Consumer complaint received 2018-01-28
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NC
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 reviewed my credit report and I saw an entry from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), a collection agency. I contacted XXXX demanding validation for proof of their entry on my credit per the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX received my validation letter ; Certified Mail # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ; return receipt request ( RRR ) from United States Postal Service. On XX/XX/XXXX, they responded saying they received my correspondence. They also stated they were only licensed to collect in Texas. However, they did not validate nor verify the debt. A representative, XXXX XXXX XXXX, stated firsthand, they had verification of the debt and the company had legal standing. After reading her correspondence, I researched XXXX on NC Department of Insurance ( NCDOI ) License Services website and found they didnt have a permit to do business in the State of North Carolina. Afterwards, I called the ( NCDOI ) Agent Services Division ( ASD ) onXX/XX/XXXX and instituted an investigation regarding XXXX. I stated what I found, while the XXXX XXXX XXXX researched for me to double check my information. She came back stating she could not locate a permit # for XXXX but would need to do a full investigation since I requested certain specifics on company letterhead for my situation. Once the investigation was complete, she would write me back with a company response. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter from NCDOI ASD Agent XXXX XXXX stating that they were doing an investigation and will contact me after their findings. The reference number for the case is ASD file # XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I notified Equifax with this new information and dispute evidence. I also demanded a Method of Verification per the Federal Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 609 & 611 as to how they conducted their investigation. I was confused on if I couldnt  obtain this type of information, then how was Equifax able to verify this debt. I also asked validation questions as well. They responded with another letter stating they verified everything and updated the information in my file. I reviewed this canned response and found it lacking and it included nothing I requested or asked for. They did not fulfill their obligation per FCRA 609 & 611. OnXX/XX/XXXX I received a letter from NCDOI ASD, stating that XXXX was not licensed to do business in the state of North Carolina until it secures a permit. They were found to be in violation of N.C.G.S. 58-70-1. Which is a Class 1 Felony. In addition, they are in violation of the FDCPA, FCRA, NC General Statutes & US Federal Statutes as it pertains to my situation outlined in my letter.  Thereafter, I forwarded all the information that I received from the NCDOI and my dispute evidence I gathered to Equifax. Equifax wrote back stating they were still able to verify this debt on my credit. With insurmountable NC state evidence supplied to them and Federal law I am still unsure how they were able to verify this. I am sure they are still using XXXX which was ruled not a fair verification tool. Also, as of XX/XX/XXXX they still are not licensed and yet Equifax continues to place this on my credit report.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation