Consumer complaint received 2020-05-06
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: DC
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Information belongs to someone else

Complaint:
I have tried to dispute a derogatory entry on my credit report on three separate times with Experian, providing them clear documentation validating the reasons for why the information should be deleted. The entry states that I owe {$2500.00} to XXXX. I first disputed the account in XXXX of XXXX when the debt was first reported by a collection agency called XXXX XXXX. It was removed but then reoccurred on my credit report last month ( XX/XX/XXXX ) under a new collection agency called XXXX XXXX. 

Once again, I disputed the account with Experian, via the Dispute Center on their website. This time, I received an update on the investigation within a week that the information was accurate and remains unchanged. I then uploaded documentation that invalidated their information, as well as proof that I sent this documentation via certified mail and proof of its delivery confirmation, and Experian once again responded within three days reaffirming their earlier position. 

I am left with zero resolution and this has caused a considerable amount of damage to my credit report as well as to my livelihood. 

The original issue here is that I had a cellphone on an account shared with my mother. Her name is listed on the account as the account holder and my name was only on the account for Caller ID purposes, not for any billing purposes. We shared the same home address and our social security numbers are off by one digit. Someone was able to open two separate lines under the same XXXX account. 

At the time, our home was under total re-construction due to a main water pipeline that bursted in the home, making the home uninhabitable. My insurance company had relocated us to a hotel for a month, then an apartment close to my job in Maryland. Because of the logistical challenges, I wasn't regularly checking mail in Virginia and therefore, did not see notices coming to my home regarding the two phone lines. The home had contractors and builders coming in at all times of the day for several months so anyone could have had access to our mailbox, as well as sensitive paperwork that remained in the home even during the construction. 

XXXX ultimately closed the accounts and months later, the debt was placed on my credit report. Not only should it not be under my name, it should have never gone into collections as this was a case of fraud. I have since reported the identity theft to the FTC and have also supplied this information to Experian. 

I can not comprehend why they would continue to leave this harmful information on my account despite having all the information on hand to rightfully remove it. This begs the question as to whether or not they are just and diligent in their investigation process. 

Additionally, Experian has listed incorrect balance histories with each of my credit cards listed. They claimed this information has been supplied by the lender but I also contacted each of them ( XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX and XXXX ) who have stated that they submit updated information each month. However, Experian still has the wrong information listed. According to the balance history listed by Experian, my monthly payments to the credit card companies are between $ XXXX {$150.00}. This is far from accurate every month. This incorrect information hurts my ability to secure a mortgage or other important lines of credit because I am not able to demonstrate a history of paying off large balances. Another example are the student loan accounts listed with a late payment status. This is again inaccurate. They are all up to date and active. Experian has not corrected this despite uploading documentation to them that there is zero history of late payments. 

All of these issues were properly reported to Experian but I have not had any relief to date. I am now at the mercy of the CFPB to resolve this issue by removing the harmful information from my credit report.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation