Consumer complaint received 2025-03-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems — Privacy issues
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Complaint Regarding Unauthorized Sale of Personal Information and Violation of My Privacy Rights To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding your companys actions in selling my personal information, including my phone number, address, date of birth, and social security number, without my authorization. This constitutes a violation of my privacy rights, and I believe this has resulted in identity theft and significant harm to my credit and living situation. 

I want to emphasize that I have revoked my power of attorney ( POA ) with Synchrony Bank/PayPal , and no third party has been authorized to act on my behalf. Therefore, it is a direct violation of my rights for you to share or sell my personal and sensitive information with any third parties, including debt collectors or any other entities. Specifically, I have learned that my information was sold to XXXX XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

Details of the Complaint : Unauthorized Sale of Personal Information : I have recently discovered that my personal information, including my phone number, address, date of birth, and social security number, has been sold or trafficked to unauthorized parties, namely XXXX XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. This has resulted in identity theft and the ongoing harassment I am facing from these third-party debt collectors. I did not authorize the release of this information, and this act is not only an infringement of my privacy but also an illegal breach of trust. 

Violation of Privacy and My Rights : I have revoked any power of attorney with Synchrony Bank/PayPal and never provided consent for my sensitive personal data to be shared or sold to any third parties. Your companys actions have caused me severe distress, as the sale of my personal information is not only a violation of my rights but also exposes me to identity theft, fraud, and unlawful debt collection practices. 

Harm to My Credit and Living Situation : As a result of this unauthorized sale of my information, my credit has been negatively affected, and I have had to deal with unlawful debt collection efforts from XXXX XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. These collections, coupled with the possibility of a lawsuit and damages to my credit score, have caused significant disruption to my life. I am unable to obtain credit or secure housing due to the impact this situation has had on my financial standing. The ongoing harassment from these debt collectors has caused undue stress, anxiety, and worry.

Request for Immediate Action and Resolution : I hereby demand that Synchrony Bank/PayPal cease and desist immediately from any further sale, trafficking, or sharing of my personal information. I also request the following actions : Remove any third-party access to my personal data. 
Provide written confirmation that my personal information has been removed from any databases or shared with any third parties. 
Correct any potential negative reporting that has occurred due to this violation, including removal of any fraudulent or unauthorized claims made under my name. 
Legal Consequences : I am fully aware of my legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which protect consumers from the unauthorized sale or disclosure of their personal information. Please be advised that I am prepared to take further legal action, including filing complaints with regulatory bodies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) if this issue is not resolved promptly.

I expect a response within 15 business days outlining the actions you will take to remedy this situation. If I do not hear from you by that time, I will pursue additional measures to protect my privacy and rights. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I trust that you will address this violation and take the necessary steps to resolve this issue.

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