Consumer complaint received 2025-12-04 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: HW Holding, Inc
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this formal complaint regarding the account being reported under the furnisher name XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ), which is appearing on my credit file even though I do not own this account, did not authorize it, did not open it, and did not give anyone permission to use my personal information to establish or utilize this account in any way. This account is the direct result of identity theft, and I have already taken significant steps to document and report the fraud, including filing a formal FTC Identity Theft Report and additional documentation confirming that the account does not belong to me. Despite these steps, XXXX continues to report this fraudulent account, causing ongoing financial, emotional, and legal harm. I am submitting this CFPB case to request immediate assistance in ensuring full compliance with federal law and the complete removal of this fraudulent account. 

XXXX. Background of the Identity Theft Incident The appearance of the XXXX account on my credit report was the first indicator that a fraudulent incident had occurred. I did not apply for, open, or authorize any account with XXXX nor have I ever conducted business with this company in any capacity. I have never signed any agreement, never provided permission for any credit inquiry, and never provided any identifying information that would reasonably connect me to this account. The mere presence of this account on my report signals that a third party obtained and used my personal information without authorization. 

In response to discovering this unauthorized activity, I immediately began documenting the identity theft. I filed an official complaint with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), generated an Identity Theft Report, and retained copies of this documentation for all related disputes. In effect, the FTC Identity Theft Report formally establishes that I am a victim of identity theft and triggers protections under federal law, specifically those outlined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

XXXX. The Account Does Not Belong to Me and Can not Be Verified I want to be absolutely clear that I do not own this account. I never applied for it, never received any credit benefits from it, and never had any contract or communication with XXXX. Any documents, applications, digital signatures, login attempts, device associations, or transaction histories associated with this account are fraudulent. 

Under the FCRA specifically 602 ( A ) ( accuracy ), 607 ( B ) ( reasonable procedures ), and 611 ( a ) ( reinvestigation ) furnishers such as XXXX have a legal obligation to report information accurately and to reinvestigate any disputed information. XXXX can not legally verify this account because I am not the one who created it, and therefore no legitimate validation documents exist that tie it to my identity. 

If XXXX claims otherwise, they must produce : An application signed BY ME Identification documents provided BY ME IP address logs tied TO devices that I own Device ID or digital fingerprinting linking TO my personal electronics Phone number verification logs tied TO numbers that belong to me Geolocation verification reflecting my confirmed address Transaction logs originating FROM me Any form of payment instrument belonging TO me Because none of these items exist, XXXX can not authenticate any element of this account. If any such documentation appears in their system, it was generated by a fraudster and should be immediately categorized as identity theft. 

XXXX. Filing the FTC Identity Theft Report and Taking All Required Steps Upon discovering this unauthorized account, I followed the federal requirements outlined by the FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for consumers dealing with identity theft. My actions included : Filing an FTC Identity Theft Report Creating an identity theft affidavit Contacting the credit bureaus to report the fraud Disputing the XXXX  account directly with the bureaus Freezing my credit Reviewing my credit report for other fraudulent entries Retaining documentation for legal and regulatory review The FTC Identity Theft Report serves as a legally recognized statement that I am a victim of identity theft. Under FCRA 605B, once a consumer provides an identity theft report, the furnisher and the credit bureaus are required to block all fraudulent information from the consumers file within four business days unless the furnisher provides clear evidence that the information is accurate. XXXX has not provided any such evidence. 

XXXX. The Harm Caused by XXXX Continued Reporting The presence of this fraudulent account has caused ongoing and escalating damage to my financial well-being, including but not limited to : A

. Credit Score Damage A fraudulent account, especially one in delinquency or derogatory status, severely harms my credit standing. It increases my debt-to-income ratio, displays payment history that is not mine, and negatively affects my credit utilization and creditworthiness. B. Denial of Credit Opportunities Because of this fraudulent information, lenders may incorrectly assume I have unmanaged or unpaid debt. This has the potential to cause denials for loans, credit cards, housing applications, or employment screenings. 

C. Emotional Distress Managing identity theft is mentally exhausting. The repeated disputes, documentation requirements, and uncertainty about my financial security cause significant stress and XXXX 

D. Damage to My Reputation False reporting implies irresponsibility with credit, which harms my personal and professional reputation.

E. Continued Risk of Reinsertion If the account remains unblocked or is not deleted entirely, it may reappear even after dispute resolutions a problem explicitly addressed under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ). 

The damage will continue unless the account is permanently removed. 

XXXX. XXXX Failure to Validate the Alleged Account When disputing this account with the credit bureaus, XXXX failed to provide any : Contract Signature Verified application Documentation with matching personal identifiers Device verification logs Consent records Legally binding proof Instead, the account remains on my credit report with no supporting evidence. Because the burden of proof lies with the furnisher not the victim this failure requires immediate deletion of the account. 

If XXXX continues to report the account without proper authentication, it constitutes : Willful noncompliance Negligent noncompliance Violations of federal reporting guidelines A failure to follow reasonable procedures for dispute investigations This is a violation of my rights as a consumer. 

XXXX. How This Account Likely Resulted From Identity Theft Although I do not know the exact method used by the fraudster, identity thieves commonly use : Previously leaked personal data Stolen mail Phishing attempts Synthetic identity construction Unauthorized use of old or compromised digital credentials Without stricter validation measures, accounts can be opened with falsified or incomplete identification especially when done entirely online. 

I have no connection with XXXX, no history of attempting to open an account with them, and no reason why I would ever initiate this form of credit. This strengthens the evidence that the account was opened by someone else using my information without permission. 

7. Requirements Under Federal Law for Identity Theft Victims The FCRA provides strong protections for victims of identity theft, which include : A. Blocking Fraudulent Information ( 605B ) Once notified and given proper documentation, the furnisher MUST block fraudulent information.

B. Reinvestigation Requirements ( 611 ) The furnisher must conduct an independent, good-faith reinvestigation, not merely rely on automated e-OSCAR responses.

C. Furnisher Responsibilities ( 623 ( A ) ) Information provided to credit bureaus must be accurate and verifiable.

D. Reasonable Procedures Requirement ( 607 ( B ) ) Furnishers must have robust systems to avoid reporting fraudulent data. 

XXXXs continued reporting of this account despite the identity theft documentation is inconsistent with these federal mandates. 

XXXX. What I Requested From XXXX and Why They Must Comply I have already requested that XXXX : Validate the account Provide documentation Remove the fraudulent entry Cease all reporting Stop furnishing inaccurate information To date, XXXX has not satisfied these requirements. They have not produced any documentation linking me to this account. Their inaction places them in violation of federal reporting standards and harms me as a victim of identity theft. 

XXXX. Detailed Explanation of the Ongoing Issues A. Lack of Communication and Transparency I have not received any substantive responses or explanations directly from XXXX. 

B. Continued Appearance on My Credit Reports Even after filing the FTC report, the account remains on my file. 

C. Automated Verification Failures Many furnishers use automated systems ( like XXXX ), which can not properly handle identity theft cases. This may have allowed the fraudulent account to remain despite my disputes. 

D. Incorrect Reporting to All Three Credit Bureaus This increases the difficulty of clearing my name and amplifies the damage.

E. Threat of Further Fraud The existence of this account suggests my information is still at risk. 

XXXX. Why This Account Must Be Immediately Deleted A fraudulent account can not be corrected it can only be removed. 

Because : I had no involvement in creating it XXXX can not verify it The FTC Identity Theft Report is filed The FCRA mandates blocking The account harms my accuracy rights The account is legally invalid The only lawful and fair action is permanent deletion. 

XXXX. The Damage Will Continue Until This Account Is Removed Every day that this account remains : It harms my credit It misrepresents my financial behavior It limits my opportunities It compounds identity theft trauma It undermines federal consumer protection laws The longer XXXX delays, the greater the violations become. 

XXXX. My Full Request to the CFPB I respectfully request that the CFPB require XXXX to : Delete the fraudulent XXXX  account ( Ref : XXXXXXXX XXXX ) from all credit bureaus Stop reporting or re-reporting this fraudulent information Cease all collection efforts Acknowledge that I am not responsible for any associated debt Comply fully with the FTC Identity Theft guidelines and FCRA provisions Provide written confirmation of the resolution I have done everything required of me as a victim of identity theft. XXXX must now do its part and comply with federal law. 

XXXX. Conclusion The XXXX account appearing on my credit report is fraudulent and the result of identity theft. I do not own it, I did not authorize it, and XXXX has no legally valid basis for continuing to report it. I have filed an FTC Identity Theft Report, disputed the account, and taken every step required by the FCRA. At this point, the only lawful and fair resolution is the complete removal of the account from all credit bureaus and confirmation that I owe nothing related to it. 

I respectfully request the CFPBs assistance in ensuring that XXXX fully complies with its legal obligations under federal law and permanently deletes this fraudulent account.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief