Consumer complaint received 2021-10-12
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: Account information incorrect

Complaint:
In XXXX of XXXX, I pulled my Equifax credit report. upon reviewing my report, I notice some inaccuracies and erroneous accounts that were on there. I immediately sent a letter to Equifax informing them of these issues and asking that they verify these accounts with a signed contract or an original instrument of indebtedness, as is required by law. I also pointed out, in forensic detail, many errors and inaccuracies from what they were reporting as compared to what was being reported by the other bureaus. As they know, there must be standardized reporting between the credit reporting agencies and, according to the F.A.C.T.A. amendment to the FCRA, all things reported must be 100 % accurate. They responded that these accounts were verified, even though they provided no contracts or explanation as to how they verified these items. Furthermore, they failed to address why there is inaccurate information reported on these accounts. I followed up by sending a letter asking how they could have verified these accounts, only for them to give a similar response. In my third letter, I asked them to show me how they verified these items, but they deleted a couple of things and still would not provide me with signed contracts or proper verification. at this point, I decided to reach out to these collectors and creditors myself, and they were not able to validate these accounts. I sent Equifax proof that these collectors could not validate the alleged debts within a 30 day period, as required by law, but, even with proof, Equifax refused to comply with the law and remove these accounts. I am going to attach my credit report with the items in question highlighted to show how egregious these violations are and to show that many of these items should have never been allowed on my reports in the first place. For the account XXXX XXXX, Equifax reports the first date of delinquency as XX/XX/XXXX. However, on the same report, under payments, it shows the first 30 day late in XX/XX/XXXX. How can this be? Also, between the months of XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX, the days late jumps from 120 days late to 30 days late. How is that possible? Another issue is that, with XXXX, the first 30 day late is reported in XX/XX/XXXX. All of these dates can not possibly be correct. This, coupled with the fact that there is no signed contract, shows that this account is clearly in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. When I pointed this out to Equifax, this should have been an easy fix, but, somehow, this account was verified? For the account XXXX XXXX, the report shows the date of first delinquency as XX/XX/XXXX. However, the same report clearly shows the first delinquent 30 day late was reported in XX/XX/XXXX. Which one is correct? Also, On the XXXX credit report, it shows the first 30 day late as XX/XX/XXXX. On XXXX, it shows 30 days late in XX/XX/XXXX. Which one of these 4 dates is the correct date of first delinquency? Equifax has also failed to produce a contract for this account. For the account XXXX XXXX, the date of delinquency is reported in XXXX of XXXX. However, there is no history of any kind reported before XXXX, so how could they know when or if this account was ever delinquent? When was it allegedly 30 days late? When was it allegedly 60 days late? When was it 90 days late? Was this account ever late? Did this account ever exist? There is no information that reported to substantiate any of these questions. The fact that there is no contract for this account and there is no information about the history or validity of this account, not only should this account be deleted, but it should also have never been allowed to be reported in the first place. For the account XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, I have sent them in letter to validate this alleged debt. They failed to respond within 30 days, so, this account should have been deleted immediately. Equifax refused to do so. This account is a medical debt, and I suspect that the reason that I have received no response is that there may have been some violation of HIPPA concerning this alleged debt. According to law, any sharing of medical information to a third-party collection agency must be authorized by a signed third-party consent form. Equifax or XXXX XXXX has provided me with this document that is required for them to even see someone's medical information, let alone attempt to collect on it or report it on a credit file. Violation of my HIPPA rights by Equifax may constitute a criminal violation of my rights. For the account XXXX XXXX XXXX, the account is listed as " closed '' status on Equifax but " open '' with the other bureaus. which status is correct? Equifax has failed to produce a contract for this account, as well. These violations of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are clear and obvious. Equifax has been provided incontrovertible evidence of these violations, but they have boldly expressed that they have no intention to comply with the law. They have conducted 4 investigations over the course of 7 months and have produces no documentation that would verify these accounts.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation