Consumer complaint received 2019-11-27
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Was not notified of investigation status or results

Complaint:
Since Equifax responded to my first complaint ( XXXX ) with a generic response indicating they feel I'm working with a credit repair company ( and somehow CFPB deemed that response to be sufficient enough to close my complaint ) I will submit a second complaint with further clarity. I'm also going to allow this complaint to be public so others can learn from my experience, and hopefully use to their own benefit. 

I AM NOT WORKING WITH A CREDIT REPAIR COMPANY. I AM ACTING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND ONLY MYSELF. I am the grandson of two immigrants, I have a 6 year advanced education, two degrees ( the first in my family ), and today I lead a 120-staff business and technology consulting practice. Yes, I have the ability to read and research on my own, and yes I have the motivation to see this through. I HAVE NOT HIRED A CREDIT REPAIR COMPANY BECAUSE I AM WELL AWARE OF THE FACT THAT I CAN DO EVERYTHING MYSELF AND FRANKLY I WOULDN'T TRUST A CREDIT REPAIR COMPANY TO DO ADEQUATE LEGWORK. 

NOW, PLEASE READ THE BELOW THOROUGHLY - DO NO DISREGARD MY COMPLAINT WITH ANOTHER GENERIC RESPONSE : Equifax is in clear violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) for failure to properly verify a public record item that is appearing on my credit report. I intend to pursue litigation if this can not be resolved within 15 days. I have consultations with two FCRA attorneys this afternoon ( XX/XX/XXXX XXXX who are compensated based on outcome. 

Over the past several months, I have sent a total of three letters to Equifax asking them to investigate a public record that is appearing on my credit file. The response to my first letter ( which was dated XX/XX/XXXX ) came back that the item was verified. I then wrote a second letter ( dated XX/XX/XXXX ) requesting the method of verification used in their investigation of my disputed item ( our right as consumers under the FCRA ). I then received a reply that was EXACTLY the same as the first reply - simply stating the item was verified ; but no specific method of verification related to my case was given. I then wrote a third letter ( dated XX/XX/XXXX ) again requesting method of verification specific to my case. I received a reply from Equifax on XX/XX/XXXX indicating again that the item was verified. This letter however also contained a GENERIC statement titled " In reference to your question regarding the investigation process ''. This statement begins with a paragraph targeted to individuals requesting information on verification of bank and credit card disputes. Not applicable to my case. 

The second paragraph attempts to pacify folks like me who are requesting verification procedures on pubic record disputes, but this information is not specific to MY case and does not tell me specifically how MY disputed item in particular was verified. In fact, the paragraph uses language such as " This information is often obtained from ... '', and " Equifax may use ... '', etc. This vague, nebulous language merely gives a general overview of how someone's public record item MIGHT be verified - but it does not tell me how specifically MY disputed item was verified. For example, did someone physically go to the courthouse and obtain copies of the paper filings related to the case that is appearing on my credit file? If so, when, and who? Or was information obtained from a 3rd party entity? If so, what entity, what paperwork was obtained, who performed the investigation, and when? Equifax should be aware or at least know that I am aware that they are required to verify this information DIRECTLY WITH THE DATA FURNISHER, not a 3rd party application or entity. 

Interestingly enough, in conducting my own research and attempting to facilitate resolution for myself, I obtained a document from the listed U.S. Bankruptcy Court ( BY DRIVING MYSELF THERE ) which indicates they DO NOT share information with 3rd parties. Additionally, my XXXX file has had a security freeze in place since XX/XX/XXXX ; which they confirm prevents sharing of information externally to other parties. Therefore it is impossible that Equifax could have verified this in any manner they generically stated. 

The dismissive, willful, negligent noncompliance by Equifax in regards to my request is a violation of my rights under the FCRA, and I fully intend to pursue litigation if this can not be rectified within 15 days. 

IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE : The information appearing with this public record item indicates it is scheduled to automatically fall off of my report by XX/XX/XXXX. While I'm aware that is only a couple of months away, if Equifax believes Im going to be fine just sitting by waiting for that to eventually happen, they are mistaken. I am a motivated, resourceful individual, and I will not give up until I have resolution either in the form of a verification that is allotted to me by power of the United States government and the FCRA, a deleted public record item, or a lawsuit awarding me for each violation of the FCRA as well as defamation of character and punitive damages. 


CFPB : Your help in escalation and driving resolution as my consumer advocate and protective entity is appreciated. PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW EQUIFAX TO RESPOND WITH A GENERIC REPLY AND DEEM IT AS SUFFICIENT TO CLOSE MY COMPLAINT. I AM SIMPLY REQUESTING VERIFICATION PROCEDURES USED TO VERIFY MY DISPUTE. Seems simple enough, right? Why do you think Equifax hasn't been able to do this in any of my three letters or first CFPB complaint??

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation