion of the account Despite my FTC filing, the account was not properly blocked or removed.

6. Caine & Weiner Failed to Validate the Debt Even after my disputes and FTC filing, Caine & Weiner : Did not provide validation Did not provide a contract Did not provide a billing statement Did not show the original creditor Did not show any record tying me to the debt Did not respond with documentation Under FDCPA 809 ( b ), a collector must stop reporting and collecting until the debt is validated. Caine & Weiner failed to comply and continued reporting the debt.

7. The Continued Reporting of This Fraudulent Account Has Caused Harm Although the amount is only {$220.00}, its impact is much greater. A single collection account can : Lower my credit score significantly Increase loan interest rates Result in loan denials Impact rental approvals Increase insurance premiums Limit financial opportunities Flag my profile as high-risk This harm is ongoing every day the fraudulent account remains on my credit report.

8. This Account Violates Multiple Federal Laws FCRA Violations : 602A Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy 605B Failure to block identity theft information 607 ( b ) Furnishing inaccurate information 611 ( a ) Inadequate dispute investigation 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) Failure to provide Method of Verification FDCPA Violations : 809 ( a ) Failure to issue required debt validation notice 809 ( b ) Failure to provide validation before continued reporting 807 ( 8 ) Communicating false credit information 807 ( 2 ) ( A ) Misrepresenting the character, amount, or legal status of the debt These violations justify complete removal of the account.

9. There Is Zero Evidence This Debt Belongs to Me I want to make it clear : I never received a statement for {$220.00} I never authorized an account with this balance I did not receive goods/services matching this amount I did not receive notice of delinquency I did not receive a validation letter No contract exists bearing my signature No bill exists showing I incurred this debt No contact was made by Caine & Weiner If the debt were legitimate, Caine & Weiner would have documentation.

They do not.

10. All Attempts to Resolve This Outside the CFPB Have Failed I have attempted every appropriate action : Disputed the account Requested validation Asked for a Method of Verification Filed an FTC Identity Theft Report Notified the credit bureaus Provided fraud documentation Yet Caine & Weiner continues reporting the account.

Because all normal channels have failed, CFPB intervention is necessary.

SUMMARY OF WHAT HAPPENED Caine & Weiner is reporting a fraudulent {$220.00} collection account.

I do not owe this debt and have no connection to it.

I never received any communication from Caine & Weiner.

I disputed the account with all credit bureaus.

I requested validation ; Caine & Weiner provided none.

I requested the Method of Verification ; the bureaus did not provide it.

I filed an FTC Identity Theft Report confirming fraud. 

Despite this, the account remains on my credit report. 

This violates multiple federal consumer protection laws. 

The fraudulent account has caused ongoing credit harm. 

I am requesting CFPB assistance to ensure this account is removed and does not return.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation