Consumer complaint received 2024-02-05 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUTSOURCING, INC.
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB, I am writing to file a formal complaint against Fair Collections & Outsourcing Inc regarding their refusal to investigate a collection account that they have reported on my credit history. I believe their actions violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) and have caused significant distress and harm to my financial well-being. 

The collection account in question pertains to account # XXXX, which has been reported inaccurately on my credit reports. I have consistently disputed this account with Fair Collections & Outsourcing Inc and the credit bureaus due to identity theft concerns. My identity has been stolen, and I am hesitant to provide sensitive personal information such as my ID, lease, and utility bills to a company that does not have proper authorization to possess my personal information in the first place. 

Here are the key details of my complaint : Lack of Permission : Fair Collections & Outsourcing Inc does not have permission to possess my personal information. My mother is the owner of my home, and this information is publicly available.

Absence of Utility Bills : I do not have utility bills in my name, further complicating my ability to provide the requested documentation. 

Adequate Address Proof : I have provided sufficient evidence of my address, including IRS statements dating back to 2017, credit report address history, and an FTC report. Despite this evidence, Fair Collections & Outsourcing Inc has refused to take corrective action. 

Stress and Health Implications : The continued presence of this inaccurate collection account on my credit reports has taken a severe toll on my health, causing extreme stress and leading to XXXX XXXX XXXX  for XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

Violation of the FDCPA : I believe that Fair Collections & Outsourcing Inc refusal to investigate and correct this account violates the FDCPA, which requires debt collectors to act fairly and responsibly. 

Credit Reporting Issues : Fair Collections & Outsourcing Inc has disregarded my efforts to have the collection account removed from my credit reports, causing further harm to my credit history. 

I have exhausted all reasonable attempts to resolve this matter directly with Fair Collections & Outsourcing Inc and the credit bureaus. To date, they have refused to take any corrective action or remove the erroneous collection account from my credit reports. 

I kindly request that the CFPB intervene in this matter and investigate Fair Collections & Outsourcing Inc refusal to investigate and correct this collection account. My primary goal is to have this account deleted from my credit reports immediately, as it is negatively affecting my financial well-being and causing severe stress. 

I am prepared to provide any additional information or documentation necessary to support my case and seek remedies as allowed by the law. Please consider the urgency of this matter, and I look forward to your assistance in resolving this issue. 

Thank you for your attention to this complaint, and I await your response. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation