Consumer complaint received 2025-11-25 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this new formal complaint against XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) ( located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, MO XXXX ; Phone : XXXX ) for their continued, willful, and egregious violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692g, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. Despite my previous complaint ( CFPB XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ) and their inadequate response dated XX/XX/year>, XXXX has XXXX to provide any actual validation of the alleged debt. Instead, they have unlawfully shifted their responsibility by merely " forwarding '' my validation request to the original creditor ( Synchrony Bank ), ceased contact without fulfilling their legal duty, and left me in limbo with an unverified debt that could be damaging my credit through the creditor 's reporting. This is predatory, illegal, and a blatant disregard for federal consumer protectionsI demand an immediate, thorough investigation, enforcement penalties against XXXX, and full resolution, including forcing them to obtain and provide the validation or delete any related reporting. 
Case Analysis and Background To provide context, here 's a step-by-step analysis of the situation based on the facts, FDCPA requirements, and XXXX 's evasive actions : Initial Contact and My Dispute : XXXX XXXX contacted me via a letter dated XX/XX/year>, alleging a debt to Synchrony Bank. On XX/XX/year>, I responded with a certified, detailed debt validation demand under FDCPA 1692g, disputing the debt entirely and requiring comprehensive proof ( e.g., original signed contract, chain of title, itemized history, sworn affidavits, etc. ). I explicitly prohibited further contact until full validation and warned of legal consequences. 
XXXX 's Inadequate " Response '' Letter ( Payment Option Notice ) : Instead of validating, XXXX sent a deceptive " Payment Option Notice '' dated XX/XX/year> ( received after my dispute ), which ignored my rights and aggressively pushed sham settlement options ( e.g., XXXX payments totaling less than the alleged amount ) without a shred of evidence. This was a clear attempt to coerce payment on an unproven debt, violating FDCPA 1692e ( false representations ) and 1692g ( b ) ( continuing collection without validation ). 
XXXX 's CFPB Response ( XX/XX/year> ) : In response to my prior CFPB complaint, XXXX admitted receiving the account on XX/XX/year>, from the " original and current creditor '' ( Synchrony Bank ). They claimed to have " forwarded '' my validation request to the creditor, placed my account in " cease and desist '' status, and stated they won't contact me further. They also noted they don't purchase debt, sue, or report to credit bureaustheir efforts are limited to calls, texts, and letters. However : This is NOT compliance with FDCPA 1692g ( b ) : Federal law requires the debt collector ( XXXX ) to obtain verification from the creditor and mail it to the consumer before resuming collection. Merely forwarding my request abdicates their XXXX  XXXX a lazy dodge that leaves consumers unprotected. Courts and CFPB guidance confirm collectors can't just pass the buck ; they must actively verify and provide the information ( e.g., original creditor details, amount verification, etc. ). XXXX has provided ZERO validation documents to date. 
Ongoing Harm Under FCRA : While XXXX claims they don't report to credit bureaus, the original creditor XXXX Synchrony Bank ) likely does. This unvalidated debt could be inaccurately reported on my credit file ( XXXX XXXX XXXX  ), violating FCRA 1681s-2 ( furnishing inaccurate information ). Without validation, I can't confirm if this debt is legitimate, time-barred, erroneous, or fraudulentyet it hangs over my financial life. XXXX 's failure exacerbates this by not forcing verification. 
Predatory Pattern : XXXX 's response is a textbook evasion tactic, pretending to " investigate '' while doing nothing substantive. They " appreciate '' my complaint but offer no resolution, no timeline for validation, and no accountability. This is harassment by inaction, violating FDCPA 1692d. 


In summary, XXXX has partially complied by ceasing contact but flagrantly violated FDCPA by not obtaining and mailing validation. Forwarding alone is insufficientit 's their responsibility as the collector. If Synchrony is the root cause ( e.g., not responding ), XXXX should be held accountable for pursuing unverified debts. This case highlights systemic issues in debt collection, and I urge CFPB to escalate to enforcement, as similar complaints against XXXX exist in your database. 
The Issues FDCPA Violations : Failure to validate despite timely dispute ; continued coercive communications ( payment notice ) without proof ; improper delegation of validation duty. Statutory damages of {$1000.00} per violation are warranted. 
FCRA Violations : Indirect facilitation of inaccurate credit reporting by not verifying the debt, potentially leading to harm from Synchrony 's actions. Demand disclosure of their " validation method '' ( which appears nonexistent ). 
Overall Non-Compliance : XXXX 's response is dismissive and incomplete, resolving nothing while claiming the issue is " closed. '' This merits penalties and oversight. 

What I Want the Company ( XXXX ) to Do Immediately Obtain and Provide Full Validation : Force XXXX  to retrieve ALL requested documents from Synchrony ( original contract, chain of title, itemized history, affidavits, etc. ) and mail them to me within XXXX  XXXX  admit inability and permanently close the account. 
Disclose Validation Method : Reveal in detail their process for verifying debts before collection, including any communications with Synchrony. If inadequate, admit it and cease similar practices. 
Cease All Activity and Confirm Deletion : Verify no further collection or sharing of my data ; if any credit impact exists via Synchrony, coordinate deletion under FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) as unverifiable, with proof sent to me.

Pay Damages : {$1000.00} statutory damages per FDCPA violation, plus actual damages for stress, time, and potential credit harm. I reserve rights to sue federally. 
Systemic Remedies : CFPB should audit XXXX XXXX practices and require training on proper validation.

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