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: Atlanticus Services Corporation
State: LA

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

I became aware of this issue after reviewing my consumer credit reports and identifying a XXXX XXXX  XXXX account reported with a charge-off and/or collection status. I did not recognize the account, the balance, the payment history, or the alleged obligation. I have never entered into a credit card agreement, loan agreement, or any other financing contract with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for this account, and I did not authorize any individual or third party to open or use an account with these companies in my name. 

The XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX account reflects delinquency, charge-off, and/or collection activity that I did not incur. I did not receive funds, goods, services, or any benefit associated with this account. I have no knowledge of when the account was opened, how it was used, or who initiated the transactions. The appearance of this account on my credit reports was my first indication that my personal information had been used fraudulently. 

Once I discovered the fraudulent account, I took immediate steps to address the issue. I carefully reviewed my credit reports to confirm that the account was unfamiliar and unauthorized. I then disputed the account with the consumer reporting agencies and notified XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX that the account was not mine. I requested validation and documentation demonstrating that I was responsible for the alleged debt. 

Because I did not open or authorize this account, I filed an FTC Identity Theft Report to formally document the fraud. This FTC report establishes that I am a victim of identity theft and that the XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX account was created or used without my consent. 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 XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX charge-off and/or collection account continues 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 has caused significant stress, inconvenience, and financial harm.

I want to be clear that this is not a dispute related to billing errors, payment arrangements, or financial hardship. I am not claiming that I fell behind on payments or failed to meet an obligation. 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 exists solely because of identity theft. 

At multiple points, I requested that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX provide documentation demonstrating that the account belonged to me. To my knowledge, neither entity has provided any original signed application, contract, or other documentation showing that I opened or authorized the account. Without such documentation, there is no factual or legal basis for continuing to report this account as a valid obligation. 

The continued reporting of this fraudulent account after notice of identity theft raises serious concerns about the adequacy of the investigation conducted. Verifying internal records, relying on automated systems, or referencing account data without reviewing original account-opening documentation does not establish consumer responsibility. A meaningful investigation requires confirmation that the consumer is the individual who entered into the agreement. 

The harm caused by this fraudulent account is ongoing. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXharge-off and/or collection account has damaged my credit standing, limited my access to credit, increased my cost of borrowing, and forced me to spend significant time and effort disputing an obligation that I never incurred. I have acted responsibly and in good faith by promptly identifying the fraud, filing an FTC Identity Theft Report, and notifying both the companies involved and the credit reporting agencies.

I am submitting this CFPB complaint because prior efforts to resolve the issue directly have not resulted in the removal of the fraudulent account. I am seeking regulatory assistance to ensure that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX comply with their obligations to accurately report consumer information and to appropriately address documented identity theft.

I respectfully request that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  thoroughly review this matter, taking into account the FTC Identity Theft Report and the fact that I did not open or authorize the account. The appropriate outcome is the complete removal of the XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX charge-off and/or 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 any additional supporting documentation if requested through appropriate channels. However, I should not be required to make payments, accept settlements, or engage in negotiations for a debt that I did not incur. 

This complaint is submitted in good faith and accurately reflects my experience with the XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX account reported as a charge-off and/or collection. I am asking that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX take prompt and appropriate action to correct their records, remove the fraudulent account, and ensure that it is not reinserted, resold, or reassigned 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 public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation