Consumer complaint received 2026-06-09 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Auto debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Lien Enforcement Inc
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Complaint against debt collector Lien Enforcement , Inc. ( XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, FL XXXX ) regarding account no. XXXX, a debt allegedly owed to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for towing/storage of a XXXX XXXX XXXX . Summary : I disputed this debt in writing on more than one occasion and notified the collector that I have legal representation. Despite that notice, the collector has continued to contact me directly, including an automated collection text message sent to a cell phone number I never provided to them, more than five months later. The collector has also relied on a misleading characterization of California law to claim I am personally responsible despite having itself provided the DMV record showing the vehicle 's title belongs to another individual, not me. Facts : 1. I disputed this debt in writing twice, both times by certified mail ( I have the certified mail receipts and delivery confirmations ). In my first dispute letter, I disputed the debt and requested verification, stating I am not the registered owner of the vehicle. After the collector responded with a collection notice ( dated XX/XX/XXXX ) that included a DMV record showing that I am not the registered owner of the vehicle, I sent a second, more detailed dispute letter on XX/XX/XXXX. That second letter formally disputed the debt and stated that my attorney would be following up. My counsel is engaged in ongoing litigation involving this same vehicle. 2. The collector 's claim rests on a misleading characterization of California law. The DMV record the collector itself provided ( dated XX/XX/XXXX ) confirms that the registered owner ( R/O ) remains a third party, not me the title transfer was never completed. Rather than resolve the discrepancy between the unilateral Release of Liability filing and the actual registered ownership, the collector 's notice presents a misleading summary of California Civil Code 3068.2 ( d ), suggesting that a Release of Liability filed without any title transfer overrides legal title. It does so by omitting key statutory requirements. Because title was never transferred and ownership remained with the third party, there is no valid basis to hold me personally liable for charges arising from this vehicle. I pointed out this defect directly in my dispute letter, yet the collector continued to pursue me on the same flawed basis without ever resolving it. 3. Despite receiving both written disputes and notice that I have legal representation, the collector did not cease direct contact. On XX/XX/XXXX more than five months after my second dispute letter I received an automated collection text message from ( XXXX ) XXXX stating : " [ XXXX ], final notice : limited time to arrange payment for towing/storage fees on your XXXX XXXX XXXX . Call immediately, ref acct # XXXX. Reply Stop to opt-out. '' I have a screenshot of this message. I never provided my cell phone number to this collector. I do not know how they obtained it, and I never consented to being contacted by automated text message at this number. Why this is a problem : - The collector continued to contact me directly after receiving written notice that I dispute the debt and have legal representation. My counsel is engaged in ongoing litigation involving this same vehicle. - The collector misrepresented the legal status of the debt ( as detailed above ), continuing to claim I am personally responsible despite its own DMV record showing otherwise and despite my having identified this defect in writing. - The collector contacted my personal cell phone a number I never gave them using what appears to be an automated text messaging system ( " Reply Stop to opt-out '' ), without my consent. I am concerned about how the collector obtained my number.

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