Consumer complaint received 2017-02-06
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA
Product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on credit report
Sub-issue: Account status

Complaint:
This is a general complaint about the credit system. 

Too many companies can review my credit score AND report me to collection agencies, etc. 

Why should a company be able to review my credit score, discriminate me, and then report me to collections if they never add positives to my score? 

XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX check my credit to determine how much I have to pay for a phone. If I do not pay them, they will send me to collections which WILL BE on my credit report. If I pay XXXX, XXXX, or XXXX for XXXX years without ever being late XXXX XXXX time ... NOTHING. Why can they severely impact my credit score, but they do n't provide XXXX positive hit to it? 

Why is it that when I go to rent a house or apartment of some type they review my credit score then tell me they will NOT let me rent a home because of my credit? They NEVER add positive marks or raise my credit, so why can they discriminate against me with it?! 

Why is it that when I move into a new home that my utility company can review my credit to determine how much their insanely high deposit will be? Why does a utility company have a deposit in the first place? Why do they not raise my credit score, but they can send me to collections??!?!?!?! 

Why is it that I can pay for internet ( XXXX XXXX ) for years without issue, but when I miss a payment due to the company screwing up, I get sent to collections for {$130.00}?! I overpaid one time and they refunded my money, then said I owed them {$130.00}. I called to discuss and fix it 3x, and they sent me {$60.00} in the mail instead of fixing the alleged {$130.00} debt. Now I am in collections for the {$130.00} because 3 managers could n't sort it out for me. They never helped my score when I paid without issue for years. 

What is next? XXXX if our credit score is n't over XXXX?! 

This is by far one of the worst systems for this country. It is not lenient, it is not fair. It is biased for the business only and stiffs the consumer, which then makes it even harder to be a consumer. I can not get ANY ( real ) credit anywhere because I filed bankruptcy due to a bad divorce. All I qualify for are low balance, high interest + annual fee credit cards. I will never be able to own a home at this rate so I am stuck with paying higher than should be rent rates as opposed to a mortgage. 

I have been sent to collections ( Since bankruptcy ) by : XXXX ( unlawful practices, but I get hurt via my credit score ) My utility company, XXXX ( Worst company I have ever dealt with ). They charged me {$12.00} late fees for a year and refused to work with me on bill timing, then took my full deposit of {$280.00} and still claim I owe more. I am in collections for {$60.00}. Why pay them if it sits on my credit and never helps it? 
XXXX : I overpaid one month and my balance went to {$0.00} as expected. They refunded my over payment without telling me, then my balance jumped to {$130.00}. I called them at least 3x and spoke to management and everything. They could never explain what was happening with my account. Instead of resolving anything they ended up sending me a {$60.00} check. Now I am in collections. No protection for me, the consumer. XXXX could n't fix their issue and I called multiple times and spoke to management, but I ended up being in collections somehow. 
This makes me feel that the credit system is NOT for consumers in any way shape or form. If it is not, this is a terrible system for our country. Companies have no accountability. 

The challenge system is a nightmare. To remove anything from credit is a hassle and often requires snail mail. This is XX/XX/2017, they need to get their XXXX together and allow consumers to challenge credit marks online. All XXXX agencies needs to get with the times and start protecting consumers from businesses.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief