Consumer complaint received 2025-07-25 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: Pressler & Pressler, LLP
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint because I am the victim of identity theft and I am being held legally and financially responsible for fraudulent debts I did not create. A default judgment was entered against me by Pressler , Felt & Warshaw , LLP on behalf of XXXX XXXX XXXX, for two accounts I never opened, never used, and had no knowledge of until legal action was already taken. The accounts in question are # XXXX for {$1200.00} and # XXXX for {$1100.00} or any other amount tied to these accounts. I did not authorize or apply for these accounts. They were opened without my consent and used without my knowledge. I never received any legitimate notices, validation letters, or an opportunity to dispute the debts before this lawsuit was filed. I only learned about the judgment after the fact which was shocking and deeply upsetting. The entire process leading to this judgment is a direct violation of my consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and federal identity theft laws. Specifically under 15 U.S.C. 1681b clearly states that a consumers credit information can not be accessed or used without a permissible purpose and 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) requires that credit reporting agencies and furnishers ensure the maximum possible accuracy of the data they report. These accounts were never verified with me. Additionally, 18 U.S.C. 1028 makes it a federal offense to knowingly use someone elses personal identifying information without lawful authority, which is exactly what happened here. If anyone had conducted a real investigation or verified the information before pursuing legal action, it would have been clear that I had no connection to these accounts. I was not contacted before the lawsuit was filed. I was not properly served. I was not given a fair chance to respond or dispute the validity of these accounts. Instead, a judgment was entered based on stolen and fraudulent data without my knowledge. This judgment has caused serious damage to my credit, my peace of mind, and my financial security. I have faced emotional distress, difficulty with financial applications, and unnecessary legal stress all because of someone elses criminal actions and a failure by both the debt collector and the credit reporting system to verify the truth. As a result, I am now taking formal steps to correct this. I am filing a police report to document the identity theft and to protect myself from further harm. I am also filing this CFPB complaint to demand proper investigation and accountability. 
I am requesting that this judgment be fully reviewed and vacated due to it being based on fraudulent, unauthorized accounts. That all associated reporting to any credit bureau be immediately deleted. That XXXX XXXX XXXX and Pressler , Felt & Warshaw , LLP be held accountable for failing to verify the identity of the consumer before initiating legal action. That this matter be marked as identity theft and resolved in compliance with FCRA and federal law. I will not accept responsibility for accounts tied to a crime committed against me. Im asking the CFPB to step in and make sure this is fully addressed, corrected, and that no further harm is allowed to continue.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation