Consumer complaint received 2026-01-02 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: COMMERCE BANK
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding the way Commerce Bank has reported an account on my credit reports as a derogatory account, including charge-off and/or collection activity, along with a significant past-due balance and a history of late payments. I dispute the accuracy, completeness, and verification of this reporting and believe it does not meet reasonable standards for fair and accurate credit reporting. 

I became aware of this issue after reviewing my credit reports and noticing that Commerce Bank was reporting negative information associated with this account. The reporting includes a charge-off designation, a past-due balance, and late payment history that has had a substantial negative impact on my credit profile. Despite the seriousness of these negative entries, I have not been provided with documentation that would allow me to independently verify that the information being reported is accurate.

One of my primary concerns is the charge-off status reported by Commerce Bank . A charge-off is a significant credit event that should be supported by clear documentation showing when the charge-off occurred, the balance at the time of charge-off, and the criteria used to determine that the account should be charged off. In this case, there has been no clear explanation or documentation provided to support the charge-off designation. Without this information, the reporting is incomplete and potentially misleading. 

In addition to the charge-off, the account is reported with a history of late payments, including 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day delinquencies. These late payment notations significantly damage my credit standing. However, I have not been provided with complete billing statements, payment histories, or records showing how these late payments were determined. Late payment reporting should be based on documented billing cycles, due dates, and payment application records. Without access to these records, the accuracy of the late payment history can not be verified. 

Another serious issue is the reported balance associated with the Commerce Bank account. The balance reported as past due or charged off has not been explained through an itemized accounting. There has been no disclosure showing how the balance was calculated, including principal, interest, fees, or other charges. In some instances, balances appear inconsistent over time or inconsistent with other information reported. Without a detailed accounting, it is impossible to determine whether the reported balance is accurate. 

I am also concerned about the lack of documentation supporting Commerce Banks authority to report this account as derogatory. I have not received copies of any original agreement, application, or contract showing the terms of the account. I have not been provided with a complete account history from opening through charge-off or collection. Without these records, I can not confirm that the reporting accurately reflects a valid and enforceable obligation.

Additionally, there is no clear explanation regarding whether the account was ever sold, transferred, or assigned. Accounts that are charged off are often placed with or sold to collection agencies, which can result in additional negative reporting. In my case, it is unclear whether Commerce Bank retains ownership of the account or whether it was transferred to another entity. Reporting an account without clearly establishing ownership and reporting authority creates confusion and undermines accuracy.

The reporting of this Commerce Bank account appears to rely on automated verification processes rather than a reasonable, manual investigation. Automated systems may confirm that data exists in a database, but they do not ensure that the data is accurate, complete, or supported by original records. Given the lack of documentation and clarity surrounding this account, automated verification would be insufficient to resolve the issues raised.

The continued reporting of this account has caused ongoing harm. The presence of a charge-off and extensive late payment history negatively affects credit scores and creates barriers when applying for credit, housing, or other financial opportunities. This harm is especially concerning when the reporting appears unsupported by transparency or documentation.

Another concern is the lack of meaningful communication from Commerce Bank regarding this account. I have not received clear explanations detailing how the account became delinquent, how the charge-off status was determined, or how the reported balance was calculated. Without this information, I am unable to meaningfully assess or resolve the issue.

I am not disputing this account to avoid legitimate obligations. Rather, I am seeking fairness, accuracy, and accountability. Credit reporting has serious consequences, and institutions that report negative information have a responsibility to ensure that it is correct, complete, and verifiable. In this case, the reporting by Commerce Bank does not appear to meet those standards.

The paper trail for this account appears incomplete. There is no clear, continuous record showing how the account progressed from current to delinquent to charge-off. There is no explanation of how missed payments were identified or how the account transitioned into its current reported status. Without a complete and transparent history, the derogatory reporting can not be reasonably verified.

I am also concerned about the potential for misleading or exaggerated impact. Reporting an account as charged off, with extensive late payments, without proper context or documentation can create an inaccurate picture of a consumers creditworthiness. If the reported information is incorrect or unsupported, the resulting harm is unjustified.

In reviewing my credit reports, I have also noticed that information related to this account may not be reported consistently across credit bureaus. Differences in balances, dates, or statuses suggest errors in reporting or failures in verification. Accurate credit reporting should be consistent and supported by the same underlying documentation across all bureaus.

I am requesting that Commerce Bank conduct a full, reasonable reinvestigation of this account. This reinvestigation should include a review of original account agreements, complete billing statements, full payment histories, balance calculations, and documentation supporting any charge-off or collection activity. If Commerce Bank can not produce this documentation, the account should be corrected or removed from my credit reports.

I am also requesting that any inaccurate late payment entries be deleted if they can not be fully verified with billing records. Late payments should not be reported unless there is clear evidence that payments were due, billed, and missed according to agreed-upon terms.

If Commerce Bank believes that the account is accurate and should remain on my credit reports, I request full transparency regarding how that determination was made. This includes identifying what records were reviewed, how accuracy was confirmed, and why the reporting meets reasonable standards. Generic or conclusory responses would not resolve the issues raised.

This complaint is submitted in good faith and for the purpose of achieving an accurate credit report. I believe that resolving this issue will require Commerce Bank to either substantiate the reporting with proper documentation or correct the record by deleting inaccurate or unverifiable information. 

Ultimately, I am seeking a fair outcome in which my credit reports reflect only information that is accurate, complete, and supported by evidence. The current reporting of the Commerce Bank account does not meet that standard. I am requesting CFPB assistance to ensure that this matter is properly reviewed and resolved in compliance with consumer protection laws and fair credit reporting principles.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation