Consumer complaint received 2021-11-27
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA
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: Investigation took more than 30 days

Complaint:
A Debt validation letter was sent to the company and they provided insufficient information to validate the debt. A dispute was made to the the company via certified mail as well as with the credit reporting agencies. The company in question made a response that they would provide me with further information and are changing information on my credit report as to buy more time as the debt being validated. They can not produce the information in the timely manner as reflected in the FDCPA. Also changing incorrect information with to reflect how they want things reported on my credit report as validated can be considered a violation of the FDCPA & FCRA. Also this company has violated XXXX XXXX reporting acts as well as UCC. They are past their time bared period and this blatant defamation could result in fines and damages per each violation of the FDCPA. They have also contacted my family members of this debt in the past not to acquire a location, but to discuss the debt in question and a record has been kept by XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX and others they have reached out to this is a violation of the FDCPA 804. Acquisition of location information ( b ) Communication with third parties Except as provided in section 1692b of this title, without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a postjudgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate, in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector. 

After numerous attempts to rectify what is is inaccurate reporting they continue to report unvalidated erroneous information on my credit report as validated. A certified letter has been sent to inform me as to how they validate my debt and no response has been given. They have numerous occasions either changed/corrected their errors on my credit report instead of removing the erroneous information that has been reported. Pursuant to the FDCPA 807. False or misleading representations A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section : ( 1 ) The false representation or implication that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States or any State, including the use of any badge, uniform, or facsimile thereof.

( 2 ) The false representation of -- ( A ) the character, amount, or legal status of any debt; or ( B ) any services rendered or compensation which may be lawfully received by any debt collector for the collection of a debt.

( 3 ) The false representation or implication that any individual is an attorney or that any communication is from an attorney.

( 4 ) The representation or implication that nonpayment of any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of any property or wages of any person unless such action is lawful and the debt collector or creditor intends to take such action.

( 5 ) The threat to take any action that can not legally be taken or that is not intended to be taken.

( 6 ) The false representation or implication that a sale, referral, or other transfer of any interest in a debt shall cause the consumer to -- ( A ) lose any claim or defense to payment of the debt; or ( B ) become subject to any practice prohibited by this subchapter.

( 7 ) The false representation or implication that the consumer committed any crime or other conduct in order to disgrace the consumer.

( 8 ) Communicating or threatening to communicate to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed.

( 9 ) The use or distribution of any written communication which simulates or is falsely represented to be a document authorized, issued, or approved by any court, official, or agency of the United States or any State, or which creates a false impression as to its source, authorization, or approval.

( 10 ) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer.

( 11 ) The failure to disclose in the initial written communication with the consumer and, in addition, if the initial communication with the consumer is oral, in that initial oral communication, that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose, and the failure to disclose in subsequent communications that the communication is from a debt collector, except that this paragraph shall not apply to a formal pleading made in connection with a legal action.

( 12 ) The false representation or implication that accounts have been turned over to innocent purchasers for value.

( 13 ) The false representation or implication that documents are legal process.

( 14 ) The use of any business, company, or organization name other than the true name of the debt collector 's business, company, or organization.

( 15 ) The false representation or implication that documents are not legal process forms or do not require action by the consumer.

( 16 ) The false representation or implication that a debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency as defined by section 1681a ( f ) of this title.

15 USC 1692f 808. Unfair practices A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section : ( 1 ) The collection of any amount ( including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation ) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law. 

( 2 ) The acceptance by a debt collector from any person of a check or other payment instrument postdated by more than five days unless such person is notified in writing of the debt collector 's intent to deposit such check or instrument not more than ten nor less than three business days prior to such deposit.

( 3 ) The solicitation by a debt collector of any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument for the purpose of threatening or instituting criminal prosecution.

( 4 ) Depositing or threatening to deposit any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument prior to the date on such check or instrument.

( 5 ) Causing charges to be made to any person for communications by concealment of the true purpose of the communication. Such charges include, but are not limited to, collect telephone calls and telegram fees.

( 6 ) Taking or threatening to take any nonjudicial action to effect dispossession or disablement of property if -- ( A ) there is no present right to possession of the property claimed as collateral through an enforceable security interest ; ( B ) there is no present intention to take possession of the property ; or ( C ) the property is exempt by law from such dispossession or disablement.

( 7 ) Communicating with a consumer regarding a debt by post card.

( 8 ) Using any language or symbol, other than the debt collector 's address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram, except that a debt collector may use his business name if such name does not indicate that he is in the debt collection business.

15 USC 1692g 809. Validation of debts ( a ) Notice of debt ; contents Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing -- ( 1 ) the amount of the debt ; ( 2 ) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed ; ( 3 ) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector ; ( 4 ) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector ; and ( 5 ) a statement that, upon the consumer 's written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. 

( b ) Disputed debts If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection ( a ) of this section that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector. Collection activities and communications that do not otherwise violate this subchapter may continue during the 30-day period referred to in subsection ( a ) unless the consumer has notified the debt collector in writing that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor. Any collection activities and communication during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumers right to dispute the debt or request the name and address of the original creditor.

( c ) Admission of liability The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under this section may not be construed by any court as an admission of liability by the consumer.

( d ) Legal pleadings A communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action shall not be treated as an initial communication for purposes of subsection ( a ). 

( e ) Notice provisions The sending or delivery of any form or notice which does not relate to the collection of a debt and is expressly required by title 26, title V of Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act [ 15 U.S.C. 6801 et seq. ], or any provision of Federal or State law relating to notice of data security breach or privacy, or any regulation prescribed under any such provision of law, shall not be treated as an initial communication in connection with debt collection for purposes of this section. 

15 USC 1692h These items MUST be removed from the credit reporting agency since the initial 30days time limit has expired and this company should not correct the information to further report erroneous information. If it was false at the time of the initial validation the the item should be removed not corrected. This would be a conflict of interest between lenders, consumers and credit reporting agencies and steps should be taken to allow consumers to have faith and fairness in credit reporting agencies and lenders. 

I have attached all copies of what has been sent to the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX of XXXX an my complaint is also a timestamp as to the 15 days that you have to provide me with all the information request to validated my debt appropriately.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation