Consumer complaint received 2025-07-04 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: MERCANTILE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU, LLC
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I am writing in response to your recent correspondence by reporting to my credit report regarding the alleged debt you claim I owe. As per my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) and the guidelines outlined by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), I previously requested proper validation of this debt through the credit bureau. However, the information you provided does not constitute sufficient proof of my obligation to pay you. I was never properly notified of the debt in order to dispute it prior to reporting it to my credit report. I dont recall authorizing your company in particular to have a purpose to report with ANY signed agreement. Below is the letter I sent directly to this collection agency. I never received any follow up and my credit has been tarnished as a result of their unlawful collection reporting.

" To Whom it May Concern, I am writing to demand that you immediately cease all attempts to collect on the debt you allege I owe. I do not recognize this debt, and I am formally disputing its validity. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), specifically 15 U.S.C. 1692c ( c ), you must cease all further communication with me regarding this alleged debt, including phone calls, letters, emails, and any other forms of contact. 

Account number : XXXX, I need to see all paperwork and contracts with my signature that would verify ownership. Remove this account immediately. 

Demand for Documentation In addition to ceasing all collection activity, I demand that you provide me with the following documentation to validate the debt : Agreement with Original Creditor : A copy of the agreement between your agency and the original creditor, authorizing you to collect on this debt.

Original Agreement : A copy of the original agreement or contract with the original creditor that clearly shows my signature, proving that I agreed to the terms and conditions of the original debt.

Complete Chain of Title : A full and complete chain of title on this account, detailing each transfer or sale of the account from the original creditor to your agency, demonstrating that you have the legal right to collect this debt.

Contract Confirming Debt Obligation to Your Agency : Any documentation that indicates I entered into an agreement with your agency, showing that I consented to pay this debt specifically to you.

Additionally, I advise you that the original agreement includes an arbitration clause. Therefore, any legal action or dispute involving this debt should follow the arbitration process outlined in that agreement. Continuing collection attempts without adhering to the terms of the original contract may constitute a breach of contract.

Violations of the FDCPA By sending harassing collection letters, calling me repeatedly, and reporting this disputed debt to the credit bureaus without a permissible purpose, you are in direct violation of several provisions of the FDCPA, including but not limited to : 15 U.S.C. 1692d Prohibition Against Harassment : Repeated calls and letters from your agency constitute harassment, which is strictly prohibited under this section.

15 U.S.C. 1692e False or Misleading Representations : Reporting a disputed and unverified debt to the credit bureaus may be considered a misleading representation, as you have no confirmed basis for collecting this debt.

15 U.S.C. 1692f Prohibition of Unfair Practices : Attempting to collect a debt without proper validation or verification of its legitimacy is an unfair practice under the FDCPA.

15 U.S.C. 1681b Permissible Purpose Requirement : Reporting this alleged debt to credit reporting agencies without a legitimate permissible purpose is a violation of my privacy and rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ).

Final Demand for Deletion and Warning of Legal Action If the alleged debt is not fully validated and documented within 30 days, or if it is not deleted from my credit report, I will pursue arbitration or file a lawsuit for your violations of the FDCPA and FCRA. Additionally, I will seek monetary compensation for damages caused by your unlawful and harassing collection practices.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I expect a prompt and complete response, along with the deletion of the alleged debt from my credit report within the specified timeframe. '' Nothing ever happened as a result of me sending communication and my credit has been tarnished.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation