Consumer complaint received 2020-09-15
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA
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:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email alert that my credit rating had changed. I logged in and saw that there was a XXXX Checking Plus Loan account that had past due payments. I had no idea about this account and have not made any late payments on any of my personal accounts. I have one XXXX credit account that is fully paid ( and authorized as I applied for it ). I called Equifax to see if this was an error and was told no it's valid on my account and I disputed this. 

I next called the XXXX phone # on the report and was bounced around from departments as no one could give me information as I did not have account info. I gave them my Social Security and they still could not help me so I went into the XXXX branch at XXXX XXXX XXXX # XXXX and asked to speak to a person. The man I spoke with said I was on a joint account with my mother, owed {$7700.00} and was several months past due. Since this was the first I ever heard of this joint loan he suggested I send a letter to validate debt to the bank ( which I mailed via certified mail on XX/XX/XXXX ). 

I then contacted my mother and she would not tell me how I got on this account ( I do recall she had me added for 'emergencies ' to a XXXX checking and savings account - no loan or credit cards were ever authorized by me under my name ). I then told her she needs to pay this loan off immediately as I'm being penalized and after threat of legal action she wrote a check to XXXX which I picked up and paid off the full amount in the XXXX # XXXX on Monday, XX/XX/XXXX. At that time, I also asked that a statement showing the account was paid off and closed be sent to me at my address since I am being held responsible for this debt ( which is different from my mothers ). I provided my address. I also asked to speak to a manager if there was a way to get the negative credit off my account since I never authorized/knew of a joint loan and also collected the money due to pay off this account. I was told no one could speak to me and to come back. So I went back to the same branch on Wednesday, XX/XX/XXXX and was again told no one was available to speak with me and then made an appointment to speak to the branch manager on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX I spoke with the Branch Manager of # XXXX and explained my issues ( clearing my credit report, getting a copy of the account being closed from Monday and also information/copies of how/when I was added to a joint credit account without my knowledge ). She said it looked like someone signed for it at a branch in XXXX XXXX in XXXX and that sometimes if the customer knows a teller they will waive and accept that as authorization. I have never gone to a XXXX in XXXX XXXX XXXX or even anywhere in California as I don't bank there ) so if that is true then there was fraud on both parties by adding me to this XXXX without my knowledge or authorization. Branch Manager said she'd follow up and get back to me. 

From XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX I have not heard back or received any paperwork in the mail so I sent an email to follow up. She called me and emailed me back on XX/XX/XXXX. I unfortunately missed her call so left 3 more messages and sent another email on XX/XX/XXXX. I have exhausted all options to get information on this account from XXXX. I would like proof of signature, a copy of the loan application, and a copy that this account was paid off and closed.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation