Consumer complaint received 2017-12-19
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL
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:
This is concerning an action of fraud committed against us by the business named below. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX XXXX Representatives : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX, XXXX Some time in XXXX  2017 after being contacted by phone by a Bright Energy representative regarding a grant that would lower our electric bill we agreed to an appointment. XXXX XXXX XXXX visited our home. This was with the intent to educate us and explore the possibility of us being qualified for a government grant under the WAP ( Weatherization Assistance Program ). We assured him that we do not wish to take on any new accounts that would generate a monthly income as we were not in a financial position to acquire new bills. He assured and reassured us that this was a grant that would cost us nothing if we qualified for the full grant amount. He gathered pertinent information including our SSN and DOB. He left with the information and told us that we would be contacted later to be apprised on whether we qualified or not. 

We were called a few days later by XXXX XXXX and told that we qualified, after which an appointment was set up for us to be visited by XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX XXXX outlined how the program worked. This he explained ; was a program run by the Department of Energy and it offered full or partial grant to home owners depending on their qualification. He told us we qualified for full grant and therefore would not have to come out of pocket with any money. He also explained how the work would be paid for. He said financing would be provided through XXXX XXXX and we would need to sign some forms to allow that. We were told that we would receive the first bill from XXXX XXXX which we will then send over to XXXX XXXX XXXX, who would then set up the payment arrangement. We faxed over the first statement as advised. 

What is of great concern to us now, is that the earnings that was submitted by XXXX XXXX to XXXX XXXX to secure the loan was completely false. He enquired of our current and future potential earnings which he seems to have presented as current, in order to qualify us for the loan. When he returned with forms for us to sign we pointed out that we were not earning the sums he presented, he told us that we did not have to worry about that as we would not be paying for the work done because it would be covered by the grant. We again reiterated that we can not afford any additional payments at this time. He stressed that we did not have to pay and we were already qualified. 

XXXX XXXX paid the loan for 2 months. After the due date for the third month was passed, XXXX XXXX contacted us for payment, and we explained the fact that they were supposed to contact XXXX XXXX because they were the people who were paying it. The XXXX XXXX personnel expressed ignorance of this arrangement and informed us that there was a XXXX XXXX account attached to the account that she could take payment from. She then asked us permission to take the payment from that account, and we did give that permission on the supposition that this was the account set up by XXXX XXXX for that purpose. We proceeded to call XXXX XXXX corporate office the following day but have not been able to contact them as the number is inactive. 

Another thing we learned is that the loan was sold to XXXX XXXX XXXX, who sent us papers to that effect. They are also the one submitting information to the credit bureaus about our supposed delinquency, which is causing us so much distress. XXXX XXXX though is the manager of the loan. 

We have been in continued contact with XXXX XXXX to dispute and to get contact information on XXXX XXXX XXXX but is getting nowhere with our efforts. They are only insisting that we signed a contract that we have to abide by. They avoided questions about their relationship with XXXX XXXX. We now know from information given us by XXXX XXXX XXXX that he brought them some 200 clients under the same program as us. 

I eventually made contact with XXXX XXXX who has been very apologetic and cooperative. He said he had not been able to make contact with them either, and they disappeared owning him money. He himself said he was fully convinced that this was something legitimate but has since then realize that this was a scam. He revealed that we were not the only ones adversely affected by this scheme. He had made contact with about 200 people who signed on to the program presented to them, some of whom have made contact with him with similar complaints as mine. He told me that all these peoples project was financed by XXXX XXXX. He promised to help in any way he can. 

The adverse effect on us is that our credit scores have plunged over 200 points. This has led to higher interest rates, cut in our available credit and higher cost on credit based products. 

What we were told, is that we qualified for this program because we are on fixed income. The income we receive would not allow us to take on any huge debt such as this one for {$10000.00}. My wife is the only one receiving XXXX XXXX XXXX income along with a stipend for providing personal care for me. I am XXXX and XXXX XXXX and do not at this time qualify for any sort of income. This is why the situation we are in is so dire. 

Please see how you can help us in this situation. We are seriously concerned about or credit situation and possible legal action taken against us by XXXX XXXX. We would greatly appreciate any help we receive from your department to remedy this situation. 

Sincerely yours, XXXX and XXXX XXXX NB : Attached are some relevant documents.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation