Consumer complaint received 2025-09-08 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Southern Credit Adjusters, Inc.
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
I strongly dispute the adequacy, sufficiency, and legality of Southern Credit Adjusters XXXX Inc.s so-called response dated XX/XX/year>. The company has attempted to close my case with an explanation, but their explanation does not constitute compliance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) nor the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Instead, it is an evasive maneuver designed to shift accountability back to the original creditor, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ( XXXX ), while continuing to damage my credit profile with false, contradictory, and misleading reporting. 

The documents attached by Southern Credit Adjusters consist primarily of internal university emails and correspondence about financial aid, class registration, and future scheduling. None of this constitutes valid debt validation. None of this proves that Southern Credit Adjusters has any lawful right to collect, report, or continue to damage my credit. Instead, it shows the exact opposite that the alleged balance was still under active internal dispute and administrative handling by XXXX at the time. 

This response violates federal law in multiple ways : XXXX. Failure to Validate Debt Under FDCPA 1692g Under 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) - ( b ), once a consumer disputes a debt, a collector must provide competent validation. Competent validation is not a handful of emails. It requires : A copy of the original signed agreement creating the debt. 
A full and complete accounting of all amounts claimed, with an itemized breakdown. 
Proof of legal assignment, transfer, or authority from the original creditor authorizing collection. 

Southern Credit Adjusters provided none of these. Instead, they sent irrelevant emails between me and school staff. This is not validation under federal law. Their refusal to produce true documentation demonstrates that they are either unable or unwilling to comply with their statutory obligations. Continuing to report without proper validation is a clear violation of the FDCPA. 


2. Contradictory and Misleading Reporting Under FCRA 1681e ( b ) This account is being reported simultaneously as open and in collections. That is factually impossible, misleading, and harmful. 

The FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ), requires consumer reporting agencies and furnishers to ensure maximum possible accuracy. Reporting a debt as both an open obligation and a collection account is not maximum possible accuracy it is reckless disregard for the truth. 

This dual reporting makes it appear as if I owe two separate obligations : one ongoing open balance and a delinquent collection account. This artificially inflates derogatory reporting and severely damages my creditworthiness. This type of reporting is the very definition of misleading information under the FCRA.

3. Improperly Shifting Responsibility to the University Southern Credit Adjusters explicitly stated that if I want the account removed, I must contact the university and ask that your account be removed from collections. 

This is outrageous. The FDCPA does not allow a collector to outsource its statutory obligations back to the consumer or the original creditor. Once a consumer disputes a debt, the collector must validate it. Period. 

By telling me to go back to XXXX, the collector is abdicating its legal responsibilities under federal law. This tactic is designed to confuse, frustrate, and delay the consumer, while continuing to report damaging information without proof. The CFPB should take notice of this evasive practice, as it places the burden on the consumer where the law explicitly places it on the collector. 


4. No Proof of Ownership or Assignment of Debt At no point has Southern Credit Adjusters produced : A signed contract binding me to the alleged debt. 
Proof that XXXX legally assigned or transferred the account to them. 
Documentation that they are the rightful owner or authorized collector. 

Without such proof, any reporting they are making is false, unauthorized, and unlawful. Reporting a debt without proving the legal right to do so is a violation of both the FDCPA and FCRA. 


5. Continuing Harm and Damages Because of this inaccurate, contradictory, and unvalidated reporting, I am suffering ongoing harm : Credit Denial & Higher Costs : My credit reports falsely reflect a balance as both open and in collections, which causes lenders to believe I have more delinquent debt than I actually do.

Emotional Distress : Being forced to chase down answers between a collector and a university, neither of whom will take responsibility, is causing ongoing stress and hardship. 
Reputational Harm : My credit score and reputation as a borrower are being actively and unlawfully damaged. 

Both Southern Credit Adjusters and XXXX are liable for these harms.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation