Consumer complaint received 2021-07-20
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NJ
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Account status incorrect

Complaint:
While I requested DO NOT CONTACT and it was acknowledged by XXXX, it was not adhered to. Please ensure - it is adhered to. 

Please ensure that you ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) REPORT to the CRAs any details that need to be communicated, corrected or resolved. 

I am XXXX XXXX, and I am the author of this dispute. This is NOT a Duplicate complaint, please do not flag it as such. I am not a Credit Repair Organization, nor am I using one I just love the data. 

The screenshots/attachments/data within this complaint - are pulled directly from XXXX and MyEquifax.com with my PII data validated and ensured, for verification and for access to my own, Credit Reports. 

This complaint is a bit long, and detailed, with some technical details within it. Its also discoverable. All the companies within this complaint have an IT team, and developers that created/managed the integrations, built/build or maintain the systems or load the files from Data Furnishers. There is an existing complaint against XXXX  ( XXXX  ), and the complaint number is XXXX-XXXX That complaint - if read, is/was not a simple request of Validation of Debt, it was in detail, and specific to a complaint to XXXX  XXXX ( XXXX  ), and its compliance with Metro2, and its standards - and, then FCRA/FDCPA. While XXXX did make traceable changes in my records at the CRA, they also said that there was nothing wrong, and that they believed that everything was correct. 

I am not able to be the middleman. I do not own the data, integrate it, load it or report on it. That stream of activity that occurs, is in fact that of XXXX and Equifax. When there is an error at least in SDLC and then the rules that govern Consumer Data/Data Furnishers/CRAs Requirements through to Expected Results, are defined. When they are defined, they are the rules. 

I am pasting below, the responsibilities as a Data Furnisher - I am relying on - XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX For Federal Law - Definition of a Creditor and then a Debt Collector, I am relying on - 803 ( 4 ) and ( 6 ) https : //www.ftc.gov/enforcement/rules/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text THIS complaint is against XXXX  ( Data Furnisher ) - and, then Equifax ( CRA ) for this line item on my Equifax Report has created this dispute of both FACRA and FDCPA compliance, although there are more XXXX Because the ACCOUNT NUMBER is BLANK on the report from Equifax - XXXX, Open Date XX/XX/21 and Reported Balance XXXX, are the identifiers. Screen shots in the attachment - is also provided. 

This is one complaint, one record, one CRA ( Equifax ). 

There are more, by record, by CRA ( XXXX, XXXX, EQ, XXXX  ) that will be filed. 

It is not a Verification/Validation of Debt, please be so kind as to not treat as such. If in fact an attachment is needed to demonstrate any details of your response I ask that you simply ensure your reporting accurately reflects it as only I can see the letter. The report as you know, is visible to all interested/qualified entities. 
If you can not resolve the issue please be so kind as to delete your record. 

XXXX  as the Data Furnisher has a responsibility to ensure its own datas accuracy. Equifax, as the CRA your responsibility is to ensure it is accurate. Your systems, processes and reporting partnered with the Data Furnisher s actual data is creating an egregious result for consumers. Understanding this and because I am neither the owner of the data, nor the system that receives and produces scores, reports and views of/from this data It is ultimately up to you both. Data Furnisher CRA. To ensure what is sent, is your/the expected result. 

I am attaching a detailed XXXX XXXX  - highlighting where the issues are, and I am also attaching the Metro2 specification with the Debt Collector section called out. ***The Header/Footer details in a Metro2, are not specific or keyed, on/to a consumer and are then n/a.

This document, maps the Metro2 Fields specified for a Debt Collector to a COLLECTION ( 10. ) Section in Equifax. Imbedded, are a pdf, and then the text from the Metro2 guide. This document then, shares the XXXX Record as a comparison. logically laid out in the spreadsheet Tabs. 

XXXX and/or Equifax can decide how to resolve this but the data is from XXXX and produced by Equifax. Its wholly misleading, malicious and powerful If I can see it, you all know. 
There is not an escape button and it has been going on for years. 

Equifax /XXXX  1. XXXX XXXX - is not a Creditor/Lender. 
2. XXXX XXXX is a Debt Collector 3. XXXX XXXX is reporting as a Creditor/Lender, with attributes they are directed NOT to send ( See Bonus XXXX  Tab and 5. Collections vs. 10. XXXX Tab ) 4. XXXX Data sent on their files, are outside of Metro2 Standard ( See Metro2 Mapped DC Tab ).

5. Equifax has a Dedicated Section, for COLLECTION ( See 5. Collections vs. 10. XXXX XXXX ) 6. That Section Labeled, Described and Published, by Equifax - defines it usage for Debt Collectors.

7. That Section is 10.

8. The fields are consistent with Metro2 Guidelines when mapped to the accounts.

9. I have mapped it its attached, on the Metro Mapped DC Tab 10. Equifax has a Dedicated Section, for Accounts, Tradelines of Creditors and Lenders 11. That Section Labeled, Described and Published, by Equifax -defines it usage for Creditors/Lenders 12. Equifax - is loading this data 14. Equifax is also publishing this data - for all to see 15. Equifax - if you are the gate keeper, you allow the Trojan Horse to walk right in 16. Even if EQ says this is an expected result - the TRADELINE is INCOMPLETE, and wholly INNACURATE 17. 5.7, says 5.7 XXXX XXXX XXXX ( CLOSED ) 18. The Account is not CLOSED 19. Should XXXX say it is, where is the Date Closed/Activity Designator that is Required of this TYPE of Account? 
20. Then There is no Account Number source Annual Credit Report.com 21. Account Status as per Metro2 this is an INVALID Value.

22. Debt to Credit Ratio, Available Credit, Balance, Pay and Rating History - Can not apply to a Debt Collector as Per Metro2 and, law as their is no CONTRACT 23. Almost every field in the Account Details, can never Apply to a Debt Collector a. Loan Type Can not Apply As Per Metro 2 b. When reporting in this section Creditor Classification is allowing this XXXX XXXX record, to report as a Bank Card - Creditor c. Equifax because you are allowing it its then so impactful, even when paid- the damage is for the duration of the tradeline.

d. Your algorithms pick this up it can be demonstrated There is so much more to whats occurring. 
If it is happening to me its happening to all and is systematic. 

This took me a while to figure out but, now I get it. 

I hope everyone else does/will get it too.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation