Consumer complaint received 2019-06-10
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Public record information inaccurate

Complaint:
Dear CFPB : Around XXXX I pulled my credit report and noticed an adverse account reporting. It was a bankruptcy, so I contacted the credit bureaus to begin the dispute process. On XX/XX/XXXX, I mailed a certified letter to Equifax ( exhibit 1 ). In this letter I challenged the validity, accuracy, compliance, and report-ability of the account. I informed them about Rule 1005 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, letting them know a full Social Security number is filed with the original petition, and the only way that information is revealed, would be for a credit reporting agency and/or a third party to file a motion with the courts to unseal any documents related to the filing. I figured if they did an investigation, they would have to petition the courts, and the full social security number would reveal who the true identity is! 

In less than 3 weeks I received a response stating the bankruptcy was verified and updated ( exhibit 2 ). I called Equifax and the representative said the courts were the furnisher of the information. I was advised to contact the courts, and they provided me with a letter stating that they do not provide information to credit reporting agencies, and they are not responsible for the misuse of any information gathered by the credit agency or third party vendors ( exhibit 3 ). 

According to the FCRA, it is extremely important to note that Equifax is known for telling consumers on a consistent basis, that the courts provides this information, and this is simply not true! It is unethical and bad business practices. Equifax must comply per FCRA : *They have to send proper documentation i.e., file information, verification methods, and response of what proof they have associating the account to the consumer ( me ) *The account must be deleted if not properly verified, and they can not report inaccurate, unverifiable, or untimely information. They can not just say verified I sent another letter on XX/XX/XXXX ( exhibit 4 )  requesting the account be deleted and provide the method of verification and documents bearing my signature, according to section 609 ( A ) ( 1 ) & Section 611 ( a ) ( 7 ). I had already sent a letter from the courts. Stating they do not send information to credit agencies or XXXX i.e., third party vendors. Although, I asked to be given the method of verification, I also stressed and demanded that an independent investigation be performed. I then requested that a validation and/or verification of the account be done without using XXXX which transmits disputes through ACDV, which is NOT an independent investigation. I was still sent a response in less than 3 weeks that the item was updated and verified. I called the agency again and was informed by the representative that I needed to contact the courts, because they are the furnisher of this account. 

The dispute process had become frustrating and overwhelming! I had sent compelling factual proof to the credit agency, and realized what they had informed me to do was not truthful ; they clearly were sending me on a wild goose chase! After extensively researching some information, I learned that my information along with millions if not billions of others, had come from data mining companies. Companies that sale consumer information, like mines, to credit agencies ; for profit, and more shocking, they sale this data information to credit bureaus whether its accurate or not! So, it was strongly suggested that I place a security freeze on all of my data mining credit reports, especially XXXX ( exhibit 5 ). 


Clearly Equifax had NOT performed an independent investigation or a method of verification, and they still had not validated the account with a document bearing my signature. Exhaustingly, on XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a 4th letter ( exhibit 6 ) iterating Equifax to perform and provide and independent investigation and what method of verification was used. While waiting another 30 days for the completion of this dispute I received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, XXXX District of Ohio in XXXX, that I am a victim of Bankruptcy Fraud dated XX/XX/XXXX ( exhibit 7 )  .. So I sent a 5th dispute letter to Equifax dated XX/XX/XXXX ( Exhibit 8 ) as supporting documents to the dispute letter sent on XX/XX/XXXX. I requested again for them to delete the inaccurate reporting and emphasized to them that they could not have done an independent investigation because an independent investigation would have resulted into a different conclusion. In less than 2 weeks, I received a letter stating the account had been verified and updated. They were just uttering what the creditor or third party vendor was reporting, and this clearly does not constitute a method of verification. An independent investigation would have taken some time, and yet, the response time frame to my investigations became shorter and shorter, as if my dispute was being treated as if it was frivolous. 

Without any type of resolution from Equifax, I am requesting that the CFPB make Equifax comply to the statues, laws, policies, and procedures as it is governed by. What Equifax is doing to me is egregious! They have had several data breaches, which impacted millions, including me. I am already a victim of Bankruptcy Fraud the letter from the DOJ is from the Federal Courts, which covers all 50 states. What more do I have to endure? Equifax has damaged my life and my credit worthiness. The disingenuous response of one word verified is a mere slap in the face, when I strongly feel they are not doing what is being asked of them from my dispute letters. My credit, which I take very seriously, is a representation of me, and by allowing Equifax to report inaccurate information, is not only illegal and unethical, it is also affecting my livelihood and my life! This account needs to be removed and deleted immediately! 


Respectfully, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation