Consumer complaint received 2025-11-17 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I am reporting identity theft involving the unauthorized use of my personal information and the fraudulent reporting of a collection account. A collection account that was removed from my credit reports in XXXX has reappeared on my consumer report as of XX/XX/XXXX. I did not authorize this account, I do not owe this debt, and I have never had any relationship or account with the original creditor or the collection agency currently reporting it. I was never notified by the collection agency or any consumer reporting agency about the reinsertion of this account, nor have I received any validation notice, billing statement, or written communication regarding this alleged debt. I learned of the reappearance only after receiving an alert from my credit monitoring service. Subject : Illegal Reinsertion of Previously Deleted Collection Account, Identity Theft, and Multiple Violations of Federal and Texas Law I am filing this complaint because a fraudulent collection account that was previously removed from my consumer reports in XXXX, has suddenly reappeared on my consumer reports as of XX/XX/XXXX. I did not receive any notice from the furnisher or from any of the consumer reporting agencies. I only learned of the reinsertion through an alert from my credit monitoring service. I do not owe this debt, I have never had a relationship with the creditor or collector, and no company has ever notified me of any debt, validation rights, or adverse reporting. The reappearance of this previously deleted account indicates identity theft, unlawful reinsertion, unauthorized use of my personal information, and multiple violations of federal and state law. FACTS OF THE INCIDENT A collection account was deleted from all three of my consumer reports in XXXX after disputes and investigations. On XX/XX/XXXX, the same collection account reappeared on my credit reports. I received no 5-day reinsertion notice, which is required by federal law. I received no debt validation letter, as required under the FDCPA. I have no relationship with the creditor or collector. This is a case of identity theft and unlawful reporting using my personal data without authorization. FEDERAL LAWS VIOLATED 1. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. a. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) Illegal Reinsertion of Deleted Information CRAs may not reinsert previously deleted data unless the furnisher certifies accuracy and the CRA sends the consumer written notice within 5 business days. I received no notice, and the account was simply reinserted without my knowledge. b. 1681e ( b ) Failure to Maintain Maximum Possible Accuracy Re-reporting a previously deleted account without verification violates the CRAs accuracy obligations. c. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) Furnishing Information Known to Be Inaccurate The collector reported information that had already been proven inaccurate in 2022. d. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 7 ) Failure to Notify Consumer of Negative Information Furnishers must notify consumers within 30 days of reporting negative information. I received no notification. e. 1681b ( f ) Obtaining or Using a Consumer Report Without Permissible Purpose Furnishers who re-report fraudulent or invalid debts lack a permissible purpose. f. 1681c & 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ) Obsolete Information Prohibition Re-reporting a previously removed account violates limits on reporting outdated or invalid debt. XXXX. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ( Applies if the furnisher is a debt collector ) a. 1692g ( a ) Failure to Provide Debt Validation Notice I never received a written validation notice within 5 days of initial communication or reporting. b. 1692e False, Deceptive, or Misleading Representations Reporting a fraudulent or previously deleted debt is a deceptive practice. Reinserting a removed debt misrepresents the legal status of the debt. XXXX XXXXXXXX  Unfair or Unconscionable Means Debt parkingplacing a collection on a consumer report without prior notice is an unfair practice. d. 1692e ( 8 ) Failure to Communicate a Disputed Debt Reporting a disputed debt without noting the dispute is unlawful. 3. Federal Trade Commission Act ( FTC Act ), 15 U.S.C. 45 ( a ) Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Re-reporting a fraudulent and deleted account without notification is a deceptive practice. 4. Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, 18 U.S.C. 1028 Unauthorized use of my identifying information to create, maintain, or re-report an account constitutes identity theft. TEXAS STATE LAWS VIOLATED I reside in Texas. The following state laws apply : Texas Debt Collection Act ( TDCA ), XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX ( a ) Fraudulent, Deceptive, or Misleading Representations Violations include : Misrepresenting the character or amount of a debt Attempting to collect a debt the consumer does not owe Reporting information known to be false or inaccurate 392.202 Failure to Correct or Investigate Disputed Information Furnishers must investigate disputed information within 30 days. Re-reporting previously deleted information violates accuracy and investigation requirements. 392.301 & 392.303 Unfair or Abusive Collection Practices Debt parking and false credit threats constitute unlawful coercion. Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act ( DTPA ), XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Prohibits : False, misleading, or deceptive acts Misrepresentations concerning consumer credit Failing to disclose material facts Reporting fraudulent or inaccurate debts Under DTPA, consumers may pursue : Actual damages Treble damages for intentional misconduct Attorney fees Texas Identity Theft Enforcement & Protection ActXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Code XXXX Prohibits the use, possession, or disclosure of personal identifying information without consent. Reappearance of a fraudulent debt indicates misuse of my identity.

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