Consumer complaint received 2025-11-17 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: 1st Franklin Financial Corporation
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint because 1st Franklin Financial has failed to validate a debt after multiple written requests and is refusing to provide the documentation required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). 

I mailed XXXX separate debt validation / verification letters on the following dates : Round XXXX Letter : Sent XX/XX/year> Round XXXX MOV Letter : Sent XX/XX/year> Round XXXX Follow-Up Letter : Sent XX/XX/year> All letters were sent certified mail with tracking and delivery confirmation. 

Instead of validating the alleged debt, 1st Franklin sent me a letter dated XX/XX/year>, stating they can not verify my address and are requiring me to visit a branch in person with ID. This is not required under FCRA or FDCPA and appears to be a deliberate attempt to avoid providing the legally required documentation. 

Their letter also shows my correct address, proving they already have it on file. My address has never changed. 

I requested : Validation of the alleged debt Proof of legal authority to collect Complete account information Signed original contract Itemized statements Date of first delinquency Proof the tradeline is being reported accurately They have provided none of this. 

Instead, they are stalling, refusing to respond to my written disputes, and failing to provide any of the legally required documentation. This violates : FDCPA 809 ( b ) right to validation FCRA 611 duty to investigate FCRA 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) right to information FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) furnishing inaccurate information FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 8 ) failure to investigate a direct dispute This behavior has caused delays in my ability to dispute this account, and they continue to furnish information to the credit bureaus without providing proof that the debt is valid.

I am requesting the CFPB require 1st Franklin Financial to : Provide complete validation of the alleged debt, including all documents requested Provide the method of verification Provide proof of legal authority to collect Provide itemized statements and the original signed agreement Correct or delete the account if they can not validate Stop requiring in-person visits for basic FCRA/FDCPA requests. 
1st Franklin Financial has already updated the account to a {$0.00} balance with XXXX  but has failed to update XXXX. Furnishing different information to different bureaus is a violation of FCRA 623. This inconsistent reporting proves they can not validate the debt and are attempting to correct only XXXX bureau to avoid liability. 

In addition, 1st Franklin updated my XXXX  report to show a {$0.00} balance but continues to report a balance on XXXX. Furnishing conflicting information to different credit bureaus is inaccurate and violates FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ). If the debt is {$0.00} and no longer owed for XXXX, it should be reported the same with XXXX  and XXXX. This inconsistency also confirms that 1st Franklin can not validate the debt, and they are selectively correcting XXXX bureau while refusing to follow federal law for the others.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation