Consumer complaint received 2016-06-09
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL
Product: Credit reporting
Issue: Unable to get credit report/credit score
Sub-issue: Problem getting report or credit score

Complaint:
I find it incomprehensible that in the United States we have such a horrible credit rating system where we encourage debt and penalize the consumer for paying off their debt For example, Consumer ( A ) has an auto loan with a 72/mo term of XXXX, after 3 years, Consumer ( A ) decides to pay off this loan which in turn lowers DTI. However, by closing this installment loan in full, Consumer ( A ) 's credit score drops XXXX points ( which can vary depending on where the credit score was to begin with ). With the national debt at approximately XXXX dollars, how is that our United States Senators and Representatives stand by idly while consumers play into the " dog show '' called the credit system. I or any other consumer should not have to accept this as just the way things are. 

There does not seem to be anything in place that significantly hurts the creditor and/or the credit bureau for reporting inaccurate information on the consumer credit report. The time it takes to fix such inaccuracies takes 30-45 days. For the average working consumer, this is next impossible feat to handle. If I am working from XXXX-XXXX, how can I possibly be on the phones beyond my lunch break to get through to either an outsourced call center agent or an arrogant debt collector ( very few times and probably next to none have I spoken with a debt collector who was amiable ). 

I currently have an issue with Equifax , for their lack of professionalism and how they manipulate consumers to pay to get a score that they report. Think of it this way ; when one takes an exam, do you have to pay your teacher to get your score number? The teacher tells you, you answered some questions wrong and you ask well, what 's my score? The teacher says, you can access your score for $ XXXX/mo. or one time fee of {$7.00}. Why should consumers have to pay for learning how companies may or may not be negatively impacting their report. Is it because, companies such as Equifax make XXXX net revenue from these practices that I feel should be illegal. A consumer such as myself or anyone else for that matter should NOT have to pay for their credit score. A report means NOTHING, when applying for a rental application, a credit card, interest rate { buybacks } a home loan, an auto loan, a student loan, a personal loan, a cell phone, cable service, utilities, etc. [ Yes, the credit reporting system is tied to do being able to set up utilities or even a basic landline ( not even considering a cell phone ) ] Why is it that Equifax allowed to profit from consumer 's debt? This is the epitome of crony capitalism. Allowing a small group to dictate the very thing that either makes you poor and limited or wealthy and able to get low rates. 

A doctor could charge patients differently because one 's score could be different. Should the person with a XXXX get better care than the one person with a XXXX? 

I would like Equifax to explain why they are a public traded company that essentially makes a ton of profits off of keeping consumers in debt ; as well as do their job they get paid to do and not make it difficult for me to update addresses [ or any other information ] in MY account when I had provided adequate information stating my identity. Creditors should not easily be able to place false information on my report when I can barely change a number on my address in my report.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief