Consumer complaint received 2023-01-16
Company: NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
State: FL
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:
XX/XX/2023 Navy Federal XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, VA XXXX In my very first letter to XXXX, I stated : I recently pulled my credit report and noticed the negative items you listed. I have been a victim of fraud, and I believe these are the accounts that continue to harass me every single day. There was a total of four ( 4 ) letters sent to XXXX, requesting verification of said items. It is now a total of five ( 5 ) times, requesting that they send me ANY verification that these said items are mine. You, as the data furnisher, continue to report these harmful items on my credit report, and I am simply asking that you send me what you are sending XXXX. They continue to violate federal law, repeating the same response each and every time, verifying items, without sending me verification. Is this how a consumer must be treated? XXXX reports information that you provided them. I dispute the information, XXXX  contacts you. Navy Federal has the option to send me the same documentation ( verification ) you sent to XXXX, and then XXXX could send me said verification as well. In this case, and in every previous case, Navy Federal Credit Union sent items to XXXX, and then XXXX proceeded to report back to me that the items listed are complete and accurate, without sending me ANY type of verification. Please help me understand this : A thief is able to use my identity, I make a complaint against it, there are laws protecting me, data furnishers are aware of said laws, the company says I still own these items without providing me any documentation these items are indeed mine. Now the thief goes free, and I am to bear the burden of unverified items? I am to blindly trust that you and XXXX are reporting accurate information? WHO is verifying these items? Are you and XXXX business together? It appears as so. 

I will post the law once again, as it clearly states in the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681 : 611 ( 5 ) Treatment of Inaccurate or Unverifiable Information ( A ) In general. If, after any reinvestigation under paragraph ( 1 ) of any information disputed by a consumer, an item of the information is found to be inaccurate or incomplete or can not be verified, the consumer reporting agency shall ( i ) promptly delete that item of information from the file of the consumer, or modify that item of information, as appropriate, based on the results of the reinvestigation; and ( ii ) promptly notify the furnisher of that information that the information has been modified or deleted from the file of the consumer. 

Once again, XXXX is stating in every response, this has been VERIFIED, WITHOUT providing ME with verification! In my tedious process of trying to receive the verified information being reported, I had to send the last four ( 4 ) digits of my Social Security Number, a copy of my license, a utility bill, a proof of address form, and a notarized document, which was tracked, insured and shipped via United States Postal Service. If you can understand the context, I had to do this four times, incurring fees each time, to prove I am who I say I am. Yet, I am not able to receive ANY form of document in return, that would show verification that I incurred said items listed on my credit report? It is not my duty to list the type of verification I am requesting from Navy Federal, because frankly, I dont know what to look for! This is why I am asking for at least something, showing this is indeed mine! 

According to CFPBs Rules and policy, found on their website as of XX/XX/2023 : The CFPB implements and enforces federal consumer financial laws to ensure that all consumers have access to markets for consumer financial products and services that are fair, transparent, and competitive. This is unfair because this company refuses to be transparent without providing me with ANY documentation said items are indeed mine. Their repetitious responses include, but not limited to : The data furnisher responded and verified that the disputed information was accurate as reported. Nowhere, and not once in their responses, have they provided me with any documents to verify! XXXX is reporting back to me the same information that can easily be seen by a consumer ( me ) on data furnishing websites such as ; XXXX XXXX XXXX. I can not stress this enough, that is NOT verification! Navy Federal continues to violate federal law, by furnishing unverifiable data, when they have assumed a vital role in assembling and evaluating consumer credit and other information to a consumer such as me. 

The law clearly states : 602. Congressional findings and statement of purpose [ 15 U.S.C. 1681 ] ( a ) Accuracy and fairness of credit reporting. The Congress makes the following findings : ( 1 ) The banking system is dependent upon fair and accurate credit reporting. Inaccurate credit reports directly impair the efficiency of the banking system, and unfair credit reporting methods undermine the public confidence which is essential to the continued functioning of the banking system.

( 2 ) An elaborate mechanism has been developed for investigating and evaluating the credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, and general reputation of consumers.

( 3 ) Consumer reporting agencies have assumed a vital role in assembling and evaluating consumer credit and other information on consumers. 
( 4 ) There is a need to insure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumers right to privacy.

( b ) Reasonable procedures. It is the purpose of this title to require that consumer reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the requirements of this title. 

According to CFPBs Enforce section, found on your website as of XX/XX/2023, you state the following : We take action against predatory companies and practices that violate the law and have already returned billions of dollars to harmed consumers. Navy Federal is in clear violation of multiple laws and I am asking for help, on what else to do, because companies ( XXXX and Navy Federal ) are refusing to provide me with verification. This attempt would be number six ( 6 ), that I have requested fair, transparent, impartial, & respectful service, yet I have not received it in any form. I am asking that you promptly delete these items of information from my file, based on the results of the reinvestigation and promptly notify me ( or CFPB first, and then to me ) of that information, that the information has been deleted from my file. 

I demand the following accounts be verified or removed immediately : NAVY FEDERAL CR UNION XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX NAVY FEDERAL CR UNION XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX NAVY FEDERAL CR UNION XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation