Consumer complaint received 2026-03-05 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: United Collection Bureau, Inc.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this rebuttal because United Collection Bureau Inc.s Reference # XXXX response does not comply with federal consumer protection laws and fails to provide proper validation of the alleged debt. United Collection Bureau Inc. claims that a validation notice was mailed on XX/XX/XXXX. However, merely asserting that a letter was mailed does not constitute proper verification of a disputed debt under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) ). Once a consumer disputes a debt, the debt collector must cease collection activity until it obtains verification of the debt and mails that verification to the consumer. Courts have consistently held that verification must come from the creditor and must confirm the amount of the debt and that the collector is authorized to collect it. In XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX ), the court held that verification requires confirmation from the creditor that the amount being demanded is what the creditor claims is owed. United Collection Bureau has not provided any documentation demonstrating such confirmation. Additionally, in XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ), the court reaffirmed that collection activity must cease until proper verification is provided. Simply directing the consumer to contact the original creditor does not satisfy the collectors statutory duty under 15 U.S.C. 1692g. United Collection Bureau Inc. also states that it is not asserting ownership of the debt and directs the consumer to XXXX XXXX. This admission raises further concerns because a debt collector must have clear authority from the creditor to collect the debt. Courts have recognized that collectors must be able to demonstrate their authority to collect on behalf of a creditor. Furthermore, the failure to provide documentation supporting the alleged debt may also constitute a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act if any information regarding this account has been furnished to a consumer reporting agency without conducting a reasonable investigation as required under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ). At this time, United Collection Bureau Inc. has not provided : A copy of the original signed agreement or contract establishing liability Documentation demonstrating that the alleged account belongs to the consumer A complete itemization of the balance claimed Documentation showing that XXXX XXXX. authorized United Collection Bureau Inc. to collect the alleged debt Any competent evidence verifying the alleged obligation The response submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau merely restates that a letter was mailed and attempts to shift responsibility to the original creditor. This does not satisfy the collectors obligations under federal law once a debt has been disputed. Because United Collection Bureau Inc. has failed to provide adequate verification of the alleged debt, I request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau require the company to either : 1. Provide proper verification of the alleged debt that complies with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ; or 2. Permanently cease collection activity and close the account within their office. If United Collection Bureau Inc. can not provide competent documentary evidence validating the alleged debt and their legal authority to collect it, they must confirm in writing that the account has been closed and that no further collection activity will occur.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation