Consumer complaint received 2023-09-06
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Investigation took more than 30 days

Complaint:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, California XXXX Telephone : ( XXXX ) XXXX Date of Birth : XX/XX/XXXX SS # : XXXX To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to you today with a heavy heart and a fervent plea for assistance in enforcing the legal provisions that protect consumers like me from the devastating impact of erroneous credit reporting. The violations I have experienced have not only tarnished my financial standing but have also taken an immeasurable toll on my life. 

Account Inaccuracies ( Various Issues ) : My journey into this nightmarish ordeal began when I meticulously reviewed my credit report. To my shock and dismay, I unearthed numerous instances of inaccurate reporting by several creditors, leaving me in disbelief and despair. These violations encompass a wide range of issues, including but not limited to : Incorrect High Balances : Some creditors reported high balances that were grossly inaccurate, painting a misleading picture of my credit utilization. These misrepresentations clearly defy the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), specifically Section 1681e, which mandates the accuracy of credit information.

Inaccurate Dates of Last Activity : The reported dates of last activity on certain accounts are egregiously incorrect, suggesting more recent activity than there actually was. Such inaccuracies violate the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ).

Reaged Accounts : Some creditors have reaged accounts, manipulating the dates of delinquency to make them appear more recent. This is not only misleading but a clear violation of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ).

Reinsertion of Accounts Without Proper Notice : Certain accounts were reinserted into my credit report without providing me with the requisite notice, as mandated by the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ). This lack of transparency only added to the confusion and frustration I have endured. 

Undated Late Payments : Some late payments on my report lack dates, making it impossible to determine their accuracy or relevance. This lack of transparency is inexcusable and violates the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ).

Charge-offs Erroneously Listed as Open : Certain creditors have erroneously listed charge-off accounts as open, further muddying the waters of my credit report, in violation of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ). 

Inclusion of Collection Accounts with Incorrect Limits : I discovered that collection accounts were inaccurately reported with incorrect limits, skewing my credit utilization ratio and damaging my creditworthiness. This is in direct violation of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ).

To compound these issues, some of the accounts were falsely marked as being involved in litigation, indicating a potential violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), as outlined in Section 1692 of the FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 ). 

Incorrect Personal Information : My credit report also contains inaccuracies in my personal information, most notably concerning my previous and current addresses. These inaccuracies directly contradict the stipulations outlined in the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c ). The FCRA obliges credit reporting agencies to maintain precise and current consumer information, and these inaccuracies have been nothing short of devastating. 

Let me share with you how these violations have profoundly impacted my life : As a diligent taxpayer and aspiring homeowner, my financial reputation is of paramount importance. The inaccuracies and unauthorized inquiries on my credit report have led to a series of heartbreaking denials and limitations. For instance, I recently applied for a mortgage to secure a home for my family. Despite having diligently saved for years and maintaining an impeccable payment history, I was denied the opportunity to own a home due to these inaccuracies. My dream of providing stability and security for my loved ones has been ruthlessly shattered. 

The emotional toll of these inaccuracies is impossible to quantify. The XXXX and uncertainty about my financial future have cast a dark shadow over every aspect of my life. The sleepless nights, the nagging fear of rejection, and the heavy burden of unearned shame are constant companions. My mental and emotional well-being have been ravaged by this relentless injustice. 

In light of the egregious violations outlined above, I humbly implore your intervention to enforce the relevant legal provisions and rectify these issues promptly. My sincere request is that you compel the listed creditors to expeditiously remove the unverified accounts from my credit report, in accordance with the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) : [ Creditor Name : XXXX ] Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Violation : Unauthorized Inquiry under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ) [ Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Violations : Account Inaccuracies under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ) and Potential FDCPA Violations ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 ) [ Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX ] Account Number : XXXX Violations : Account Inaccuracies under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ) [ Creditor Name XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ] Account Number : [ Account Number ] Violations : Account Inaccuracies under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ) [ Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Violations : Account Inaccuracies under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ) [ Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Violations : Account Inaccuracies under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ) [ Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX ] Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Violation : Unauthorized Inquiry under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ) [ Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ] Account Number : XXXX Violations : Account Inaccuracies under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ) [ Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX ] Account Number : XXXX Violations : Account Inaccuracies under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ) [ Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Violations : Account Inaccuracies under FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ) Furthermore, I respectfully request a thorough investigation into the mishandling of my personal data, specifically the inaccuracies in my previous addresses : PREVIOUS ADDRESS : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX PREVIOUS ADDRESS : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX These errors have exacted a heavy toll on my financial stability and emotional well-being. My sincere hope is that by addressing these issues, we can restore fairness, accuracy, and justice to my credit history. 

I implore you to take swift and decisive action on my behalf, ensuring that the credit reporting agencies and creditors involved comply with the law and rectify these violations. My family 's future and my emotional well-being hang in the balance. 

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to upholding consumer protection laws and ensuring equitable credit reporting practices. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation