vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Received unsolicited financial product or insurance offers after opting out
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/19 In order to receive a copy of your personal credit report from Experian through their website, one is required to sign up for an account, which also supposedly supplies you with a monthly report ( whether you want that or not ). There is no clear option for a 1 time request of a report without signing up. When one signs up, one is  asked to accept terms of use, privacy policy and ad policies, which state that it gives Experian permission to share your information with others, including unaffiliated third parties. In the sign up information, it says that to opt out of this sharing you can contact customer service. It provides a phone number with operating hours and a mailing address. When one calls the customer service line, it is all automated and there is no automated option provided to opt of of sharing or marketing offers. There is not any way to reach a human being to discuss this issue or make this request no matter which prompts you choose. If you hit the end of the prompt flow and have not found what you need, it basically says goodbye and hangs up. This means that really the only real option a consumer has is to write a letter and send it to the mailing address provided. There is no indication of what specific information they need for one to opt out if one does write to them. Also, who knows how many they could have shared one 's information with by the time a letter gets to them? They say in the terms that once they've shared your information, there is no way to get it back. This is an incredibly misleading and deceptive practice to collect consumer data, tell them that they can call to opt out of sharing, and then not actually provide any way for the consumer to communicate this request when they use that contact information provided. At this point they have all my information and can basically share it with whomever they desire until I can figure out how to actually make them stop.

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 non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit card or prepaid card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card — Card opened as result of identity theft or fraud
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am a senior citizen and went to a XXXX office in my area to have them do a routine check up on my wife 's XXXX. They only did two XXXX XXXX, yet I received a bill for {$14000.00} dollars for services she never received or we agreed for. The XXXX office opened up a credit card in my name in order to pay for these services without my permission or consent. I do not speak good English, and they deceived me of the services we would receive, and I never received any receipts or copies of anything until I received a bill in the mail from the credit card company. I tried to resolve the billing issue with the XXXX  directly, but they were charging me {$9000.00} for an XXXX that took 1 hour of time. 

I have tried calling the card company numerous time to close the account and have fraud reported, but they continue to tell me its closed and they have not resolved anything.

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
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: Law Offices of Crystal Moroney, P.C.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
I received a call in XX/XX/2019 from someone stating they were from the Law Offices of Crystal Moroney, attempting to collect a debt for returned checks in the amount of {$400.00} ( plus {$30.00} fee x 2 returned checks ), for {$460.00} total that were originally from XXXX XXXX XXXX. I requested that proof of this debt be sent to me, so that I can validate, and pay if needed. I was told they can email me proof. I never received an email. Also, the phone number listed on their website to contact them, there is never an answer. On XX/XX/19, I received another call from this " law office '' following up on the debt. I responded that I have not been sent any proof of this debt yet. They insisted that they emailed it on XX/XX/XXXX, and I continued to state that I never received it. I asked what address do they have on file for me. They had an incorrect address, and I proceeded to give them my correct address. I asked if the woman on the phone, representing herself as a lawyer, named Crystal Moroney, could please verify the amount I owe, and provide me with a file number so that I could attempt to pay online to stop this continued pursuit. She stated that the amount owed is {$790.00}. I stated that this is not the amount of the debt owed, and what makes this up? She stated that there are additional " fees '' added on being that it is 90 days past due and they need to make the original creditor whole. I stated that the original debt has been listed as " charged off '' on my credit report, so there is no making this original creditor whole. Clearly they have purchased this debt in an attempt to collect. She stated they do not buy debt, but act as lawyers on behalf of companies to collect debt. I again asked for proof of the {$790.00} debt to be sent to me, and I was met with severe pushback, and was told to check my email because it was previously sent in XX/XX/XXXX. I will not pay this company without proof of the debt, and also, based on their reviews online, as well as court cases I see against them, I do not feel safe paying them.

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
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: I.C. System, Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I received a derogatory mark on my XXXX credit report from IC Systems in XXXX XXXX, Minnesota regarding an XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account. This account is the responsibility of my ex-wife as documented in my divorce decree from 2016. A copy of the divorce decree was provided to both IC Systems and XXXX. However, they declined my request for removal of the derogatory remark. I am not legally responsible for this debt so there is no reason for my credit report to be affected by this account.

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
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Problems at the end of the loan or lease — Unable to receive car title or other problem after the loan is paid off
Company: Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
I financed a XXXX XXXX XXXX from Santander Auto, which I paid off on XX/XX/2019. To this day, I have yet to receive a title, lien release ... nothing! I have contacted them by phone dozens of times, for over a month and everytime, I am given the run around. The title has been lost in the mail for a month. The other alternative is for me to obtain a duplicate title at the DMV, but I need a lien release to do that. I have called Santander multiple times over the last weekm requesting that they fax a copy of the lean release to the XXXX NJ DMV, and after driving there and waiting, multiple times, they haven't received anything from Santander! After complaining, Santander told me it takes 5 days to send the fax. This is after another rep told me it takes 24 to 48 hours, and another told me it takes 2 to 3 hours. No one at Santander has the same story. I escalated this to a supervisor who told me, considering the original title was lost in the mail, it takes TWENTY days to request another, SO I waited 30+ days already, and now it will take 20 MORE! I demanded to be escalated even further to a higher up supervisor, and they hung up on me. I need to register this car in a new state as well as provide documentation to my new insurance carrier, within 30 days! I am risking issues with the aforementioned because I have no documentation to provide. Santander had no problem taking {$13000.00} for the payoff but they can't give me my documents! 30 days ago I paid it off. And they have been nothing but unhelpful since.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
Capitol One was hacked, both the press and the TV national and local have said that over l00 million customers from Capitol One Bank has been hacked, with over l00 million social security numbers taken improperly. 

I have a charge card, checking and savings account with them. 

Attempts to resolve this issue with them have been fruitless. 

I called the Charge card XXXX number on XXXX, and my first complaint is with their phone system. It refused to accept the last four digits of my credit card, then refused to accept the whole l6 digits of my credit card which is current. ( Have I been hacked already? ) After a l5 minute wait in which I kept waiting for a representative, I believe an XXXX customer service rep came on the line. This was a gentleman who went by the name of XXXX, ID # XXXX, who then proceded to lie to me, stating this only covers people who apply for credit cards, not current customers. I told him that this was a lie, over l00 million people have not applied for credit cards with Cap One in the last six months, and and asked to speak to his manager/supervisor, this request was denied, so I hung up. 

I then called the Checking/Savings Customer Service line and this time a gentleman named XXXX gave me much better information and really tried to help me. His ID # is # XXXX. However, he is getting the same information from Cap One, that only credit card applicants would be hacked, if anybody. 

I then asked for what remedies are available such as ID Theft Protection, Credit Monitoring, and which credit agency that Cap One deals with. He was helpful, but did try and help me to the best of his ability. 
The credit card numbers end in XXXX. 
The checking account ends in XXXX The savings account ends in XXXX Capitol One has NOT contacted me yet via phone, email, or mail, and per the press releases have known about it since XXXX. 

Help please

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account information incorrect
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
We got a credit alert that informed us that Trans Union has placed on our credit report a late payment that is not late, its from XXXX who also has charged us with a late fee. According to consumer affairs this can not be done until after 30 days, XXXX XXXX is fraudulently charging my account which has been closed for months therefore, because of this we are filing a major law suit against XXXX and Trans Union and we encourage CFPB and the FTC to whom we will also notify of this fraudulent activity and we are requesting that you fine Trans Union XXXX XXXX XXXX dollars for their part in this.

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
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — Conventional home mortgage
Issue: Applying for a mortgage or refinancing an existing mortgage — 
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
Wells Fargo offers various rate discounts to their jumbo loan products by selling a deposit account from {$250000.00} - $ XXXX. 

Wells Fargo agents are trained by their direct managers to suggest moving the funds to the new account in order to get the discount, and then immediately transferring the funds back after closing ( manipulating the process ) and winning jumbo loan business. 

I would think this is a fair lending issue. I would love to transfer {$10000.00} to Wells Fargo in order to get XXXX of my {$300000.00} mortgage. 

Another example of Wells Fargo proving inconsistent service based on redlining

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
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I received a derogatory mark on my TransUnion credit report from XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX, Minnesota regarding an XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account. This account is the responsibility of my ex-wife as documented in my divorce decree from 2016. A copy of the divorce decree was provided to both XXXX  XXXX and TransUnion. However, they declined my request for removal of the derogatory remark. I am not legally responsible for this debt so there is no reason for my credit report to be affected by this account.

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
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Personal information incorrect
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
I checked my credit report and identified personal information that does not belong to me. I am a victim of identity theft and that's one of the first steps that they told me to do is check my report for any discrepancies. I notified the credit bureaus, but no changes were made.

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 non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Credit monitoring or identity theft protection services — Problem with product or service terms changing
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/XXXX, Equifax announced that it had discovered a cyber security breach had occurred earlier that year, exposing over XXXX XXXX users ' data to hackers. 

On Friday, XX/XX/XXXX, I learned of a class action lawsuit that would entitle those whose data had been stolen to receive just compensation from Equifax, whose lax and careless security practices failed to protect the precious data entrusted to it. 

I filed the claim for compensation as directed on this website : https : //www.equifaxbreachsettlement.com/file-a-claim Then, today ( XX/XX/XXXX ) I learned that the response to the class action filing process has been, as they said, " overwhelming, '' and that only {$31.00} XXXX of the already-paltry {$420.00} XXXX settlement had been allotted to payouts to those affected by the breach. So instead of receiving up to {$120.00} in compensation, the total cash payout divided equally across all claimants will be minuscule. If they had to pay the full {$120.00} per affected individual, it would cost roughly {>= $1,000,000} https : //www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/refunds/equifax-data-breach-settlement The alternative being offered is for Equifax to offer years of free credit reporting, which is fine, but hardly a way to punish a massive company for their depraved disregard for customer privacy. 

How will we keep these credit bureaus honest if the only penalties they incur for incompetence and indifference is so small as to be a veritable slap on the wrist? They'll just see it as the cost of doing business, and will continue to be criminally negligent actors in the finance space. 

As your admirable stated mission is to " write and enforce rules that keep banks and other financial companies operating fairly, '' I think the CFPB should be alarmed and appalled by this turn of events. Equifax is essentially paying no price for their negligence, and they are shifting the burden of dealing with the consequences of the data breach onto the victims. 

As citizens in 21st century America, affected consumers have little choice but to participate in the credit bureaus ' game, but the power is ludicrously unequally distributed. Agencies like the CFPB are one of the few levers by which ordinary citizens can apply pressure to these huge power brokers. 

I would like to see the CFPB take whatever actions are possible to ensure that Equifax and other credit bureaus are forced to protect the consumer data with which they are entrusted, now and in the future. Thank you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly — Talked to a third-party about your debt
Company: United Check Recovery Bureau, Inc.
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/2019 First contact from this company was when they reached out to a family member of mine.They disclosed all my information, the amount of the debt, the company it was from, who's names were on the account, everything. They never once tried to reach out to me before this. My family member gave me the number that I called back and was told it was United Check Recovery Bureau , Inc, and that I was speaking to XXXX XXXX. I explained that my family member told me you disclosed all of my information to them and he said " Sorry, she asked.  It sounded like she wanted to help. '' Unprofessional, illegal, and unacceptable! What an absolute violation of my privacy. Then they send me an email form about the debt that states in the email they sent me " We would like to protect your privacy ... '' and it says in the email " ... The Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act require that ... collectors may not tell another person, other than your attorney or spouse, about your debt. '' Not only did they violate that, they violated and compromised my privacy and information to a family member who should not have been given this information.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/2019, Equifax refused to freeze my credit report, and refused to give me any information that would allow me to get my report frozen. 
Equifax claimed it can not identify me -- after I spent close to two hours online, on hold, speaking to two representatives, and being cut off twice. ( Both XXXX and XXXX had no difficulty identifying me, and freezing my reports. ) Equifax appeared to get hung up on credit cards questions, and on my inability to recall the issuers and balances on cards I cancelled many years ago. 
Although Equifax ( " XXXX '' ) said I must make a written request, it refused to provide the name of an individual, an office, or an address in the United States that I may contact. ( The only address he provided, and only after repeated requests, was for himself : XXXX, Customer Representative, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, 1 XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX. ) Nor would " XXXX '' allow me to speak with his XXXX  supervisor. I explained that I need to freeze my report before leaving the country. " XXXX '' also refused to put me in touch with the Equifax legal department or to identify the Equifax agent for service of process in Virginia. ( " XXXX '' initially claimed that he was the agent for service of process. )

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Accounts are fraudulent and would like them removed from my Equifax credit report.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Consumer complaint received 2019-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem — Difficulty submitting a dispute or getting information about a dispute over the phone
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
I have been seeking to have Equifax remove fraudulent inquires from by credit report for the last several months. I was repeatedly told by Equifax that I could not question these inquires and that I had to contact the issuers that made the inquire and have them report to Equifax that these inquires were made due to fraudulent activity. Despite the fact that I am not sure I did not have the right to question these inquires, the problem was that I had contacted the issuers multiple times, and each of them indicated that they had so reported to Equifax more than once. After months of effort, an Equifax representative finally told me that I could have these inquires investigated by Equifax if I faxed a written request with certain information and supporting document. I did this on XX/XX/2019. On XX/XX/2019, Equifax sent me a letter stating that they were unable to locate my credit file. This is a blatantly implausible statement. Equifax had sent me my credit report on XX/XX/2019, and it was identified by a specified Confirmation Number, which I was required to include in my letter. Thus, it is simply impossible to believe that Equifax could not find my credit file using its own Confirmation Number. This seems to me to be a continuation of Equifax ' unwillingness to take reasonable and appropriate action to investigate and correct, as appropriate, false items on one 's credit report and to throw up obstacles to doing so. Equifax claims that it need me to mail it evidence of my social security number along with official evidence of my address. It is incredible that Equifax would request anyone, let alone someone who already had their identity stole, to send such personal information throught the mail, especially when Equifax was already provided, at its insistence, with their own Confirmation Number for my credit file. No one should have to risk, needlessly, sending such information through the mail.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation