Consumer complaint received 2021-05-01
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: PA
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:
In XXXX, XXXX, I received a copy of my free credit report. I have been working hard to build up and maintain good credit. My goal was to make sure I was in a position to start looking for my first house. According to my credit report, at that time, the account that I am filing this complaint about was in good standing. 

I opened an auto account with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX. The car that I purchased with this loan was totaled in an accident within the same month. I continued to make monthly payments, as well as paying extra each month. I was contacted by XXXX XXXX XXXX via phone in XX/XX/XXXX. They said they because the car was declared a total loss, they expected full payment immediately. I explained that I did not have the full amount and I asked if I could pay a lesser amount if I agreed to have it paid off before the end of that year. They agreed to accept a settlement to be paid over the next three months, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. Roughly 30 days after they received and posted my third and final payment, as agreed, I was sent the title for the vehicle. 

When I received my credit report in XXXX of this year, XXXX there were no issues with this account. As of XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX, the credit furnisher continued to change the information reporting to the credit bureaus regarding this account. On XX/XX/XXXX, I submitted a dispute to the credit bureaus. This account was listed on the dispute as reporting incorrect derogatory information. 

As of today, XX/XX/XXXX, I received an alert that this account is now reporting new derogatory information. XXXX XXXX XXXX has now changed the account status to paid settlement on a charged off account. This account was NEVER late and NEVER charged off!!! My credit score dropped over 70 points today ( XX/XX/XXXX ) due to this false reporting. I immediately called XXXX XXXX XXXX at the phone number listed on my credit report. I called at XXXX XXXX  and spoke to someone named XXXX ( I spelled it out and he said that was correct ). I was told to file a dispute with the credit bureaus. I explained that me filing the dispute last month is what led to them to report even more derogatory and incorrect information. I then asked to be escalated to a higher department or someone who handles these types of issues. After another 25 minutes, and being placed on hold twice, I was told I would have to call back on Monday XX/XX/XXXX to speak with someone. I advised XXXX that I would be filing a CFPB complaint and if need be, I will seek legal counsel to file a lawsuit. He said he would make a note of that. 

I can not afford, financially or timewise, to file disputes every month. Then, wait thirty days to see if the information will be corrected. This account was NEVER charged off and this whole ordeal should have never happened in the first place. I am in the process of purchasing my first home. and already applied for a mortgage. I was approved and submitted an offer yesterday XX/XX/XXXX, but my credit will be pulled again prior to closing on the mortgage. And, most importantly, I have a job where my credit and my reputation is a VERY important factor in my employment. 

I am asking that this matter is thoroughly investigated and proper measures are taken so that this company can not continue to report reckless and false information without regard to the consumer and without repercussions to them. I 100 % feel that XXXX XXXX reported this false and very damaging information in retaliation for my initial dispute. 

Thank you!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation