Debt collection -- Attempts to collect debt not owed -- Complaint #20811917
Debt Collector Pursues Identity Theft Victim's Debt
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 20811917
Company: Lj Ross Associates
Product: Debt collection
Sub-Product: I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-Issue: Debt was result of identity theft
State: Georgia
ZIP Code: 30016
Date Received: 2026-03-31T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2026-03-31T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: high
This situation poses a high risk to the consumer as they are being pursued for a debt they do not owe, potentially impacting their credit and leading to significant financial distress.
Consumer Sentiment: negative
Topics: Debt collection, Identity theft
AI Analysis
CFPB complaint 20811917 was filed against LJ Ross Associates regarding Debt collection (I do not know), specifically about "Attempts to collect debt not owed". A consumer reported that LJ Ross Associates attempted to collect a debt that was the result of identity theft. The complaint was received on March 31, 2026 from Georgia. The company responded with "Closed with explanation".
What You Should Do -- Consumer Action Plan
Consumers should immediately dispute the debt in writing with the debt collector and provide evidence of identity theft, such as a police report or FTC affidavit.
Legal Context & Consumer Protection Laws
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors cannot use deceptive or unfair practices, including attempting to collect debts that are not owed.
Regulatory Insight
Regulators are likely to view attempts to collect debts resulting from identity theft as a serious violation of consumer protection laws.
Resolution Likelihood
likely
State-Specific Consumer Protections
In Georgia, as in other states, consumers have rights under both federal and state laws to protect themselves from unfair or deceptive debt collection practices.
Industry Comparison
This is a common issue in the debt collection industry, where identity theft can lead to consumers being wrongly targeted.
Related Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CFPB complaint 20811917 about?
CFPB complaint 20811917 involves Debt collection (I do not know). The consumer reported an issue with "Attempts to collect debt not owed", specifically "Debt was result of identity theft". This complaint was filed against LJ Ross Associates on March 31, 2026.
Which company is complaint 20811917 filed against?
Complaint 20811917 was filed against LJ Ross Associates. You can view all complaints against this company on their profile page at /company/lj-ross-associates.
What was the company's response to complaint 20811917?
LJ Ross Associates responded with "Closed with explanation". The response was marked as timely by the CFPB.
When was complaint 20811917 filed?
Complaint 20811917 was received by the CFPB on March 31, 2026. It was sent to LJ Ross Associates on March 31, 2026.
What state was complaint 20811917 filed from?
Complaint 20811917 was filed from Georgia. You can view all complaints from this state at /state/GA.
Was the consumer satisfied with the resolution of complaint 20811917?
Dispute information is not available for complaint 20811917.
What product category is complaint 20811917 about?
Complaint 20811917 is categorized under "Debt collection", specifically "I do not know". This is one of the product categories tracked by the CFPB.
How was complaint 20811917 submitted?
Complaint 20811917 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 20811917?
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collectors cannot use deceptive or unfair practices, including attempting to collect debts that are not owed. This relates to a Debt collection complaint against LJ Ross Associates involving "Attempts to collect debt not owed".
How likely is complaint 20811917 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 20811917?
This complaint is rated as high risk. This situation poses a high risk to the consumer as they are being pursued for a debt they do not owe, potentially impacting their credit and leading to significant financial distress.
What regulatory actions apply to complaint 20811917?
Regulators are likely to view attempts to collect debts resulting from identity theft as a serious violation of consumer protection laws. The CFPB tracks complaints like this one to identify patterns of misconduct across the Debt collection industry.
What should the consumer do about complaint 20811917?
Consumers should immediately dispute the debt in writing with the debt collector and provide evidence of identity theft, such as a police report or FTC affidavit.
Are there state-specific protections for complaint 20811917?
In Georgia, as in other states, consumers have rights under both federal and state laws to protect themselves from unfair or deceptive debt collection practices. This complaint was filed from Georgia.
How does complaint 20811917 compare to industry norms?
This is a common issue in the debt collection industry, where identity theft can lead to consumers being wrongly targeted.
What steps should a consumer take if they believe they are a victim of identity theft related to a debt?
The consumer should immediately notify the credit bureaus, file a police report, and submit an FTC Identity Theft Affidavit to the debt collector and any relevant credit reporting agencies.
Can a debt collector continue to pursue a debt if it is proven to be a result of identity theft?
No, once it is established that the debt resulted from identity theft, the debt collector must cease collection efforts on that debt.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated and does not constitute legal advice.