Consumer complaint received 2025-06-18 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: Harris & Harris, Ltd.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX c/o XXXX XXXX XXXX # XXXX XXXX, California XXXX XXXX : Harris & Harris XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Formal Debt Dispute and Identity Theft Notice Account No. XXXX Demand for Validation, Cease and Desist, and Privacy Compliance To Whom It May Concern, This is a formal notice of dispute and identity theft claim regarding the alleged debt referenced under Account No. XXXX, pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S. Code 1692g ( b ) and applicable federal privacy regulations.

You are required to validate this alleged debt before any further collection or reporting activities may lawfully continue. I demand the following : I. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION : A complete and unbroken chain of assignment from the original creditor to Harris & Harris, with all transfer and purchase agreements. 

A certified copy of the original contract bearing my wet-ink signature, not an electronic or facsimile reproduction. 

Identification of the individual or entity who authorized your agency to access, possess, or use my personal and financial information. 

Copies of your initial and revised privacy notices as required under federal law before collecting or sharing consumer data. 

II. PRIVACY VIOLATIONS 16 C.F.R. PART 313 As a financial institution engaged in the collection of consumer debt, Harris & Harris , LTD is subject to 16 C.F.R. Part 313, which governs the Privacy of Consumer Financial Information under federal law : 16 C.F.R. 313.3 Nonpublic Personal Information ( NPI ) : This includes my name, address, account number, and Social Security numberall of which you are prohibited from collecting or sharing without proper notice and consent.

16 C.F.R. 313.4 Initial Privacy Notice Required : You are legally obligated to provide a consumer with a clear privacy notice before collecting or using their personal data.

16 C.F.R. 313.8 Revised Privacy Notices : If your practices change, you must issue a revised privacy notice in writing and provide the consumer with an opportunity to opt out. 

You have failed to provide me with any such notice ( XXXX ), making your possession and use of my data a violation of federal privacy law. This is compounded by the fact that my personal information was compromised in the Equifax data breach, and I have attached my FTC Identity Theft Report as further evidence of my protected status. 

III. CEASE AND DESIST NOTICE Pursuant to 15 U.S. Code 1692c ( c ), you are hereby instructed to immediately cease and desist all communication, including : Collection phone calls, mailings, or emails ; and Any reporting of this alleged debt to consumer reporting agencies, which constitutes a prohibited form of communication under the FDCPA absent proper validation. 

Unless you can provide all the above-requested documents and cure the privacy violations outlined, you are to cease all collection efforts and delete any associated data from all records. 

IV. FINAL NOTICE & REMEDY WINDOW You have XXXX calendar days from receipt of this letter to respond in full. Failure to comply will result in : A formal complaint filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), Additional claims for statutory damages under FDCPA and federal privacy regulations, And the initiation of arbitration or litigation for continued unauthorized use of my personal information. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX c/o XXXX XXXX XXXX # XXXX XXXX, California XXXX XXXX : FTC Identity XXXX Report Equifax Breach XXXX Copy of This Letter

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief