Consumer complaint received 2026-05-21 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: Blitt and Gaines, P.C.
State: KS

Complaint narrative:
Blitt and Gaines , P.C . is attempting to collect a XXXX XXXX, XXXX. debt that I do not owe because the alleged debt is the result of identity theft. Blitt and Gaines sent me a collection letter dated XX/XX/XXXX. The letter identifies Blitt and Gaines , P.C . as a debt collector, lists reference number XXXX, identifies a XXXX XXXX account ending in XXXX, and claims I owe {$5800.00} as of XX/XX/XXXX. I dispute this alleged debt in full. This is not my debt. The alleged XXXX XXXX debt is the result of identity theft. My FTC Identity Theft Report number XXXX identifies XXXX XXXX accounts as fraudulent and states that the accounts were not opened, made, or initiated by me. I signed that report under penalty of perjury on XX/XX/XXXX. Before Blitt and Gaines responds with boilerplate, I want to preempt the predictable excuses. XXXX XXXX placed the account with us is not validation. A creditor placement file is not proof that I opened, authorized, used, or benefited from the account. XXXX XXXX verified it is not enough either. If XXXX XXXX is the same entity accused of furnishing, reporting, or placing an identity-theft debt, then XXXX XXXX bare confirmation can not be treated as independent proof that I owe the debt. Matching my name, address, phone number, Social Security number, date of birth, or partial account number is not proof of liability. Identity thieves use real identifying information. Identity matching only proves that my information may have been used ; it does not prove that I created, authorized, used, or benefited from the account. A charge-off balance is not proof of personal liability. A charged-off account can still be fraudulent. A balance, charge-off notation, collection placement record, account screen print, creditor spreadsheet, automated system response, or generic account summary does not establish that I owe the debt. This matter also raises serious FCRA concerns. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681m ( f ) ( 1 ), no person may sell, transfer for consideration, or place for collection a debt after being notified under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 that the debt resulted from identity theft. If XXXX XXXX received notice through the credit reporting agency process that this account resulted from identity theft, then placing this alleged debt with Blitt and Gaines for collection appears improper under 15 U.S.C. 1681m ( f ) ( 1 ) and 1681m ( f ) ( 2 ). Now that Blitt and Gaines has been notified that the information relating to this alleged debt may be fraudulent or the result of identity theft, Blitt and Gaines has duties under 15 U.S.C. 1681m ( g ) ( 1 ) - ( 2 ). Blitt and Gaines must notify XXXX XXXX that the information may be fraudulent or may be the result of identity theft, and upon my request must provide me all information I would otherwise be entitled to receive if I were disputing the debt. Blitt and Gaines should not claim this is merely a credit reporting issue. It is a debt-collection issue because Blitt and Gaines is attempting to collect {$5800.00} from me. It is also tied to FCRA identity-theft protections because the alleged debt was identified as identity theft and should not be placed or pursued for collection after proper identity-theft notice. Blitt and Gaines should not keep collecting while hiding behind we are investigating. Under 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ), once I dispute the debt in writing within the validation period, the debt collector must cease collection until it obtains verification of the debt and mails that verification to me. Attempting to collect an identity-theft debt that I do not owe appears false, deceptive, and misleading under 15 U.S.C. 1692e, including 1692e ( 2 ) ( A ), because it misrepresents the character, amount, or legal status of the alleged debt. It also appears deceptive under 1692e ( 10 ), unfair or unconscionable under 1692f, and an improper attempt to collect an amount not authorized by any agreement I made under 1692f ( 1 ). This is not a routine XXXX XXXX collection matter. Blitt and Gaines is attempting to collect a debt that I have identified as identity theft through an FTC Identity Theft Report signed under penalty of perjury. I believe this conduct appears deceptive, unfair, devious, potentially fraudulent, and in reckless or willful disregard of my rights under the FDCPA and FCRA.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation