Consumer complaint received 2023-01-21
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: IL
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:
To Whom it May Concern, I am writing to file a complaint against XXXX XXXX for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Specifically, XXXX XXXX reported a collection to the consumer reporting agency that they never actually collected, after I had already made payment to XXXX  ( Regarding Policy number : XXXX ) for the amount of {$94.00}. On Tue, XX/XX/2021, at XXXX XXXX, I made a payment to XXXX for a past due balance of {$94.00}. This payment was made to fulfill esurance company 's requirement before purchasing a new car policy ( Policy number : XXXX ). The requirement was to pay any past-due balance before the issuance of the new policy. Which I did in the specified amount, day, and time above. You can verify these facts by calling the XXXX customer service center at XXXX ( XXXX ). 

Therefore, I am absolutely confident that XXXX XXXX can not provide a date and transaction ID for this transaction, as it was paid by me, directly to XXXX, right before I purchased a new car policy ( on Tue, XX/XX/2021, XXXX XXXX  ; Policy number : XXXX ) from XXXX. At this time, XXXX  did not disclose or mention that the account had been acquired by a collections agency. Additionally, if the account had already been acquired by XXXXXXXX XXXX, XXXX  would not have directly taken payment. Neither had XXXX XXXX communicated with me before this date and payment, about the acquisition of my account. 

Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ), " A person shall not furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if the person knows or consciously avoids knowing that the information is inaccurate. '' This section prohibits collection agencies from knowingly reporting false information about a consumer to a consumer reporting agency. XXXX XXXX is in violation of this section by reporting false information about me to a consumer reporting agency. 

Furthermore, 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ) of the FCRA specifically pertains to the responsibilities of CRAs in the event of a disputed credit report. If a consumer disputes the accuracy of the information in their credit report, the CRA must investigate the dispute within a reasonable period of time and if the investigation finds that the information is inaccurate, the CRA must promptly delete or correct the information. 

I respectfully request the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to investigate this matter and take appropriate action against XXXX XXXX for its violations of the FCRA. I request the CFPB to require an update of my report to reflect the accurate and verifiable information and request the deletion of any information relating to any outdated information being reported. I further request XXXX XXXX to facilitate me with a copy of any changes to my report pertaining to this complaint. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation