Consumer complaint received 2020-09-23
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: WA
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: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2020 @ XXXX PST I called XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX to inquire about two separate erroneous collection accounts on my credit profile- one in the amount of {$210.00} from XXXX for an unpaid cable bill, and an account for {$420.00} from XXXX ( Internet I am assuming ) for not returning some unspecified cable equipment. I spoke to a XXXX/XXXX manager by the name of XXXX. After some discussion about the specifics of the collection, she was unable locate an account under my name or social security number. She stated that she assumed the account was either too old to find any meaningful information, or it was under someone else 's name that lived at the address. She was able to do locate an account using my old address, but could not confirm an account associated with me or my name, only the address associated with the unpaid bill. The address/lease was in my name, with a roommate named XXXX being added to my lease a few months later. XXXX XXXX had cable installed IN HIS ROOM. I myself never had a cable plan at this address. Because XXXX can not be located, the collection agency came after me because my name is associated with the address of the unpaid bill, even though the debt is not under my social security number nor my name. She also could not confirm the identity of the actual account holder for legal reasons. XXXX stated that because the debt was so old, there was nothing she could do because the rights to pursue the debt had already more than likely already been " transferred to an " investor '' and I had to contact the collection agency to resolve the issue. But she wasn't 100 % sure as to how the amounts were placed into collection to begin with. This didn't make sense soI called the collection agency for an explanation. 
On XX/XX/2020 @ XXXX I called XXXX again to try to resolve the issue and I was routed to security department, who informs me there was nothing they could because the debt was too old and the account information couldn't be found. We spoke for 8 minutes trying to resolve the issue. 
On the same date, XX/XX/2020, I called the collection agency to discuss the error. I was blatantly lied to several times by " XXXX '', the representative I spoke with. XXXX XXXX said XXXX was actively investigating my claims and that I needed to settle the debt before their investigation was completed and criminal charges be brought against me. I told her she was lying and I had already spoken to XXXX just minutes before and was told the account couldn't be located under my name, and that my address was associated with the bill. XXXX herself could not verify the accuracy of the collection debt, instead trying to put me on hold. I told XXXX that if she could not verify the debt, it needed to removed immediately. She stated to me that my dispute initiated on XX/XX/2020 was still active and that she was waiting for confirmation from XXXX. I informed XXXX that she has until the XX/XX/XXXX to furnish me with proof of debt, NOT PROOF OF MY IDENTITY, BUT PROOF OF THE DEBT BEING UNDER MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. I have yet to receive the information. Both debts do not belong to me and XXXX from XXXX could not figure out how the debt got pursued to begin with. I tried explaining this to the collection agency but they could care less : all they want is the money and do not care about anything else. The collections are 100 % false and 100 % inaccurate. I want them removed immediately. This is ridiculous that collection agencies have this type of power and will not accept any resolution short payment in full.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation