vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2016-07-19 00:00:00
Product: Consumer Loan — Installment loan
Issue: Managing the loan or lease — 
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I purchased a mattress and decided to utilize the for 0 % financing option offered through XXXX XXXX XXXX and managed by Synchrony Bank. 

The payments commenced in XXXX XXXX. I opted thier mail option ; to pay by check and mail it in. ( I use the mail-in option for all of my monthly bills with other companies ). 

In XXXX XXXX, I had mailed my check on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX ( payments are due on the XXXX of each month ). The following month, the XXXX XXXX statement, I noticed a late fee. The payment I had sent on-time was posted on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX. 

I followed their dispute resolution process and sent a letter to them in XXXX. I never received a response. 

I sent a second letter in XXXX XXXX and again never received a response. 

I sent a XXXX letter in XXXX. I never received a response. 

I then finally received a response letter stating that they did not know why the check was posted late and would refund all the late fees and interest on my account. They did in fact correct the balance on my account. 

Now in XXXX of XXXX, I sent my payment as usual, however a week later, the XXXX XXXX returned my envelope to me. It was post-marked XXXX XXXX, XXXX, and the post office tag cited it as " XXXX/XXXX/XXXX return to sender : no such number : unable to forward ''. 

I double-checked the address on my statement as well as called the company, and I was told the address was correct. I explained that the envelope was returned to me, the representative stated they did not have an answer why, that it must have been a post office error. 

I decided to re-send the same unopened/sealed envelope, as is, on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. 

I also sent letter to their dispute department with a photocopy of the envelope clearly identifying the postmarks. 

My payment cleared my bank account on XXXX XXXX, so clearly they received the envelope, however, again it was posted late to my account. 

My XXXX statement arrive on XXXX XXXX with again, another late fee processed. 

I have sent the XXXX dispute letter for this charge and again included a photocopy of the envelope. I noted the post-marks, which clearly supports my suspicion that they are intentionally delaying payment processing. 

This is the second time in less than a year that Synchrony Bank has delayed processing my on-time payments. They still offer mail-in payments, yet they delay processing these payments and charge late fees. I believe they are purposefully doing this, whether to force a late fee charge, or through pure negligence and incompetence. Whatever the reason, they offer mail-in payments and thus should be able to process those payments appropriately and to industry standards. 

I have never had any problems with any other company processing my payments. On most occasions, my checks are clearing within XXXX5 days after I put them in the mail.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-07-24 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: AL

Complaint narrative:
In 2013 I had an appointment with XXXX XXXX in XXXX for a problem with XXXX XXXX. The ad I responded to stated that is not successful there would be no cost. 
I received an XXXX that did not satisfy my problem. My problem was I signed a contract expecting good things to come from this treatment. I was presented the contract and was told this was nothing to be concerned about, just part of the process. I also told the interviewer that I would be eligible for Medicare in a few months and was covered by XXXX. The interviewer ( XXXX ) told me XXXX paid good. I made the mistake and gave him my Care Credit card showing my good faith. I received a call from Care Credit a few days later ( taken by my Wife ) asking If I was sure I wanted to continue with this account. At this time I felt I would receive XXXX. I was given XXXX XXXX to take home and use, but never got any positive response. I aske for a refund in cost paid. They asked me to make another appointment. I do not trust the clinic and fear for my health is I went back.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-28 00:00:00
Product: Bank account or service — Other bank product/service
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management — 
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: KY

Complaint narrative:
Sychrony Bank has behaved negligently in the fraudulent issuance of credit under my name. 
My personal data has been stolen, probably as a result of the XXXX Hack. I first learned of this in XXXX 2017 when someone opened a credit card and forwarded my mail. I intercepted that effort, placed a fraud alert with XXXX ( which passed to XXXX and XXXX XXXX automatically ). Then I began actively monitoring my data with an online service. 
Moreover, upon review of my credit report on about XXXX XXXX, 2017, I saw that Synchrony had pulled my credit report on XXXX XXXX, 2017. I called to alert them to the fraud on or about XXXX XXXX, and after I identified myself ( giving my Social Sec. Number ), they informed me that an online application was received and declined XXXX XXXX, 2017, but that they would put a fraud alert on my information, noting that the application was fraudulent. 

I received an alert from my monitoring system of an issuance of credit yesterday, XXXX XXXX. It was from Synchrony Bank, which had issued a major credit card in my name, despite the fraud alert I had given them directly weeks ago, and despite the fraud alert currently on my credit report. They did not attempt to contact me. Moreover, they issued the credit despite an inaccurate date of birth given by the applicant. 
After two hours on the phone, I found that the initial credit report from XXXX XXXX had been received under an incorrect social security number, hence the fraud alert did n't trigger the second XXXX ( this despite that I had called them directly with the correct SS # ). The representative explained that their system attempts to correct for minor typos. The clear implication is that applications are matched despite typos, but fraud alerts are not. Moreover, the fraud alert on the actual credit report, which they received XXXX/XXXX/17, was simply ignored. 
This smacks of extreme negligence, if not outright complicity in the fraud. I have been assured by Synchrony that my fraud alert with them is now completely integrated with my data, and will not be circumvented. However, it is a bit hard to trust them. 

Also, I should mention that my mail has been forwarded, twice now, in order for the perpetrators to receive the credit cards issued. I have filed a complaint with the postal inspectors.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-04-06 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Credit line increase/decrease — 
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: WI

Complaint narrative:
My credit limit on XXXX credit cards with Synchrony were lowered due to a credit bureau pull they completed to under the amount owed or at the amount owed. This was a XXXX card and a XXXX card only that I applied for in order to help improve my credit. the XXXX card was lowered to XXXX and the XXXX card lowered to XXXX. They say it was due to items on my bureau? First, although they can adjust my limit at anytime per my agreement, I never authorized these bureau pulls. And since my husband and I gross over XXXX per year, and these were medical bills in dispute, when they are either paid or settled, will synchrony restore the prior limit? Also, how is this fair to consumers as now this has also lowered my credit score even more, as it now looks like the credit utilization for these accounts are at 100 % when before they were not. So they XXXX pull my bureaus and then also lower my score even more??? And these are on small cards? I could understand if we had a large reduction in income or debt owed with very high balances. But that is not the case. It was medical bills that were well under XXXX which is less than 2 % of our gross income?

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-03 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Closing/Cancelling account — 
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I got incorrect information dorm the bank and the creditor ask to send a letter form the bank explaining for the account to be reopened and they lied.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-11 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Sale of account — 
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: OK

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX, XXXX Synchrony Bank Payment Research Department I had a XXXX XXXX Credit Card through your bank. The card was transferred to XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. I got a new card but I did not change the Account Number on my online banking. As a result I sent two payments to Synchrony Bank. These payments should have gone to my new XXXX XXXX XXXX account. 
I have had a great deal of trouble communicating with Synchrony Bank and would really appreciate some help with this issue. 
I made two electronic payments. 
{$140.00} on XXXX XXXX, XXXX {$81.00} on XXXX XXXX, XXXX I used my XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The payments did not bounce back to my account or get transferred. 
My contact information is : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I would like those payments transferred to my XXXX XXXX XXXX account # XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I am including my Banks Proof of Payment

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Payoff process — 
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
My credit limit was increased without my knowledge or request. I never opted-in or was informed of this policy. This creates a situation where additional charges could be made on my account by someone who has stolen my financial data. It can affect my credit score. 
In addition, the information available to the customer online does not accurately reflect recurring payments pending. The payment is n't posted for XXXX hours and because the customer does not see it listed as pending, the customer may wonder whether or not it is being processed. This would not be of great concern except that the interest could increase by as much as 20 % if XXXX payment is past due. The customer is allowed to schedule payments on a date other than the due date, but if they do so, it may prevent a recurring payment from being processed for the upcoming due date. A customer has no way of knowing this until after the payment is not processed. Because of this, an extra payment on an account may cause unexpected results. The recurring payment agreement can only be seen on the paper bill or by downloading a copy of the paper bill. 
This all seems like an effective way to confuse a consumer enough to miss a payment allowing the increase of interest applied to the original balance of the purchase. 
If online accounting and bill payments are allowed, all activity should be listed clearly under XXXX report or statement. Instead, there are XXXX different " summaries '', " reports '', " history '', or " statements '' none of which reflect all current, scheduled, pending, or past activity. I have never seen such a mess of accounting from any bank or credit card.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-08-05 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
In XXXX of this year ( 2016 ) I obtained my credit reports from all XXXX credit bureaus, I discovered XXXX XXXX, XXXX ( XXXX '' ) reporting a trade-line on my consumer credit files for an amount of {$950.00} for GE CAPITAL RETAIL BANK. 

I mailed a XXXX a 'Demand for Validation ' letter including a copy of my credit report displaying the trade-line via USPS certified Mail Tracking ( # XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( letter attached ). I received a reply from XXXX XXXX, XXXX stating that, " Unfortunately we are unable to locate your account in our system '' ( results attached ). XXXX XXXX, XXXX failed to acknowledge my dispute and continues to report the erroneous trade-line. 

I disputed the trade-line furnished by XXXX XXXX, XXXX with XXXX and XXXX USPS Certified Mail ( Letter Attached ) and remains on my XXXX separate credit reports.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-09-20 00:00:00
Product: Consumer Loan — Installment loan
Issue: Problems when you are unable to pay — 
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: OR

Complaint narrative:
It started with the need to get help for my cat who was XXXX. So I headed to the Vets Because I 'm on a fixed income, ( a non-service related XXXX pension ) and have been struggling financially for some time now, I simply did not have the finances to cover the {$72.00} fee to give my cat the needed medical attention. When it was suggested that I open an account with " CareCredit/Synchrony Bank '' to help her, I felt I had little choice. It was either that or let my cat continue to suffer. At the time I was not much concerned with any of the fine print or policies of CareCredit, I was stressed out enough just having to deal with relieving my cat 's suffering. 
I 'm XXXX and barely surviving on the small stipend the XXXX. pays me, so when I received CareCredits first bill stipulating that I pay {$25.00} a month until I pay it off, I immediately called them, and pleaded with the representative that I was already struggling just to survive, and would it be possible if they could be a little flexible with me by allowing me to pay them XXXX or XXXX dollars a month until I pay off the {$72.00}. They said absolutely not! and they stated that for every month I did n't make the {$25.00} payment I would see an increase of {$35.00}. 
Well as of today after missing five months of payments on my bill it has risen to {$220.00}. They have now turned the issue over to " XXXX '', an aggressive collection agency. I 've tried my best to reason with all concerned parties, but to no avail. And they are no longer interested in the XXXX dollars they want the whole {$220.00}. Anyway, any help would be most appreciated. Thank You.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2015-11-30 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Billing disputes — 
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THIS OFFICE BACK IN XXXX 2015 WHEN SYNCHRONY BANKXXXX CHARGED MY ACCOUNT A {$25.00} LATE FEE BECAUSE THEY FAILED 2 APPLY THE FINAL {$5.00} XXXX XXXX MY XXXX ACCOUNT AND THE THIRD BANK ACCOUNT I USED. .ALLOW ME 2 STATE FOR THE RECORD THAT I NEVER APPLIED FOR A XXXX CREDIT CARD WITH ( SYNCHRONY BANK ) I APPLIED 2 ( GE BANK ) AND UP UNTIL THIS ISSUE I NEVER WAS CHARGED ANY EXTRA FEES.NOW THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I INFORMED CFPB & THAT WAS INTEREST FEES THAT HAVE BEEN APPLIED 2 MY ACCOUNT OVER THE PAST 3.50 YEARS FOR ITEMS THAT WERE PURCHASE ON A FLEX PAY OR VALUE PAY THAT ACCORDING 2 XXXX WAS SUPPOSE 2 BE INTEREST FREE.WHICH I BELIEVE IS FALSE ADVERTISING.NOW RECENTLY I LEARNED AN ADDITIONAL LATE FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF {$35.00} AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED 2 CHARGE AND PAY WITH MY DEBT CARD WHICH WAS DENIED BECAUSE SYNCHRONY BANK ONLINE PAYMENT STATED IT THE CARD WAS A CREDIT CARD THAT 'S A LIE BECAUSE IT CLEARLY READS ON MY CARD DEBT AND 2 PROVE IT I WENT AND WITHDREW SOME MONEY @ A LOCAL XXXX AND HAS 2 DEPOSIT IT INTO MY XXXX XXXX XXXXONE MORE THING I BELIEVE IT 'S ILLEGAL FOR A BANK XXXX CONTINUE CHARGING FEES WHEN THE ACCOUNT IS IN DISPUTE.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-06 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: APR or interest rate — 
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
In XX/XX/XXXX my Lowes Credit Card rate on purchases was 24.99 % APR, in XX/XX/XXXX it was raised to 26.99 % APR. When I called about the reason for the increase, the explanation I was given that is was a corporate decision and went into effect for all customers and that it is line with all competitors rates. My Home Depot card is not that high, nor is my XXXX card. I have an issue with this rate as it is only 3 % below the Criminal Usury Statute here in NJ. I will attach statement from XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-28 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — 
Issue: Identity theft / Fraud / Embezzlement — 
Company: BARCLAYS BANK DELAWARE
State: OK

Complaint narrative:
Barclays Bank Delaware XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX DE, XXXX ) has twice in a years time issued a credit card fraudulently in my name to thieves, after contacting XXXX my credit score, XXXX whom I had requested a credit freeze. Additionally, they substituted the phone numbers of the thieves for my contact telephone number into my personal information XXXX. This was just descovered in XXXX while monitoring my credit reports. Finally, after being notified by phone, by mail and by XXXX, they have not removed the fraudlent account from my credit file XXXX after 8 months! XXXX. Please investigate Barclays Bank which appears to be fraudulent themselves.

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt resulted from identity theft
Company: Seattle Service Bureau, Inc
State: TN

Complaint narrative:
I recently was denied credit due to a delinquent bill. National Service Bureau is negatively reporting a collection that does not belong to me. I filed a police report with the XXXX Police Department. Identity theft report # XXXX and Report # XXXX with investigator XXXX. I was a victim of identity theft and I do n't owe this debt and I would like this item removed from my report immediately.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-02-23 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: Convergent Resources, Inc.
State: AL

Complaint narrative:
They call multi times a day. I have already requested the information on said debt be mailed to me as I have NEVER received a single bill for this debt since I stopped service with said company they are collecting on. And the account was closed two years ago. I have n't heard a thing or ever got a final bill from company. And all a sudden they want my FULL social and address and all that. I told them once to send me mail on behave of the company before I would talk anything about the debt as I want to protect my identity. They refused, and are now calling me everyday and if I do n't speak to them they will keep calling like 5 times a day. On top of that they call using ant automatic system that tells me to wait on the next avaible rep as if I called them. I 'm sorry but if they gon na call me they need to speak with me directly not make me wait on hold for them! That 's rude and illegal at that!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-01-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt resulted from identity theft
Company: CMRE Financial Services, Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I have a collections on my account for a XXXX medical bill i do not owe. I have insurance and at the time they are accusing me i did to. I had gotten a letter in The mail a couple years ago from a hospital appologizing that my information and medical files are at risk because some computers were stolen from said hospital. I am very very upset that they keep bothering me. I continuously get mail from them telling me to pay this bill. I have even recieved a phone call a couple of times on my home phone. I will refuse to pay a bill i do not owe.

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-03-26 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: Optimum Outcomes, Inc.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I recently pulled my credit and discovered that this company has reported that I owe them a debt. To my knowledge I have never entered into a financial agreement with this company and neither have they ever provide me goods nor services.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2015-08-12 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Disclosure verification of debt — Not given enough info to verify debt
Company: Harvard Collections, LLC
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
This is a medical debt that was sent to an collection agency ... I sent a debt validation letter disputing that debt and requested that this debt do not be reported to the credit agencies XXXX XXXX XXXX until this matter is resolved.

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-02-03 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Medical
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt is not mine
Company: Optimum Outcomes, Inc.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I am not liable for the Medical charges stated as my insurance was responsible for it at the time bc I was still on my parents insurance.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-12-23 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Communication tactics — Frequent or repeated calls
Company: Convergent Resources, Inc.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
Company continues to call my parents landline phone when I have asked them to stop. They also constantly call my cellular device when I asked them to cease multiple times. 

This debt is from XXXX. I payed my final bill and they tacked a crazy amount of money for leaving their service, which I should not have to owe them a thing.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2016-03-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other (i.e. phone, health club, etc.)
Issue: Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed — Debt resulted from identity theft
Company: Harvard Collections, LLC
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
Someone used my social security #, but with a different name, in XXXX thru XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation