Debt collection -- Attempts to collect debt not owed -- Complaint #13845713
Synchrony Financial Accused of Collecting Non-Existent Debt
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 13845713
Company: Synchrony Financial
Product: Debt collection
Sub-Product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-Issue: Debt is not yours
State: Florida
ZIP Code: 32904
Date Received: 2025-05-31T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2025-06-02T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Referral
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: medium
The risk is medium because the complaint alleges a serious error in debt collection, potentially leading to regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage if not handled properly.
Consumer Sentiment: negative
Topics: Debt collection, Credit card debt, Identity theft, Disputed debt
AI Analysis
CFPB complaint 13845713 was filed against SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL regarding Debt collection (Credit card debt), specifically about "Attempts to collect debt not owed". A consumer disputed a debt collection attempt by Synchrony Financial for a credit card debt that was not theirs, and the issue was closed with non-monetary relief. The complaint was received on May 31, 2025 from Florida. The company responded with "Closed with non-monetary relief".
What You Should Do -- Consumer Action Plan
Consumers should immediately dispute any debt collection attempts for debts they do not owe and keep detailed records of all communication.
Legal Context & Consumer Protection Laws
Debt collection practices are governed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits collectors from using deceptive or unfair practices.
Regulatory Insight
This case highlights the importance of robust internal controls for debt collectors to ensure they are pursuing legitimate debts and not harassing consumers for accounts they do not own.
Resolution Likelihood
mixed
State-Specific Consumer Protections
In Florida, consumers have rights under state law to protection against unfair or deceptive debt collection practices, in addition to federal protections.
Industry Comparison
This situation is common in the credit card debt collection industry, where errors in account ownership or data transfer can lead to incorrect collection attempts.
Related Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CFPB complaint 13845713 about?
CFPB complaint 13845713 involves Debt collection (Credit card debt). The consumer reported an issue with "Attempts to collect debt not owed", specifically "Debt is not yours". This complaint was filed against SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL on May 31, 2025.
Which company is complaint 13845713 filed against?
Complaint 13845713 was filed against SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL. You can view all complaints against this company on their profile page at /company/synchrony-financial.
What was the company's response to complaint 13845713?
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL responded with "Closed with non-monetary relief". The response was marked as timely by the CFPB.
When was complaint 13845713 filed?
Complaint 13845713 was received by the CFPB on May 31, 2025. It was sent to SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL on June 2, 2025.
What state was complaint 13845713 filed from?
Complaint 13845713 was filed from Florida. You can view all complaints from this state at /state/FL.
Was the consumer satisfied with the resolution of complaint 13845713?
Dispute information is not available for complaint 13845713.
What product category is complaint 13845713 about?
Complaint 13845713 is categorized under "Debt collection", specifically "Credit card debt". This is one of the product categories tracked by the CFPB.
How was complaint 13845713 submitted?
Complaint 13845713 was submitted via Referral. The CFPB accepts complaints through web, phone, mail, email, fax, and referral channels.
What are the consumer's legal options for complaint 13845713?
Debt collection practices are governed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits collectors from using deceptive or unfair practices. This relates to a Debt collection complaint against SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL involving "Attempts to collect debt not owed".
How likely is complaint 13845713 to be resolved?
Resolution likelihood: mixed. The company's current response is "Closed with non-monetary relief". The company did respond in a timely manner, which is a positive indicator.
What does the risk level mean for complaint 13845713?
This complaint is rated as medium risk. The risk is medium because the complaint alleges a serious error in debt collection, potentially leading to regulatory scrutiny and reputational damage if not handled properly.
What regulatory actions apply to complaint 13845713?
This case highlights the importance of robust internal controls for debt collectors to ensure they are pursuing legitimate debts and not harassing consumers for accounts they do not own. The CFPB tracks complaints like this one to identify patterns of misconduct across the Debt collection industry.
What should the consumer do about complaint 13845713?
Consumers should immediately dispute any debt collection attempts for debts they do not owe and keep detailed records of all communication.
Are there state-specific protections for complaint 13845713?
In Florida, consumers have rights under state law to protection against unfair or deceptive debt collection practices, in addition to federal protections. This complaint was filed from Florida.
How does complaint 13845713 compare to industry norms?
This situation is common in the credit card debt collection industry, where errors in account ownership or data transfer can lead to incorrect collection attempts.
What constitutes 'non-monetary relief' in a debt collection dispute?
Non-monetary relief typically involves actions other than financial compensation, such as the removal of incorrect information from credit reports, cessation of collection activities, or an apology.
What steps should a consumer take if they receive a debt collection notice for a debt they don't recognize?
Consumers should immediately send a written dispute letter to the debt collector requesting validation of the debt and cease all communication until the debt is validated. They should also consider placing a fraud alert on their credit reports.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated and does not constitute legal advice.