Consumer complaint received 2019-09-12
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: Account information incorrect

Complaint:
In XX/XX/XXXX, I was contacted by XXXX XXXX via telephone, regarding an account, about which I had no knowledge. I immediately informed them that the account must be a mistake or error and requested that they verify the validity/origin of the debt. Initially, the operator I spoke with couldn't tell me much about the alleged debt, except the original source - XXXX XXXX XXXX. I explained that not only did I not owe XXXX XXXX anything, but I actually never got my deposit back from them when I previously moved out of my apartment, so if anything, they owe me some money. I said this in a phone call they recorded the very first time I was contacted by them. The operator went over after-move-out charges with me, that totaled less than my security deposit and when I pointed out that this might've been where the arithmetic error occurred ( perhaps turning a negative number to positive, I'm not sure ). I was informed that " there must be more charges somewhere. '' Well, I again asked that they verify and validate that in writing with me. I sent my request in writing and what I received back from XXXX XXXX was merely a copy of the document acknowledging that I do not owe any money. Rather, I am owed money. This math has been stated by XXXX XXXX, and confirmed in writing by their own documentation, which I have included here. Yet they are still saying that I owe them money. Again, individual operators have admitted to me that the math doesnt add up, but they still continued on with saying that I owe money. Page 2 of the attached document that I received from XXXX XXXX shows my security deposit in the amount of {$530.00}, and after-move-out charges in the amount of {$63.00} for countertop replacement, {$48.00} for painting and {$200.00} for rent ( {$310.00} total ), I am owed {$210.00}. I have twice pointed this out to XXXX XXXX and have not heard anything from them in months. It has been far longer than thirty days and they have failed to verify or validate that I owe them any debt, which they are required to do according to the FCRA. They have instead demonstrated and admitted on multiple occasions that I am owed {$210.00}. Therefore, this account is fraudulent and should not be on my credit report and I ask that it be removed immediately. 


When I contacted Equifax about this issue to submit an official dispute, they did not complete an actual investigation, and didnt even wait for the documentation I had for them to arrive before completing their version of an Investigation ( the online system wasnt working so I had to submit via USPS ). When I asked them about the document, the representatives had no idea that there was any documentation, even though they had the documents, they just never associated it with my account. So I submitted a second dispute, as instructed by Equifax dispute specialist managers in XX/XX/XXXX, but after more than 30 days, I have not heard anything from Equifax about the new dispute and the account is still on my credit report as of Thursday, XX/XX/XXXX. 


When I spoke to Managers and supervisors at Equifax, I was informed that they have no power over what goes into my credit report and that they dont add or remove anything, even after given evidence that whats in there is fraudulent. I was told that the company reporting it to them has the final word because they would know best. But I have to believe that if I were someone more powerful and not just some guy, that it wouldve already been removed. 

And on a more global note, most of the US economy is based on the idea that whats in these credit reports is about as accurate as it can be, within reason. So for Equifax to turn around and say that it doesnt fix things or take them out and just does whatever the party who listed it says is ridiculous. Equifax is not XXXX. It needs to be held to a much higher standard!

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief