Consumer complaint received 2026-02-16 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Rental debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: FAIR COLLECTIONS & OUTSOURCING, INC.
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
To the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am submitting this formal complaint regarding a fraudulent apartment debt that has been reported to my credit file, despite my repeated disputes, documentation, and identity theft reporting.

Summary of Events 1. Initial Debt Notice I received a letter claiming I owed approximately {$2900.00} for an apartment that I have never rented, occupied, or had any involvement with.

2. Request for Debt Validation Upon receiving the notice, I immediately sent a written request to the debt collector demanding full documentation proving that I owed this debt. I clearly stated that I had no connection to the apartment in question.

3. Inadequate Documentation Provided The only document I received in response was a copy of a lease with my name typed on it. No supporting evidence was provided, such as : Proof of identity verification at lease signing Payment records Move-in documentation Utility records Rental application Identification used to sign the lease Occupancy records This document alone does not establish that I entered into the lease. 
4. Police Report Filed Recognizing this as identity theft, I filed a police report with the XXXX XXXX Police Department ( XXXX XXXX ). 

Police Report Number : XXXX 5. Identity Protection Enrollment I enrolled in identity protection monitoring with Equifax and took steps to secure my credit, including credit locking and fraud alerts.

6. Improper Credit Reporting Despite Notice Despite my prior dispute and credit protections, I later discovered that the fraudulent debt had still been reported to my credit file. 7. Additional Disputes Filed I contacted the credit bureau, the debt collector, and the apartment
complex again to dispute the account and request a formal investigation.

8. Account Closure Without Resolution On XX/XX/XXXX, the account was marked as closed with a balance of approximately {$2900.00}. However, the negative reporting remains and has caused significant harm.

9. Housing Denial Due to Fraudulent Debt My fiance and I applied for a new apartment and were denied specifically because of this fraudulent debt, causing us to lose a desirable housing opportunity for our family.

10. Failure to Provide Proof of Residency or Liability I requested concrete evidence from all parties that I ever lived at or rented the property. No such evidence has been provided beyond the questionable lease document.

11. Suspicious Identity Theft Affidavit Request The debt collector sent a non-professional ID Theft Affidavit form requesting extremely sensitive personal information, including : Full Social Security Number Drivers License number Photograph of my Drivers License Other identifying data Given
that this situation already involves identity theft, providing additional sensitive information to a party that has not verified my identity or proven the debt appears unsafe and inappropriate.

Harm Suffered Damage to my credit report Denial of housing for my family Significant stress and time spent resolving a debt I do not owe Risk of further identity theft exposure

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