Consumer complaint received 2020-09-16
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: PA
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: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report

Complaint:
I have made repeated attempts to resolve this matter with Equifax. 

Attempt XXXX XX/XX/2020, I submitted a dispute letter regarding information that XXXX XXXX XXXX   XXXX XXXX provided to Equifax Information Services LLC. In such correspondence, I stated that [ t ] his was a Business Credit Card for which I am not personally responsible. I specifically requested that I be provided with evidence of personal responsibility or remove this from my report. I received investigation results dated XX/XX/2020. The results were non-responsive to the issue outlined in my dispute. 

1. Under the section captioned Answers To Your Questions, Equifax replied : * In reference to your question regarding the financial responsibility of your exspouse : You have indicated that certain accounts are involved in a divorce decree and are the responsibility of another party. Please be aware that a divorce decree does not supersede the original contract with the creditor and does not release you from legal responsibility on any accounts. You must contact each creditor individually and seek their legal binding release of your obligation. Only after that release can your credit history be updated accordingly. 

I did not allege that it was the responsibility of an ex-spouse. Instead, I clearly stated that it was a business debt for which I am not personally responsible. This response, referring to an ex-spouse, leads me to believe that Equifax did not investigate whether I provided a personal guarantee for business debt. 

2. Under the section captioned Notice to Consumers, it states that [ y ] ou may request a description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information, including the business name and address of the furnisher of information contacted, and if reasonably available the telephone number. 

My XX/XX/2020 letter specifically requested such information. Equifaxs response advising me to ask for information that I already asked in my initial correspondence suggests that either Equifax did not read my letter or chose not to comply. 

Attempt 2 On XX/XX/2020, I made a second request, which pointed out that Equifax did not correctly address my XX/XX/XXXX dispute letter. The XX/XX/XXXX letter also requested that Equifax provide me with information and documentation regarding its investigation. 
In response to my XX/XX/XXXX letter, I received investigation results dated XX/XX/2020, stating, " We have researched the credit account. Account # The results are : We verified that this item belongs to you. 

Once again, I did not receive information about the investigation or evidence that I guaranteed this business debt. 

Attempt 3 I called Equifax repeatedly on or about XX/XX/2020. Equifax phone system sent me through a series of voice prompts, and repeatedly disconnect. I was unable to speak to a live agent. 

Attempt 4 I spoke to a live agent on XX/XX/2020, who advised me that there was nothing further that she could do. When I declared that my next step was to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the agent told me that I was free to do so. 

I have spent hours writing letters to Equifax and calling Equifax in attempts to get Equifax to compliant with the Fair Crediting Reporting Act. Neither party has provided me with the information requested. Plus, I have incurred expenses and travel time to the post office sending certified mailings. 

I am applying for disaster relief funding ( which is time sensitive ), and would like to have this matter resolved promptly as it negatively impacts my credit score. My original dispute was filed on XX/XX/2020.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation