Consumer complaint received 2025-08-07 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: MARINER FINANCE, LLC
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Dear Mariner Finance, I am writing to formally dispute the fraudulent account ( # XXXX ) reported by Mariner Finance in my name, which was opened as a result of identity theft. I did not apply for, authorize, or benefit from this account. This is my final attempt to have Mariner Finance correct its records and notify all credit reporting agencies XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  to remove this account from my credit reports. Your failure to correct this error, despite prior disputes and your inadequate response to my request for information, has caused significant harm, including the denial of a housing application on XX/XX/XXXX, leading to financial losses from temporary hotel stays, homelessness, and additional debt. I demand immediate investigation and correction under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), or I will pursue legal action for damages. The account in question was fraudulently opened in my name due to identity theft. I requested information from Mariner Finance, and you sent a letter falsely claiming the account is mine without providing verifiable evidence ( copy enclosed ). Additionally, I received alerts from my XXXX  online account confirming that my Social Security number and phone number were exposed on the dark web ( copy enclosed ), further substantiating the likelihood of identity theft. The continued reporting of this fraudulent account has caused severe financial and personal harm, including : Denial of a housing application XXXX XXXX, which prevented me from securing a home. 
Financial losses from temporary hotel stays, costing approximately {$2000.00} Homelessness, resulting in emotional distress and financial instability. 
Additional debt incurred to cover living expenses due to the housing denial. 
These damages are directly attributable to Mariner Finances failure to correct its records and cease reporting this fraudulent account to credit bureaus, despite clear evidence of identity theft.

Under the FCRA, specifically 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ), data furnishers like Mariner Finance must conduct a reasonable investigation of disputes received from consumers or credit reporting agencies and correct or delete inaccurate information. Your response letter, which merely asserts the account is mine without verifiable evidence, fails to meet this standard. I have enclosed a [ police report/FTC Identity Theft Report, the XXXX  dark web alert, and your inadequate response letter to substantiate that this account is fraudulent. 
The following case law supports the correction and deletion of fraudulent accountXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ) : The court held that furnishers must delete information that can not be verified as accurate. Your unsubstantiated claim does not verify the account as mine. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : The court ruled that furnishers violate the FCRA by failing to conduct a reasonable investigation into disputed accounts, particularly when identity theft is alleged. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ) : The court found that furnishers are liable for failing to correct inaccurate information after a dispute, especially when evidence of identity theft is provided. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The court emphasized that furnishers and credit bureaus must act promptly to remove fraudulent accounts when supported by evidence like dark web exposure, with liability for actual and statutory damages. 
XXXX v. XXXX & XXXX, XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXhe court affirmed that furnishers must investigate and correct inaccurate information, and failure to do so can result in liability for damages caused by continued reporting.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation