Consumer complaint received 2026-01-21 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: ALLY FINANCIAL INC.
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint to formally document identity theft involving an account reported by Ally Financial that does not belong to me. I did not open, authorize, apply for, or benefit from the Ally Financial account that has been reported as a charge-off and/or collection. This account is fraudulent and is the result of identity theft. 

I first became aware of the issue after reviewing my consumer credit reports and noticing an Ally Financial account listed as a charge-off or collection account. I did not recognize the account, the balance, or the alleged obligation. I have never entered into a contract, loan agreement, or financing arrangement with Ally Financial for this account, nor did I authorize any individual or third party to do so on my behalf. 

The Ally Financial account reflects delinquency and charge-off status that I did not incur. I did not receive funds, goods, services, or any benefit related to this account. I have no knowledge of when or how the account was opened, and I was not involved in any transaction associated with it. The presence of this account on my credit reports was my first indication that my personal information had been used fraudulently. 

After discovering the Ally Financial charge-off/collection account, I took immediate steps to address the situation. I carefully reviewed my credit reports to confirm that the account was unfamiliar and unauthorized. I then disputed the account with the credit reporting agencies and notified Ally Financial that the account was fraudulent. I requested validation and documentation showing that the account legitimately belonged to me. 

Because the account was not mine, I filed an official FTC Identity Theft Report to formally document the fraud. This FTC report confirms that I am a victim of identity theft and that the Ally Financial account was opened or used without my authorization. The purpose of filing the FTC report was to protect my rights, create an official record of the identity theft, and request that fraudulent information be blocked and removed from my credit file. 

Despite filing the FTC Identity Theft Report and disputing the account, the Ally Financial charge-off/collection account has continued to appear on my credit reports. The continued reporting of this account is inaccurate and misleading because it suggests that I incurred and defaulted on a debt that I never agreed to and never owed. This ongoing reporting has negatively affected my credit profile and caused significant stress and inconvenience. 

I want to be clear that this is not a dispute over billing, payment terms, or financial hardship. I am not claiming that I was unable to pay an Ally Financial debt. I am stating that this debt is not mine at all. I did not miss payments, I did not default, and I did not authorize the account in the first place. The charge-off and collection status associated with this account is entirely the result of identity theft. 

At various points, I have requested that Ally Financial provide documentation showing that the account belongs to me. To my knowledge, Ally Financial has not provided any original signed contract, application, or other proof demonstrating that I opened or authorized the account. Without such documentation, there is no basis for Ally Financial to continue reporting this account as a valid obligation. 

The continued reporting of the Ally Financial charge-off/collection account after notification of identity theft raises serious concerns about the adequacy of the investigation conducted. Simply confirming internal records or relying on automated systems does not establish that the account belongs to me. A meaningful investigation requires reviewing original documentation and verifying that the consumer is actually responsible for the debt. 

The harm caused by this fraudulent account is ongoing. The Ally Financial charge-off/collection account has damaged my credit standing, affected my ability to obtain credit on fair terms, and required me to spend a significant amount of time disputing an obligation I never incurred. I have acted responsibly and in good faith by promptly identifying the fraud, filing an FTC Identity Theft Report, and notifying the relevant parties. 

I am submitting this CFPB complaint because prior attempts to resolve the issue directly have not resulted in the removal of the fraudulent account. I am seeking regulatory assistance to ensure that Ally Financial complies with its obligations to accurately report consumer information and to properly address documented identity theft. 

I respectfully request that Ally Financial review this matter thoroughly, taking into account the FTC Identity Theft Report and the fact that I did not open or authorize this account. The appropriate resolution is the complete removal of the Ally Financial charge-off/collection account from all consumer credit reports and the cessation of any collection activity related to this fraudulent debt. 

I am not seeking to avoid legitimate financial responsibilities. I am seeking correction of inaccurate information caused by identity theft. I should not be held responsible for an account that was created without my knowledge or consent, and I should not continue to suffer harm from the reporting of a debt that is not mine. 

I am willing to cooperate and provide my FTC Identity Theft Report or other supporting documentation if requested through proper channels. However, I should not be required to make payments, negotiate settlements, or accept partial corrections for a debt that I did not incur. 

This complaint is submitted in good faith and accurately reflects my experience with the Ally Financial account reported as a charge-off or collection. I am asking that Ally Financial take prompt and appropriate action to correct its records, remove the fraudulent account, and ensure that it is not reinserted or resold in the future. 

I appreciate the CFPBs assistance in forwarding this complaint and helping to ensure that this identity theft issue is resolved fully and permanently.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation