Consumer complaint received 2023-11-27
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: OH
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Information belongs to someone else

Complaint:
My grandmother added me on to her credit card as an Authorized User when I became XXXX, as I was studying abroad and may need access to emergency funds. I've been an Authorized User on the account since then. She passed on XX/XX/XXXX. I received a notification from my XXXX XXXX that there was an unpaid balance on my account and the balance was 60-90 days late. I called XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, and the representative said there was a balance of {$4200.00}. 

My grandmother had also added my Aunt, Sister, and mother on as authorized users to the same account. I informed the XXXX representative that my grandmother had passed. She informed me that they had received the death certificate for my grandmother, but it had not been forwarded to their department. She apologized for the mix up and for my loss. I thanked her and let her know my mother was the executor of my grandmother 's trust and asked if there was anything else needed on my end. She said no and she'd resolve it. I had believed the issue to be resolved. 

I know it can take 90 days for the credit to be removed from a credit account. I continued to see this on my report through XXXX, and submitted an online dispute through Equifax for the credit providing the information above. I received an automated reply stating it would be completed. I thought nothing of it, until this weekend when I received another email from XXXX XXXX  stating that I still had the XXXX account on my credit report. 

I called Equifax today and had a horrendous experience. While combatting a cold, I had to argue with their automated system. I attempted to get a representative by asking for one repeatedly. I finally received one. After explaining my issue, the representative, XXXX, said she had my account in front of her. She then verified my identity, after I had already given the automated system my SSN, verified using a text message, and my address. She then asked for the dispute number. I'm unsure why, as she had my account in front of her and this is the only thing I've disputed on my account. I was able to find the dispute number and gave it to her. She then said that she sees that I reported it as not mine because of my ex-wife. 

I do not have an ex-wife. I just got married for the first time in XXXX. Hearing this just further upset me. The lack of attention from this representative was appalling, especially when my grandmother had only past in XXXX. XXXX said she'd look into it, and she said XXXX said I was responsible for the amount. I corrected her, and said I was an authorized user and have no legal responsibility for the amount. She wasn't able to give me a reason as to why my initial dispute was rejected in the first place. 

After finally submitting another dispute with XXXX, and the unprofessionalism from her in regards to my deceased grandmother and the issue on my credit report. XXXX then tried to take advantage of me while I'm still emotionally vulnerable to sell me Equifax 's service of credit monitoring. She insisted that I didn't actually know about this issue before calling. I informed her I completed everything online and utilize XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX credit monitoring.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief