Consumer complaint received 2024-06-03 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Auto debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action — Threatened to sue you for very old debt
Company: MacDowell & Associates, Ltd.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against XXXX for unethical business practices, including the sale of a defective vehicle and the unauthorized distribution of my personal information to multiple third-party debt collectors, resulting in financial losses and the potential for identity theft. 
On XXXX XXXX, I purchased a XXXX, XXXX XXXX from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. Shortly after the purchase, I began experiencing severe issues with the transmission. Despite numerous attempts to have the issue resolved through XXXX 's service department, it became clear that the vehicle had pre-existing transmission issues known to XXXX at the time of sale. Selling a vehicle with known defects without disclosing such information is deceptive and constitutes a breach of trust and fair dealing. 
Adding to this distress, I have discovered that XXXX has sold my personal information, including sensitive financial details, to multiple third-party debt collectors without my consent. This unauthorized distribution of my personal data has led to significant financial losses, harassment from debt collectors, and has exposed me to the severe risk of identity theft and related harms. 
XXXX 's actions are in clear violation of several federal laws, including but not limited to : 15 U.S. Code 45 - Unfair methods of competition unlawful ; prevention by Commission : The sale of a defective vehicle with known transmission issues constitutes an unfair and deceptive practice. 
15 U.S. Code 1681b - Permissible purposes of consumer reports : The unauthorized distribution of my personal information to third parties without my consent is a violation of this statute, which outlines permissible purposes for accessing and sharing consumer reports. 
15 U.S. Code 1681c-1 - Identity theft prevention ; fraud alerts and XXXX XXXX alerts : The actions of XXXX have increased the risk of identity theft, and their failure to protect my personal information is a violation of this statute. 
15 U.S. Code 1681m - Requirements on users of consumer reports : This statute mandates that users of consumer reports provide proper notification and obtain consent before using or sharing such information. XXXX actions clearly contravene these requirements. 
The actions of XXXX have caused me considerable distress and financial damage. Specifically : Transmission Issues : The defective vehicle has resulted in substantial repair costs, inconvenience, and safety concerns. 
Unauthorized Sale of XXXX XXXX XXXX  The dissemination of my personal information has led to unwarranted debt collection attempts, financial losses, and the potential for identity theft. 
These actions are not only unethical but also violate consumer protection laws. I request the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) to investigate XXXX 's business practices, particularly their sale of defective vehicles and unauthorized handling of consumer information. 
I seek the following resolutions : Full reimbursement for the repair costs incurred due to the transmission issues. 
Immediate cessation of any further sale of my personal information. 
Assurance that my personal information has been permanently removed from all third-party debt collectors ' databases. 
Compensation for the financial losses and emotional distress caused by these actions. 
I have enclosed copies of all relevant documentation, including the purchase agreement, repair records, correspondence with XXXX, and evidence of the unauthorized debt collection attempts. 
Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious matter. I trust that the CFPB will take appropriate action to hold XXXX accountable and prevent other consumers from experiencing similar issues. 


Sincerely, [ XXXX XXXX ]

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation