Consumer complaint received 2025-06-12 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: CICA Collection Agency, Inc.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
This complaint is filed regarding improper debt collection and credit reporting practices related to an account originally held with XXXX and later transferred to CICA Collection Agency, which I have since fully paid off as of XX/XX/XXXX. 

At the time I was contacted by CICA, I was unaware that I had the right to request debt validation, dispute the debt, or that their collection activity could violate federal law. I now assert that the actions taken by both XXXX and CICA violated my rights under : The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.

The CARES Act Section 4021, which amended FCRA in 2020.

CFPB Bulletin 2020-03, governing disaster-related relief and reporting obligations.

Factual Timeline ( from XXXX Response ) : Account Opened : XX/XX/XXXX COVID Forbearance Request : XX/XX/XXXX ( Denied on XX/XX/XXXX due to delinquency ) Account Charged-Off : XX/XX/XXXX, with balance of {$2200.00} Referred to CICA : XX/XX/XXXX First Payment to CICA : XX/XX/XXXX Final Payment Made : XX/XX/XXXX Total Paid : {$2200.00} Current Balance : {$0.00} ( Paid in full ) Current Address Since : Early XXXX I no longer reside in XXXX XXXX Violations Committed : 1. No Debt Validation Notice from CICA ( FDCPA 1692g ( a ) ) CICA failed to provide a written debt validation notice within five days of initial contact. I was never advised in writing of : My right to dispute the debt, The name of the creditor ( XXXX  ), The total amount owed. 
This is a clear violation of the FDCPAs mandatory procedures and deprived me of my right to challenge the debt. 

2. Continued Collection After Cease Request ( FDCPA 1692c ( c ) ) I specifically requested that XXXX not refer my case to third parties. Despite this, the account was sent to CICA, which persistently contacted me and ultimately pressured me into a payment plan. Continued collection after a no-contact request is a violation.

3. Failure to Investigate Credit Dispute ( FCRA 1681i ( a ) ) Even after I disputed this matter through the CFPB portal, neither XXXX nor CICA took corrective steps to reassess how the account was reported. Credit reports still reflect derogatory marks, despite full payment, pandemic hardship, and lack of legally required disclosures.

4. Inaccurate and Harmful Credit Reporting Post-COVID ( FCRA + CARES Act 4021 ) I applied for COVID-19 relief on XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX denied it on XX/XX/XXXX due to delinquency. 
However, the CARES Act required creditors to report accounts as current if any accommodation was made or applied for in good faitheven if payment was delayed due to hardship.

My credit was damaged by reporting of charge-offs and late payments during a federally declared emergency.

5. No Effort to Confirm My New Address After Moving I moved to Virginia in early XXXX. I never received any mailed notices from CICA or XXXX after that. Sending legal notices to my old XXXX XXXX addresswhile actively collecting on my U.S. mainland incomeis a failure of due process and fair communication. 

Requested Remedies : Complete removal of the credit card tradeline from all credit reports ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ). 
Refund of the full amount paid ( {$2200.00} ) based on coercive and unverified collection practices. 
Cease-and-desist order to prevent any future contact by CICA or XXXX related XXXXo this matter. 
Official apology and letter of correction from XXXX and/or CICA acknowledging mishandling of relief eligibility and failure to validate. 
Investigation by the CFPB and referral to the XXXX XXXX XXXXpartment of Consumer Affairs for pattern or practice violations. Assessment of civil penalties and regulatory action under FDCPA and FCRA.

Closing Statement : I filed this complaint in good faith, now understanding that paying the debt did not forfeit my rights. The way CICA and XXXX handled this casefailing to validate the debt, ignoring disaster relief guidelines, and misreporting my credithas caused lasting financial harm. 

I request that the CFPB exercise its authority under 12 U.S.C. 5531 ( c ) to enforce remedies and restore fairness to this process. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation