Consumer complaint received 2025-08-22 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Private student loan debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Ascent Holding Co
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
VIA CERTIFIED U.S. MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, NY XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX Ascent Funding LLC . XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, SD XXXX RE : CEASE AND DESIST & DEMAND FOR VALIDATION Account No : XXXX / Loan # XXXX Original Creditor : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX To Whom It May Concern : This letter serves as a formal cease and desist notice and a demand for validation of an alleged debt you are attempting to collect from me. I am writing regarding your continued attempts to collect on the above-referenced account. Your actions have been excessive, harassing, and legally questionable. You are now required to cease all collection activity immediately and provide a full accounting and legal basis for your claims. 
1. Cease and Desist Harassment and Abuse Your continued communications, threats, and repeated letters amount to harassment under 15 U.S.C. 1692d of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). I demand that you cease and desist from contacting me in any form, including phone, email, mail, or electronic communication.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ) : A debt collector who pursues collection without verifying the debt violates FDCPA. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : Confirms attorneys and collectors are bound by the FDCPA when attempting to collect debts. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  ) : Use of false, misleading, or harassing communication in debt collection is prohibited. 
2. Demand for Full Validation of Debt Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ), I hereby demand you provide the following within 30 days : A full, itemized validation of the alleged debt, including original balance, interest, fees, and payment history ; A copy of the original signed agreement or promissory note with my signature ; A complete bill of sale and forward flow agreement from each alleged transfer, proving legal assignment to XXXX XXXX ; A chain of custody of ownership from XXXX XXXX Bank to Barings XXXX XXXX XXXX, then to Ascent, and any intermediary ; Copies of all collection attempts, letters, notices, or communications sent by you or prior agencies ; Written proof of jurisdictional authority to collect in New York State and/or to report to national credit bureaus . 
Until you comply, collection activity must cease immediately perXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX. XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) : failure to validate a debt prohibits further collection activity. 
3. Violations of Federal Law Your ongoing efforts may constitute violations of : FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692c, 1692d, 1692e, 1692g ) ; FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ) : Reporting of unvalidated or inaccurate information ; CFPB Act ( 12 U.S.C. 5536 ) : Unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices ( UDAAP ) ; Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 6801 ) : Potential misuse of nonpublic personal information. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : FDCPA violations based on legal errors are not excused ; strict liability applies. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX ( XXXX. XXXX ) : Letters not properly identifying the debt or the rights of the consumer violate FDCPA. 
4. Demand for Deletion from Credit Reports If this debt can not be legally validated or assigned, you must immediately delete all tradelines, entries, and derogatory remarks related to this debt from XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX  under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 
If you report or continue to report this account without verification, you will be liable under : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX ) : Credit bureaus and furnishers must conduct reasonable investigations ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) : Failureto delete or correct inaccurate tradelines after dispute creates private right of action. 
5. Notice of Intent to File Complaint and Counterclaim If these actions are not remedied, I will file formal complaints with the : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) New York State Attorney General New York Department of Financial Services ( NYDFS ) Additionally, I reserve the right to file a counterclaim for statutory damages, emotional distress, attorney fees, and injunctive relief in any legal proceeding that may be initiated based on this disputed debt.

6. No Admission of Liability This letter is not an acknowledgment or admission of any debt. All rights are reserved under the law. No further contact is permitted except to provide the above-requested documentation or confirmation that the matter is closed and credit entries have been deleted. 
Final Demand You have 10 days to comply with the above or this matter will escalate. Provide written confirmation of closure and deletion of all tradelines immediately. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, NY XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation