Consumer complaint received 2026-03-17 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding inaccurate and fraudulent information being reported on my credit file, specifically concerning an account associated with CCB / CARTERS. I do not own this account, and I did not authorize, open, or benefit from any account with Comenity Capital Bank ( CCB ) or Carters. This account is the result of identity theft, and I have taken formal action by filing an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). Upon discovering this account on my credit report, I immediately disputed it with the credit reporting agencies and notified them that this account is fraudulent. I also submitted my FTC identity theft report as supporting documentation to establish that this account is the result of identity theft. Despite taking these steps, the CCB / CARTERS account continues to be reported as a charge-off and derogatory account, which is causing serious harm to my credit profile and financial standing. I have never entered into any agreement with CCB or Carters for this account. I did not apply for this account, I did not authorize it, I did not use it, and I did not receive any benefit from it. The presence of this account on my credit report is completely unauthorized and inaccurate. As part of my dispute, I requested full validation of this account. Specifically, I requested : * A copy of the original signed application or contract bearing my signature * Complete account statements and transaction history * Documentation showing how the account was opened and by whom * Proof of identity verification used at the time the account was allegedly created * Any records showing that I authorized or benefited from this account To date, none of this documentation has been provided. Instead, the account appears to have been verified without any supporting evidence being shared with me. This suggests that the verification process relied on automated systems such as e-Oscar or on information provided by third parties, rather than a proper and independent investigation. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), specifically 611 ( a ), credit reporting agencies are required to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed information. A reasonable investigation requires more than simply confirming information with the furnisher. It requires reviewing actual documentation and verifying that the information is accurate and belongs to the consumer. In this case, it does not appear that such an investigation has been conducted. Additionally, under FCRA 605B, once a consumer submits a valid identity theft report, credit reporting agencies are required to block the reporting of informatio n that results from identity theft. I have submitted an FTC identity theft report, yet the CCB / CARTERS account continues to be reported. This is a direct violation of federal law. I also requested the method of verification used to confirm this account. I asked whether the verification was conducted through e-Oscar, manual review, or another system, and I requested documentation supporting that verification. I have not received any detailed explanation outlining how this account was verified or what documentation was reviewed. Furthermore, I requested any internal records, audit trails, or system logs related to the reporting and verification of this account. This includes any communication between CCB / CARTERS and the credit reporting agencies. No such records have been provided. The continued reporting of this account is causing significant financial harm. It is lowering my credit score, limiting my ability to obtain credit, and negatively affecting my financial opportunities. It has also caused unnecessary stress and hardship. I have made multiple attempts to resolve this issue directly with the credit reporting agencies and the furnisher, but the account remains on my credit report. This indicates that my disputes have not been properly investigated or resolved. As a consumer, I have the right to have only accurate and verifiable information reported on my credit file. I also have the right to be protected from identity theft and fraudulent reporting. The continued reporting of this CCB / CARTERS account violates these rights. I am requesting the immediate removal of this CCB / CARTERS account from my credit report due to identity theft. I am also requesting written confirmation that this account will not be reinserted without proper verification and certification, as required under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ). In addition, I am requesting that a full investigation be conducted into how this account was added to my credit file. This includes reviewing the procedures used to verify the information and determining whether proper protocols were followed. I also request confirmation that my FTC identity theft report has been fully processed and that all protections under FCRA 605B have been applied to my credit file. If this issue is not resolved promptly, I am prepared to escalate this matter further by filing additional complaints and pursuing legal remedies for violations of my rights under federal law. This matter requires immediate attention and resolution. I expect a full and detailed response addressing each of these concerns and confirming the removal of this fraudulent CCB / CARTERS account. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation