Consumer complaint received 2020-10-31
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: IN
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 do not owe any debt to my prior landlord ( XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I paid my rent in full and on time and provided notice of my intent to vacate the property per the terms of my lease at the end of my lease term. I did not cause any damage to this apartment. In this instance, my prior landlord is engaging in extortion, using intimidation and threats to compel me to pay money that I do not owe. I was referred to a collection agency XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and this debt has damaged my credit score. This debt has been pursued for several years even as I have filed disputes. I have attempted to communicate with XXXX XXXX XXXX. My mail was returned because XXXX XXXX XXXX moved and left no forwarding address. I sent my communications to the address XXXX XXXX XXXX provided the credit bureaus and includes on their correspondence to me. XXXX XXXX XXXX is being intentionally evasive. It should also be noted that XXXX XXXX XXXX is not a reputable company as they have at least 963 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaints ( mostly for improper debt collection practices ). XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX has not provided any proof or documentation of damages ( including requested photographs, repair costs and invoices for repair services or materials ). I filed a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General, XXXX XXXX XXXX and various other consumer affairs agencies when this debt was initially pursued in 2015. Pursuit of this debt constitutes fraud and harassment by my former landlord. I have attempted to work with Equifax to have this item removed from my credit report utilizing the dispute process and have provided ample evidence that I do not owe this money. Including this debt on my credit report violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act as this debt is inaccurate and unverifiable. As XXXX and XXXX can not prove damages, I do not believe my credit should be harmed. Equifax is not doing proper due diligence to ensure the accuracy of my report. My report is a vital financial resource and damage to it creates great economic implications for me. I will file suit against my prior landlord and name Equifax in that suit if they fail to promptly remove this item from my credit report. Pursuit of this debt constitutes fraud and harassment by my former landlord and Equifax is complicit in that harassment given the validity their agency attributes to this debt by listing it on my report. Please note, I am an attorney. My damages are documentable and factual as I am attempting to purchase a home and including this item on my report damages my credit thus increasing my interest rate. Please note, I have also filed a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaint against XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX complaint # XXXX ).

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation