Consumer complaint received 2016-07-12
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: MA
Product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on credit report
Sub-issue: Account status

Complaint:
In XXXX XXXX I noticed that my credit report from Experian was showing the same bad debt I had defaulted on in XX/XX/XXXX twice ( both the original creditor and the debt collector were being reported. ) I submitted a dispute online pointing out that they were for the same debt and had the same account numbers. Experian changed my credit report to show the debt collection as active and reported the original credit account as closed in XX/XX/XXXX with 2 years of no payment history prior. The debt had been, according to Experian 's own report, set to be removed from my report in XXXX XX/XX/XXXX ( 7 years after defaulting ) but when they updated the information they changed the original creditor to not be removed until XXXX XX/XX/XXXX and stated it 's now a " good '' account and remains on for 10 years from when it was sold. I attempted to dispute this online again since an account with 2 years of no payment history that is then closed does not appear " good '' to other creditors but I received I decision that it was a " frivolous '' dispute. In XX/XX/XXXX when the debt collection was removed from my report I called Experian to ask again about why the original creditor was n't removed and they again said it was a good standing account. In an attempt to raise my debt to total credit line ratio I applied for credit cards that their own site said I should be eligible for and was denied by XXXX and approved for XXXX. All XXXX denials cited Experian 's report and lack of information about a revolving account or credit history as a reason for denial. The card I was approved for sent my card with a notice in the rates and fees that Experian 's report was a factor in a giving me a lower credit limit and a higher APR. It also stated my credit score from Experian for XXXX XXXX was XXXX not the XXXX ( down from XXXX because of inquiries ) Experian quoted the same day. I initiated a dispute over the phone on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. During the call the Customer Service Rep stated that they do n't verify the information, the creditor reports the information as being investigated and accurate. I asked for the documents they sent and they claimed to have no access to them. I spoke with a supervisor who also told me they ca n't access anything but my current credit report and when asked who could he would n't answer. All along, however, comments made by Experian alluded to information they supposedly could n't see. During this same conversation we also called the original creditor who verified that it was bought by the debt collector as a bad debt but that it was so old there were n't additional details. Experian still would not accept this as proof it was a bad debt and subject to the 7 year reporting limit. Also, since the previous dispute had been deemed " frivolous '' the website would not let me upload documentation. I stated I would be mailing my supporting documents but today ( XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX business days later ) the dispute was already dismissed before the documents I mailed on XX/XX/XXXX could even get there. The customer service rep I spoke to today would n't give me a reason and said I 'd have to open another dispute to address it. She also refused to give me a copy of my current credit report instead saying she was mailing my XX/XX/XXXX credit report " because I ca n't just keep asking for them. '' I pointed out that I had received XXXX adverse action notices in the past month, XXXX of which arrived 2 days ago yet she still refused. I also pointed out that the website says for my protection is ca n't give me my free report online but if I pay {$1.00} for a week trial membership it allows access ( although now the paid subscription wo n't update either despite it saying it allows " unlimited '' experian score refreshes. I asked how I could fix this and she said she did n't know when the hold would be removed. She also continued to repeat " Is there anything else I can help you with? '' The call ended with my " no. ''

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation