Consumer complaint received 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery Inc.
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this formal complaint against Lockhart , Morris & Montgomery for unlawfully reporting a fraudulent collection account to my credit file, in direct violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). I became aware of the account on XX/XX/year>, when I received a credit alert from XXXX. Prior to that, I had never heard from Lockhart , Morris & Montgomery. They did not send me any communication of any kind regarding this debtnot by mail, phone, email, or any other methodbefore placing it on my credit report. I received no written validation notice, no opportunity to dispute the debt, and no explanation for the collection activity. 

Under FDCPA Section 809 ( a ) ( 15 U.S. Code 1692g ), debt collectors are required to provide a written notice containing key information about the debt within five days of initial contact. Lockhart , Morris & Montgomery failed to provide this mandatory notice. Because I received no communication at all, I was also denied the legally protected 30-day period to dispute the debt. This is a direct violation of my rights under the FDCPA. Moreover, they attempted to collect on a debt that I do not owe, which is prohibited under Section 807 ( 2 ) ( A ) of the FDCPA. This debt is the result of identity theft, and I have previously disputed it with other collection agencies. I submitted documentation to the credit bureaus proving the fraud, including reports of stolen identification, stolen bank account credentials, social security cards belonging to my children, and fraudulent use of bank and credit cards.

One of the previous agencies this account was sold to was XXXX XXXX, XXXX. That company offered to settle the debt for {$0.00}, acknowledging either the invalidity or uncollectibility of the account. This clearly demonstrates that the debt has been sold multiple times and was previously deemed fraudulent or otherwise unenforceable. Despite this, Lockhart , Morris & Montgomery chose to report it as active and collectable without verification. This conduct constitutes a deceptive and unfair practice in violation of Section 808 of the FDCPA.

Their actions also violate multiple sections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. According to Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ( 15 U.S. Code 1681s-2 ), a company that furnishes information to credit reporting agencies must ensure its accuracy and completeness. Lockhart , Morris & Montgomery reported this debt without performing a reasonable investigation, and without contacting me to verify its legitimacy. Furthermore, under Section 611 ( 15 U.S. Code 1681i ), I have the right to dispute inaccurate information, and the furnisher is required to investigate. I have submitted detailed disputes to other companies that handled this same account, including police reports, an FTC Identity Theft report, and sworn affidavits, all of which confirm this debt is fraudulent. The fact that the company failed to conduct a reasonable investigation or request documentation from me further demonstrates noncompliance with FCRA standards. 

Additionally, the account is not marked as disputed in my credit file, which is required under Section 623 ( a ) ( 3 ) of the FCRA once a consumer challenges an accounts accuracy. Under Section 605B, I have a right to have fraudulent tradelines blocked from my credit report when identity theft has been proven and documented, yet Lockhart, Morris & Montgomery continues to report this account despite having more than sufficient reason to block it from my file.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation