Consumer complaint received 2025-08-14 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Abrahamsen Gindin LLC
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
Collector : Forster & Garbus, LLP ( now operating under Abrahamsen Gindin LLC ) Alleged Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX as the assignee of XXXX Alleged Account : Ending * XXXX Collectors itemization ( as stated by them ) : Principal as of XX/XX/XXXX : {$1900.00} Interest since XX/XX/XXXX : {$60.00} Fees since XX/XX/XXXX : {$52.00} Payments/Credits : {$0.00} Forster & Garbus ( F & G ) asserts I owe a debt to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX assignee of XXXX. I have never had any XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Bank XXXX XXXX ) account and did not live at the address they used in XXXX. This appears to be a case of mistaken identity and/or unverified, time-barred debt. Despite my dispute, the collectors correspondence states, we will use any information you give us to help collect the debt, which is intimidating and suggests continued collection without first validating the debt. 

XXXX ) FDCPAValidation & Cease-Collection ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( b ) ) Once a consumer disputes a debt in writing, a collector must cease all collection until it mails verification ( e.g., original contract/judgment ; complete chain of assignment ). Continuing collection effortsincluding further dunning or credit reportingbefore providing verification violates 1692g ( b ). See CFPB guidance and statute. 

XXXX ) FDCPAFalse/Deceptive Practices ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e, including 1692e ( 8 ) ) It is unlawful to misrepresent the character, amount, or legal status of a debt, or to communicate credit information known ( or should be known ) to be false, including failing to mark a debt as disputed. If F & G or its successor communicated or reports this debt without noting my dispute ( or with knowledge it is not mine ), that violates 1692e ( 8 ). 


XXXX ) FDCPAUnfair/Unconscionable Practices ( 15 U.S.C. 1692f ) Attempting to collect a time-barred debt or pressing a consumer to pay a debt that is not theirs can be unfair or unconscionable. 


XXXX ) Time-Barred DebtNew Jersey NJs statute of limitations for contract/credit card claims is generally XXXX ( XXXX ) years ( N.J.S.A. XXXX ). The collectors own letter pegs the claimed amount as of XX/XX/XXXX, suggesting any claim is time-barred absent proof of a later payment or written acknowledgment that would restart limitations. Collecting on time-barred debt without clear, accurate disclosures is deceptive. 

XXXX ) New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act ( NJCFA ) ( N.J.S.A. 56:8-1 et seq. ) The NJCFA prohibits unconscionable commercial practices, deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, misrepresentation. Violations can result in treble damages ( for ascertainable loss ) and attorneys fees in private actions, and civil penalties up to {$10000.00} for a first offense and {$20000.00} for subsequent ones in state enforcement actions. 


XXXX ) CFPB Enforcement HistoryForster & Garbus On XX/XX/XXXX, a stipulated final judgment and order was entered in CFPB v. Forster & Garbus , LLP, requiring F & G to possess specific documentation supporting consumer debts and to ensure meaningful attorney involvement before filing suits ; it also required dismissal of suits absent compliance. This matter shows prior systemic breakdowns in F & Gs documentation and review processes. 


XXXX ) Successor XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX reports indicate Abrahamsen Gindin LLC acquired the assets of Forster & Garbus and assumed operations in XXXX. Any ongoing collections under the new firm must still satisfy federal and state law and the spirit of the CFPBs XXXX order. 


Open an investigation into Forster & Garbus/Abrahamsen Gindins collection of this alleged debt. 

Require the collector to cease all collection ( including credit reporting ) unless and until full validation is mailed to me, including : The original, wet-ink signed credit agreement ( not a reproduction ), Complete chain of title from WFNNG/Comenity to any intermediate buyers to XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Itemized accounting of principal, interest, and fees with applicable dates/rates, Proof I am the correct consumer, including the address history they relied on. 

XXXX XXXX to Cease all communications and collection activityuntil validation is mailed ( 1692g ( b ) ) ; communications limited to mailing validation or legal notices.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation