Consumer complaint received 2017-05-24
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NJ
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Account status incorrect

Complaint:
I applied to get approved for my first mortgage, and the loan officer told me about a single collection account on my credit. Because my median score was a XXXX, not XXXX, I wo n't receive the a great rate. This collection was a complete surprise to me. I never check my credit because I heard it hurts your score. I just assumed that since I pay all my bills on time and do n't keep excessive amounts on any credit cards, there would be no problems. <P/>The collection is from the company XXXX XXXX. They put it on my credit in XX/XX/XXXX in the initial amount of {$420.00}. It supposedly originates from XXXX XXXX XXXX, an apartment complex in which I once lived, due to cleaning expenses. <P/>I remember this charge. When moving to a new apartment in early XX/XX/XXXX, the new apartment complex ( XXXX XXXX ) noticed this on my background check. They required me to pay it before approving my new lease. I thought {$400.00} for cleaning was absurd, but I went to the old apartment and paid it along with my final payment. <P/>I assumed it was water under the bridge until a few weeks ago. Last week, I contacted XXXX XXXX XXXX, and they could find no record that I owed them any outstanding balance. I spoke to XXXX, the office manager, who was helpful. I then contacted XXXX XXXX, and they could n't find any documentation to support the claim. Yet, they just pressured me to pay it and refused to remove it from my credit even if I did. I 've now started disputing it with all 3 major credit bureaus. However, none seemed too enthusiastic to help. In fact, they told me that it 's not their job to ensure the report is accurate ; they merely report what 's told to them. XXXX told me this was my fault for not checking my credit. <P/>I contacted XXXX XXXX, who was more than helpful by looking up 6 years in the past to find the exact check where I paid them. It was paid on XX/XX/XXXX with check number XXXX. <P/>If not corrected before closing on my mortgage, this error will cost me 0.50 % on my mortgage rate, which equates to about {$42000.00} of interest that I 'll be forced to pay. <P/>The credit bureaus should be held liable for allowing fraudulent information on their report without doing their due diligence to ensure its accuracy. They have a responsibility to their clients who purchase those report and use that information in financial decisions. Furthermore, they have a greater responsibility to the public, whom eventually pays for their negligence. <P/>Please, I need help. I 'm just one person who feels like they 're being disparingly treated because they may not have the financial means of others. I have a right, like any other, to ensure my history is reflected properly. <P/>If the CFPB wo n't help, my next step is to consult with an attorney. I 've done everything I know to do without going further, but this must be rectified before it cost me thousands.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation