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: Southern Auto Finance Co
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding SAFCO due to inaccurate and improper credit reporting, failure to provide adequate validation, and continued reporting of a collection and/or charge-off account that I did not open, authorize, or knowingly benefit from. The SAFCO account has been reported as a derogatory collection with a substantial past-due balance and has caused significant and ongoing harm to my credit profile. 

Discovery of the SAFCO Account I became aware of the SAFCO account only after reviewing my consumer credit reports from the major credit reporting agencies. At the time I discovered the account, it was already being reported as a derogatory collection or charge-off with a large outstanding balance. I did not receive advance notice of account placement, billing statements, or communications that would normally accompany a legitimate debt. 

I do not recognize this SAFCO account as XXXX that I opened or agreed to. I did not apply for credit or services associated with this alleged debt, did not sign any contract or agreement, and did not authorize SAFCO or any original creditor to establish or collect this account in my name. 

Lack of Authorization and Contractual Relationship I have never had a valid contractual relationship with SAFCO for the debt being reported. I did not consent to SAFCO collecting or reporting this account, nor did I authorize any creditor to assign or sell a debt to SAFCO on my behalf. 

I did not receive the goods, services, or funds that SAFCO alleges form the basis of this debt. The reporting of this account strongly suggests that my personal information was used without my knowledge or authorization, raising serious concerns of identity theft or unauthorized account activity. 

Derogatory Reporting and Account Status The SAFCO account is reported as a derogatory collection or charge-off with a significant past-due balance. The reporting indicates that the account has been delinquent for an extended period, despite the fact that I never incurred or agreed to this debt. 

This negative reporting has had a severe impact on my credit profile, including damage to my payment history, the presence of a collection account, and overall reduced creditworthiness. The harm caused by this reporting is disproportionate and unjustified given that I am not responsible for the alleged debt. 

Bureau-Specific and Inconsistent Reporting One of the most troubling aspects of the SAFCO account XXXX that it appears on only certain credit bureaus and not others, or is reported inconsistently across bureaus. This selective or inconsistent reporting raises serious questions about the accuracy, reliability, and verification of the information being furnished. 

If the SAFCO account were legitimate and supported by proper documentation, the reporting would be consistent, complete, and accurate across all credit reporting agencies. Instead, the reporting appears fragmented and unsupported, which is a strong indication that the account information is unreliable. 

Attempts to Dispute the SAFCO Account After discovering the SAFCO account, I took prompt action to dispute it. I notified the credit reporting agencies that I did not recognize or authorize this account and requested a reinvestigation. I disputed the account on the basis that it did not belong to me and requested validation and documentation supporting SAFCOs claim. 

Despite these disputes, the SAFCO account has continued to be reported as a derogatory collection. I have not been provided with copies of original contracts, account applications, billing statements, or proof of lawful assignment that would establish my responsibility for this debt. 

Failure to Provide Meaningful Validation SAFCO has failed to provide meaningful validation of the alleged debt. Generic statements that the account was verified or that SAFCO has records of the debt are insufficient. Verification must involve actual documentation showing that I knowingly incurred the debt and that SAFCO has the legal right to collect and report it. 

To date, SAFCO has not provided : An original signed contract or agreement Proof of my authorization or consent Detailed billing statements showing how the balance was calculated Documentation of lawful assignment or transfer from an original creditor Without this information, SAFCO has no basis to continue reporting this account. 

Identity Theft and Unauthorized Use Concerns Based on the lack of authorization, absence of documentation, and failure to validate the debt, I believe the SAFCO account may be the result of identity theft or unauthorized use of my personal information. I did not knowingly participate in the transactions associated with this account and did not benefit from them in any way. 

The continued reporting of this account despite clear disputes and lack of validation exacerbates the harm caused by the initial unauthorized activity. 

Harm Caused by SAFCOs Reporting The impact of SAFCOs reporting has been substantial. The presence of a large collection or charge-off account has negatively affected my credit scores, increased perceived credit risk, and limited my access to credit on fair terms. It has also caused stress, anxiety, and the burden of repeated disputes for an account that does not belong to me. 

I have spent significant time and effort attempting to correct this issue, yet the account remains, prolonging the damage. 

Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Investigation SAFCOs handling of this matter suggests a failure to conduct a reasonable and good-faith investigation. Simply confirming information through automated systems or relying on internal records does not satisfy the obligation to investigate disputes meaningfully. 

A reasonable investigation should involve reviewing original source documents and verifying that the consumer is legally responsible for the debt. SAFCOs failure to do so undermines the accuracy and fairness of the credit reporting system. 

Legal and Compliance Concerns SAFCOs actions raise serious concerns regarding compliance with consumer protection laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. These laws require accurate reporting, proper investigation of disputes, and correction or deletion of information that can not be verified. 

Continuing to report a disputed debt without proper validation and documentation is inconsistent with these obligations and causes ongoing consumer harm. 

Request for CFPB Review and Intervention I am submitting this complaint to request that the CFPB review SAFCOs conduct and require the company to address the inaccuracies associated with this account. I am seeking accountability, transparency, and compliance with the law. 

Desired Outcome I am requesting that SAFCO : Conduct a thorough and meaningful investigation using original documentation. 

Provide proof that I authorized and incurred the alleged debt, if such proof exists. 

Immediately delete the SAFCO account from all credit reports if it can not be fully verified. 

Cease all collection and reporting activity related to this account. 

Ensure that the account is not reinserted or re-reported without proper documentation and notice. 

Conclusion I did not open, authorize, or benefit from the SAFCO account being reported on my credit reports. The continued reporting of this derogatory collection or charge-off is inaccurate, harmful, and unsupported by evidence. I am seeking a fair and lawful resolution that removes this account and prevents further damage to my credit profile. 

I certify that the information provided in this complaint is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation