Consumer complaint received 2026-03-25 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Private student loan debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: Cedars Business Services, LLC
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
Formal Complaint Inaccurate Collection Reporting Furnisher : Cedars Business Services Original Creditor XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am submitting this formal complaint regarding Cedars Business Services for the inaccurate reporting of a collection account on my consumer credit report. The account referenced above is being reported as a new collection account opened XX/XX/XXXX, with a balance of {$4500.00}. However, the alleged contractual relationship with the original creditor XXXX XXXX XXXX was opened and closed in XXXX, and therefore the current reporting is materially inaccurate and misleading. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and XXXX XXXX Compliance Standards, furnishers are required to report information with maximum possible accuracy and maintain accurate Date of First Delinquency ( DOFD ) and account history. The reporting of this account appears to violate multiple federal consumer protection provisions including : 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) Furnishers may not report information they know or have reasonable cause to believe is inaccurate. 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 2 ) Furnishers must correct and update information to ensure accuracy. 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) Consumer reporting agencies must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy. Additionally, according to XXXX XXXX reporting guidelines, collection agencies must accurately report : Date of First Delinquency ( DOFD ) Account status history Contractual relationship timeline Accurate account opening dates Reporting a XXXX collection account for a contractual relationship that ended in XXXX creates a misleading representation of the debt timeline and XXXX constitute re-aging of the account, which is prohibited under federal consumer law. Because the underlying contract ended in XXXX, the account information being reported in XXXX is inaccurate and does not reflect the true status or timeline of the alleged obligation. Furthermore, the conduct of Cedars Business Services may also violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). Under 15 U.S.C. 1692e, a debt collector may not use false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of any debt, including misrepresenting the legal status, character, or age of a debt. If Cedars Business Services purchased this account and is attempting to collect on it while inaccurately representing the timeline or legal status of the debt, such conduct may constitute a violation of the FDCPA. Because the underlying contract ended in XXXX, the reporting of this account as a new collection account opened in XXXX creates a misleading and inaccurate credit reporting record that is harmful to my consumer credit profile. Additionally, the original company associated with this alleged debt, Achieve Test Prep ( affiliated with entities involved in the Federal Trade Commission action against XXXX XXXX XXXX ), has been the subject of federal enforcement for deceptive and unlawful practices. The FTC determined these entities engaged in a bogus credit repair scheme and charged illegal upfront fees, resulting in a court-ordered settlement and restitution to consumers. I have received a refund check issued through this FTC action, confirming my status as an affected consumer. Pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), furnishers are prohibited from reporting information they know or have reasonable cause to believe is inaccurate. Further, under FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 2 ), furnishers must correct and update information to ensure complete and accurate reporting. Reporting or attempting to collect on a debt arising from a transaction deemed deceptive and unlawful by a federal agency constitutes inaccurate and misleading reporting. Additionally, under XXXX XXXX reporting standards, all furnished data must meet requirements of accuracy, integrity, and compliance, including proper account status, validity of the underlying obligation, and truthful representation of the consumers liability. A debt originating from a federally sanctioned deceptive scheme can not meet XXXX XXXX compliance standards and is therefore unreportable. Based on the above, this account is legally invalid, inaccurately reported, and noncompliant with federal law and XXXX XXXX standards, and must be immediately deleted from all consumer reporting agencies and all collection activity permanently ceased. I am requesting that the CFPB investigate this matter and require Cedars Business Services and the associated consumer reporting agencies to : 1. Conduct a full reinvestigation of this account. 2. Provide documented proof of the alleged debt, including the original signed contract and complete account history. 3. Provide proof of the legally compliant Date of First Delinquency ( DOFD ). XXXX. Demonstrate compliance with XXXX XXXX reporting standards. XXXX. Immediately delete this account from my consumer credit reports if the furnisher can not provide complete and accurate verification. Failure to maintain accurate reporting standards harms consumers and violates federal consumer protection laws designed to ensure fair and accurate credit reporting. If XXXX XXXX XXXX can not produce competent evidence validating the alleged debt and its reporting timeline, the continued reporting of this account should be considered inaccurate and should be permanently removed from my consumer credit files. I appreciate the CFPB 's assistance in ensuring compliance with federal law and protecting consumers from inaccurate credit reporting. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Federal Trade Commission Georgia XXXX Attorney General Better Business Bureau

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation