Consumer complaint received 2025-08-19 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Opening an account — Unable to open an account
Company: Early Warning Services, LLC
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
b'CEASE AND DESIST DEMAND\nDate: XXXX XXXX XXXXnTO: Early Warning Services, LLC Consumer Services Department XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX\nRE: IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF FRAUDULENT CREDIT REPORTING Consumer #: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX\n \nNOTICE OF FRAUDULENT REPORTING AND DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CESSATION\nTO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:\nYou are hereby notified that you are engaged in fraudulent and unlawful credit reporting activities concerning the undersigned consumer. This letter serves as formal notice and demand that you immediately cease and desist from all fraudulent reporting activities related to the below-referenced fraudulent accounts that were opened through identity theft without my knowledge, consent, or authorization.\nFACTUAL BACKGROUND AND FRAUDULENT ACCOUNTS\nI am the victim of identity theft. Multiple fraudulent accounts were opened in my name without my knowledge, consent, or authorization. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Early Warning initially blocked information in my consumer report as the result of alleged identity theft per my request. However, on XXXX XXXX XXXX  Early Warning rescinded these blocks across three separate dispute cases XXXX XXXX XXXX and reinserted fraudulent information, claiming such information is "accurate and complete."\nThis reinsertion constitutes fraudulent reporting because:\n1.\tI NEVER OPENED THESE ACCOUNTS\n2.\tTHE ADDRESSES USED TO OPEN THESE ACCOUNTS ARE NOT MY ADDRESSES\n3.\tYOU HAVE PROVIDED NO DOCUMENTATION PROVING I OPENED THESE ACCOUNTS\n4.\tYOU HAVE FAILED TO VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY OF THESE ACCOUNTS\nFRAUDULENT ACCOUNTS TO BE PERMANENTLY REMOVED:\nXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ACCOUNTS:\n\tAccount XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Opened XXXX XXXXno\tFraudulent Address UsedXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Status: Account Abuse\no\tCurrent Status: Post No Debits (negative balance of XXXX\n\tAccounXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX \no\tFraudulent Address Used: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXno\tCurrent Status: Savings Dormant/Inactive\n\tAccount XXXX  (RoutinXXXX XXXX XXXX  Opened XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXo\tCurrent Status: Post No Debits (negative balance of XXXX\n\tAccount #XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX \no\tFraudulent Address Used: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  FRAUDULENT ACCOUNTS:\n\tAccount XXXX XXXX XXXX  - Incident Date: XXXX  \no\tFraudulent Address Used: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Status: Account Abuse\no\tContribution Ref #: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXno\tFraudulent Address Used: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXo\tCurrent Status: Closed\n\tAccounXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Closed XXXX  \no\tFraudulent Address Used: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXno\tCurrent Status: Closed\nXXXX XXXX  FRAUDULENT ACCOUNT:\n\tAccount XXXX XXXX XXXX  - Opened XXXX CloseXXXX XXXX \no\tFraudulent Address Used: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXo\tCurrent Status: Closed For Cause\nXXXX XXXX FRAUDULENT TRANSACTIONS:\n\tAccount XXXX XXXX XXXX \no\tCheck transaction of XXXX XXXX XXXXPROOF OF ADDRESS FRAUD\nMY LEGITIMATE ADDRESS: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXRAUDULENT ADDRESSES USED BY IDENTITY THIEVES:\XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX (used for multiple XXXX XXXX  and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX account variation)\nXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account)\nThese addresses are NOT my addresses and were never my addresses. The use of these fraudulent addresses is clear evidence that these accounts were opened through identity theft.\nLEGAL VIOLATIONS\nYour continued fraudulent reporting violates numerous federal and state laws, including but not limited to:\nFair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) - 15 U.S.C.  1681 et seq.\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(a)(1)(A) - Duty to provide accurate information to consumer reporting agencies\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(a)(1)(B) - Prohibition against reporting information with actual knowledge of errors\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(a)(1)(C) - Duty to provide complete information to consumer reporting agencies\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(a)(2) - Duty to update information\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(b)(1) - Duty to investigate disputes\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(b)(1)(E) - Review of all relevant information provided by consumer reporting agency\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681i - Procedure in case of disputed accuracy\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681c-2 - Block of information resulting from identity theft\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681h - Conditions and form of disclosure to consumers\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681n - Civil liability for willful noncompliance\n\t15 U.S.C.  1681o - Civil liability for negligent noncompliance\nFair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) - 15 U.S.C.  1692 et seq.\n\t15 U.S.C.  1692e - False or misleading representations\n\t15 U.S.C.  1692e(2)(A) - False representation of character, amount, or legal status of debt\n\t15 U.S.C.  1692e(5) - Threat to take action that cannot legally be taken\n\t15 U.S.C.  1692e(8) - Communicating false credit information\n\t15 U.S.C.  1692f - Unfair practices\n\t15 U.S.C.  1692f(1) - Collection of amount not authorized by agreement or law\nTruth in Lending Act (TILA) - 15 U.S.C.  1601 et seq.\n\t15 U.S.C.  1602(i) - Unauthorized extension of credit\n\t15 U.S.C.  1640 - Civil liability for violations\nElectronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) - 15 U.S.C.  1693 et seq.\n\t15 U.S.C.  1693c - Terms and conditions of transfers\n\t15 U.S.C.  1693f - Error resolution procedures\n\t15 U.S.C.  1693m - Civil liability for violations\nIdentity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act\n\t18 U.S.C.  1028 - Fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents\n\t18 U.S.C.  1028A - Aggravated identity theft\nConsumer Financial Protection Act\n\t12 U.S.C.  5531 - Unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices\n\t12 U.S.C.  5536 - Prohibited acts\nGramm-Leach-Bliley Act - 15 U.S.C.  6801 et seq.\n\t15 U.S.C.  6823 - Criminal penalty for unauthorized disclosure\nNorth Carolina Consumer Protection Laws\n\tN.C. Gen. Stat.  75-1.1 - Unfair and deceptive trade practices\n\tN.C. Gen. Stat.  14-113.20 - Identity theft protection\n\tN.C. Gen. Stat.  14-113.20A - Financial identity fraud\n\tN.C. Gen. Stat.  58-39-1 et seq. - Identity Theft Protection Act\n\tN.C. Gen. Stat.  75-16.2 - Identity theft protection\nFederal Trade Commission Act\n\t15 U.S.C.  45 - Unfair or deceptive acts or practices\nCheck 21 Act - 12 U.S.C.  5001 et seq.\n\tRegarding fraudulent check processing and NSF transactions\nBank Secrecy Act - 31 U.S.C.  5311 et seq.\n\t31 U.S.C.  5318 - Compliance and examination authority\n\tRegarding Know Your Customer requirements\nSPECIFIC VIOLATIONS AND DAMAGES\nYour actions constitute:\n1.\tWillful non-compliance with FCRA identity theft block requirements under 15 U.S.C.  1681c-2\n2.\tNegligent and willful reporting of information you know or should know is fraudulent\n3.\tFailure to maintain reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy per 15 U.S.C.  1681e(b)\n4.\tViolation of reinvestigation duties under 15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(b)\n5.\tReporting without proper verification of account authenticity and consumer authorization\n6.\tIgnoring clear evidence of identity theft including fraudulent addresses\n7.\tFailure to comply with Know Your Customer requirements during account opening\n8.\tUnfair and deceptive practices under state and federal consumer protection laws\n9.\tContinuing to report fraudulent debts constituting false debt collection under FDCPA\nEVIDENCE OF FRAUD YOU HAVE IGNORED:\n1.\tAddress Inconsistencies: All fraudulent accounts show addresses I have never lived at\n2.\tPattern of Fraud: Multiple accounts opened in short timeframes with same fraudulent contact information\n3.\tAccount Abuse Designations: Your own system flagged accounts for "Account Abuse"\n4.\tExcessive NSF/Return Activity: Pattern consistent with fraudulent account usage\n5.\tGeographic Inconsistencies: Accounts opened from addresses outside my residential history\nThese violations have caused and continue to cause:\n\tSevere damage to credit standing and reputation\n\tDenial of credit and financial opportunities\n\tEmotional distress and mental anguish\n\tTime and expense in attempting to resolve fraudulent reporting\n\tInterference with employment and housing opportunities\n\tFinancial losses due to higher interest rates and denied credit\n\tDamage to XXXX and banking relationships\nIMMEDIATE DEMANDS\nYou are hereby ORDERED and DEMANDED to:\n1.\tIMMEDIATELY AND PERMANENTLY CEASE all reporting of the fraudulent accounts listed above\n2.\tPERMANENTLY DELETE AND PURGE all references to these fraudulent accounts from my consumer file: \no\tXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX transactions on account XXXXn3.\tREMOVE ALL NEGATIVE BALANCES and account abuse designations\n4.\tDELETE ALL FRAUDULENT INQUIRIES associated with these accounts\n5.\tSEND IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE NOTICES to all parties who have received my consumer report within the past 24 months\n6.\tPROVIDE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION of permanent deletion within ten (10) business days\n7.\tPRESERVE ALL DOCUMENTS related to these accounts and your reporting practices\n8.\tCEASE ALL COLLECTION ACTIVITIES related to these fraudulent accounts\n9.\tCOMPENSATE for all damages caused by your fraudulent reporting activities\nBURDEN OF PROOF FAILURE\nYou have FAILED to provide any documentation proving that I:\n\tOpened any of these accounts\n\tAuthorized any of these accounts\n\tEver lived at the fraudulent addresses used XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX\n\tHad any legitimate connection to these accounts\nYOU CANNOT LAWFULLY REPORT INFORMATION YOU CANNOT VERIFY AS ACCURATE.\nThe FCRA requires you to maintain reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy. Your reinsertion of blocked identity theft information without proper verification violates 15 U.S.C.  1681c-2 and constitutes willful noncompliance under 15 U.S.C.  1681n.\nNOTICE OF INTENT TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION\nPlease be advised that if you fail to comply with these demands within ten (10) business days of receipt of this notice, I will pursue all available legal remedies, including but not limited to:\nFederal Actions:\n\tFiling complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) under 12 U.S.C.  5531\n\tFiling complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under 15 U.S.C.  45\n\tFiling complaints with Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC)\n\tFiling complaints with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)\n\tInitiating federal litigation under multiple statutes seeking: \no\tFCRA violations: Actual damages exceeding XXXX, statutory damages up to XXXX XXXXer violation, punitive damages for willful noncompliance\no\tFDCPA violations: Actual damages, statutory damages up to XXXX additional damages up to XXXX XXXXor class actions\no\tEFTA violations: Actual damages, statutory damages, punitive damages\no\tTILA violations: Actual damages, statutory damages\no\tAttorney\'s fees and costs under 15 U.S.C.  1681n,  1681o,  1692k,  1693m, and  1640\nState Actions:\n\tFiling complaints with North Carolina Attorney General\'s Office\n\tInitiating state law claims under: \no\tN.C. Gen. Stat.  75-1.1 - Unfair and deceptive trade practices (treble damages)\no\tN.C. Gen. Stat.  14-113.20 - Identity theft protection\no\tN.C. Gen. Stat.  58-39-1 et seq. - Identity Theft Protection Act\n\tSeeking injunctive relief to prevent further violations\nCriminal Referrals:\n\t18 U.S.C.  1028 - Identity theft and fraud\n\tN.C. Gen. Stat.  14-113.20A - Financial identity fraud\n\tBank fraud and wire fraud charges for continued fraudulent reporting\nSPECIFIC LEGAL REQUIREMENTS YOU MUST MEET\nUnder 15 U.S.C.  1681c-2(a)(1), upon receipt of appropriate proof of identity theft, you are REQUIRED to block reporting of fraudulent information. Your reinsertion violates this mandatory requirement.\nUnder 15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(a)(1)(A), you may only report information that is accurate. Since you cannot prove I opened these accounts, continued reporting violates this provision.\nUnder 15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(b)(1)(E), you must review ALL relevant information provided by the consumer reporting agency during reinvestigation. You have failed to properly review evidence of fraud.\nVERIFICATION OF RECEIPT REQUIRED\nYou are required to acknowledge receipt of this cease and desist demand in writing within five (5) business days. Your failure to respond will be deemed admission of the accuracy of all statements herein and waiver of any defenses to the violations alleged.\nPRESERVATION NOTICE\nThis letter serves as formal notice to preserve all documents, electronically stored information, and communications related to:\n\tAll above-referenced fraudulent consumer accounts\n\tYour account opening procedures and verification processes\n\tAll communications with furnishing institutions regarding these accounts\n\tAny investigations, reviews, or compliance audits conducted\n\tDocumentation of address verification procedures\n\tIdentity verification procedures for account openings\n\tAll fraud detection and prevention measures\n\tTraining materials related to identity theft detection\nFailure to preserve such materials may result in spoliation sanctions in any subsequent litigation.\nFINAL NOTICE\nI NEVER OPENED THESE ACCOUNTS. I NEVER LIVED AT THE ADDRESSES USED TO OPEN THESE ACCOUNTS. I NEVER AUTHORIZED THESE ACCOUNTS. THESE ARE FRAUDULENT ACCOUNTS OPENED THROUGH IDENTITY THEFT.\nYour continued reporting of fraudulent information after being put on notice constitutes willful violations of federal law carrying enhanced damages and penalties.\nTIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. Your immediate compliance is required to avoid legal action.\n \nRespectfully submitted,\nXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation