Debt collection -- Attempts to collect debt not owed -- Complaint #19161283
Identity Theft Leads to Wrongful Debt Collection Attempt
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 19161283
Company: Cl Holdings LLC
Product: Debt collection
Sub-Product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-Issue: Debt was result of identity theft
State: Georgia
ZIP Code: 30016
Date Received: 2026-01-31T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2026-02-01T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: high
Attempting to collect a debt that is not owed, especially due to identity theft, can lead to significant financial and emotional distress for the consumer, and carries substantial legal and reputational risks for the debt collector.
Consumer Sentiment: negative
Topics: Debt collection, Identity theft, False debt collection
AI Analysis
CFPB complaint 19161283 was filed against CL Holdings LLC regarding Debt collection (Other debt), specifically about "Attempts to collect debt not owed". A consumer reported that CL Holdings LLC attempted to collect a debt that was the result of identity theft. The complaint was received on January 31, 2026 from Georgia. The company responded with "Closed with explanation".
What You Should Do -- Consumer Action Plan
If you are contacted about a debt you do not owe due to identity theft, immediately dispute the debt in writing with the collector and provide any evidence of identity theft you have.
Legal Context & Consumer Protection Laws
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from using deceptive or unfair practices, including attempting to collect debts that are not legally owed by the consumer.
Regulatory Insight
Regulators are increasingly focused on ensuring debt collectors verify the validity of debts before attempting collection, particularly in cases involving potential fraud or identity theft.
Resolution Likelihood
likely
State-Specific Consumer Protections
While this complaint is from Georgia, the principles of debt collection and consumer protection apply nationwide.
Industry Comparison
This situation highlights a common issue where debt collectors may pursue debts without adequate verification, leading to consumer harm.
Related Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CFPB complaint 19161283 about?
CFPB complaint 19161283 involves Debt collection (Other debt). The consumer reported an issue with "Attempts to collect debt not owed", specifically "Debt was result of identity theft". This complaint was filed against CL Holdings LLC on January 31, 2026.
Which company is complaint 19161283 filed against?
Complaint 19161283 was filed against CL Holdings LLC. You can view all complaints against this company on their profile page at /company/cl-holdings-llc.
What was the company's response to complaint 19161283?
CL Holdings LLC responded with "Closed with explanation". The response was marked as timely by the CFPB.
When was complaint 19161283 filed?
Complaint 19161283 was received by the CFPB on January 31, 2026. It was sent to CL Holdings LLC on February 1, 2026.
What state was complaint 19161283 filed from?
Complaint 19161283 was filed from Georgia. You can view all complaints from this state at /state/GA.
Was the consumer satisfied with the resolution of complaint 19161283?
Dispute information is not available for complaint 19161283.
What product category is complaint 19161283 about?
Complaint 19161283 is categorized under "Debt collection", specifically "Other debt". This is one of the product categories tracked by the CFPB.
How was complaint 19161283 submitted?
Complaint 19161283 was submitted via Web. The CFPB accepts complaints through web, phone, mail, email, fax, and referral channels.
What are the consumer's legal options for complaint 19161283?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from using deceptive or unfair practices, including attempting to collect debts that are not legally owed by the consumer. This relates to a Debt collection complaint against CL Holdings LLC involving "Attempts to collect debt not owed".
How likely is complaint 19161283 to be resolved?
Resolution likelihood: likely. The company's current response is "Closed with explanation". The company did respond in a timely manner, which is a positive indicator.
What does the risk level mean for complaint 19161283?
This complaint is rated as high risk. Attempting to collect a debt that is not owed, especially due to identity theft, can lead to significant financial and emotional distress for the consumer, and carries substantial legal and reputational risks for the debt collector.
What regulatory actions apply to complaint 19161283?
Regulators are increasingly focused on ensuring debt collectors verify the validity of debts before attempting collection, particularly in cases involving potential fraud or identity theft. The CFPB tracks complaints like this one to identify patterns of misconduct across the Debt collection industry.
What should the consumer do about complaint 19161283?
If you are contacted about a debt you do not owe due to identity theft, immediately dispute the debt in writing with the collector and provide any evidence of identity theft you have.
Are there state-specific protections for complaint 19161283?
While this complaint is from Georgia, the principles of debt collection and consumer protection apply nationwide. This complaint was filed from Georgia.
How does complaint 19161283 compare to industry norms?
This situation highlights a common issue where debt collectors may pursue debts without adequate verification, leading to consumer harm.
What steps should a consumer take if they suspect identity theft related to a debt?
Consumers should immediately file a police report, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, and dispute the debt in writing with the debt collector, providing evidence of the identity theft.
What are the potential consequences for a debt collector who attempts to collect a debt resulting from identity theft?
Debt collectors can face legal action under the FDCPA, including statutory damages, actual damages, attorney's fees, and potential regulatory penalties.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated and does not constitute legal advice.