Consumer complaint received 2025-05-10 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: Advanced Resolution Services Inc.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
I am writing to formally respond to the rebuttal dated XX/XX/XXXX, submitted by Advanced Resolution Services , Inc. ( ARS ) regarding my initial complaint. Their letter contains multiple inconsistencies and procedural failures, and I am requesting continued investigation and regulatory review. 

Inconsistencies and Concerns in ARS 's Response : Contradiction About Activity Status : ARS states in its letter that it discontinued the XXXX XXXX XXXX as of XX/XX/XXXX, and that it has " ceased providing consumer reports to third parties. '' Inconsistency : If ARS ceased operations and reporting in XX/XX/XXXX, then any current or recent reporting, or data sharing post-XXXX  XXXX, is unauthorized or inaccurate. My complaint pertains to actions after this date, which ARS has not addressed directly. 

Possible Violation : Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S. Code 1681b, consumer information may only be provided to third parties for a permissible purpose. Continuing to process or share such information after service discontinuation may constitute a violation. 

Lack of Accountability Regarding Errors : My original complaint requested correction of inaccurate information and placement of a security freeze. ARS did not address whether the data in question was ever corrected or whether a freeze was applied. 

Violation : Under FCRA 1681i, a consumer reporting agency must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation when a consumer disputes the accuracy of information. ARS appears to have evaded this responsibility. 

Improper Request for Sensitive Information Without Legal Justification : ARS is requesting a full Social Security Number, proof of identity, and mailing address without offering any secure method of transmission or privacy assurancea significant security risk. 

Concern : The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the FCRA both mandate that companies collecting consumer data maintain appropriate safeguards. 

Their blanket request for sensitive identity documentation, without proper security protocols in place, is troubling and may violate FCRA 1681b ( e ) which requires reasonable procedures to protect confidentiality. 

Failure to Provide Transparency or Contractual Basis : ARS did not provide evidence showing I ever authorized them to collect or maintain any consumer data. 

There is no explanation of where they received my data from, nor any contractual or permissible basis for having or reporting it. 

Violation : Under FCRA 1681e ( b ), consumer reporting agencies must follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy. Holding or sharing consumer data without a valid origin or consent undermines this principle. 

Obstruction of Consumer Rights Under FCRA : ARS is attempting to place the burden entirely on me to prove my identity before investigating or correcting inaccuraciesdespite the fact that my original complaint was filed through the CFPB, a federally recognized and secure platform. 

They are refusing to engage unless I mail physical identification documents, which is a barrier to consumer rights and may discourage legitimate disputes.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation