Consumer complaint received 2023-04-18
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA
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: Investigation took more than 30 days

Complaint:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, California XXXX Date of Birth : XX/XX/XXXX SS # : XXXX Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to dispute inaccurate information on my credit report, which I believe is in violation of several sections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Specifically, I have found that my correct name is XXXX XXXX XXXX but bureaus are reporting it as a XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX. Additionally, my current address is XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, California XXXX, but the bureau reported that I have many addresses like XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX. These inaccuracies have had a significant negative impact on my life. 

As you may know, the FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies follow reasonable procedures to ensure the accuracy of consumer reports, and to investigate disputes about the accuracy of information in the report. The following sections of the FCRA have been violated based on the inaccuracies in my report : Section 607 ( b ) - Requirements relating to the completeness and accuracy of consumer reporting agency files.

Section 607 ( c ) - Conditions for furnishing and using consumer reports for employment purposes. 
Section 609 - Disclosures to consumers. 
I am also concerned that my credit report includes inquiries by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX XXXX These inquiries may be in violation of Section 604 of the FCRA, which outlines the permissible purposes for accessing consumer reports. 

These inaccuracies have caused me significant emotional distress, as I have been denied credit and employment opportunities due to the false information on my credit report. I urge you to take immediate action to enforce the legal requirements of the FCRA and investigate these inaccuracies. I also request that you remove these unverified accounts from my credit report as soon as possible. 

currently showing as open on my credit report with the account number XXXX. The account status is showing as open, but it is a collection account. I never received any paperwork from the creditor notifying me that my account was sold to a collection agency. 

Upon reviewing my credit report, I noticed that the last verified date according to XXXX is XX/XX/XXXX, but XXXX did not report anything. Additionally, XXXX is showing the date of last activity as XX/XX/XXXX, but XXXX is showing the date as XX/XX/XXXX. 

I believe that these inconsistencies violate several sections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Specifically, Section 607 requires consumer reporting agencies to ensure the accuracy of consumer reports and to investigate disputes about the accuracy of information in the report. If the account status is inaccurate and the consumer reporting agency failed to investigate or correct the error, it could be a violation of Section 607.

Furthermore, Section 611 requires that a consumer reporting agency provide written notice to the consumer within 5 days of adding negative information to their credit report. I was not notified when my account was sent to collections, which could be a violation of Section 611.

In addition, Section 623 requires that a debt collector notify a consumer in writing within 5 days of their initial communication of the debt owed and their right to dispute the debt. If the consumer was not notified by the debt collector that their account was sent to collections, it could be a violation of Section 623.

Finally, Section 623 also requires that if a consumer disputes the validity of a debt within 30 days of receiving notice of the debt, the debt collector must verify the debt or cease collection activities. I disputed the debt, but I did not receive verification from the debt collector, which could be a violation of Section 623. 

This account is having a significant negative impact on my credit score and my ability to secure loans and credit cards. It has caused me great distress and hardship. I am requesting that the creditor remove this unverified account from my credit report as soon as possible. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation