Consumer complaint received 2018-05-27
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MD
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: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report

Complaint:
Equifax Credit Bureau has proven over and over that they help illegally operating debt collectors continue reporting on consumer credit files. 

Over the last 80 days, I have filed complaints after complaints against XXXX XXXX violating Federal Law, but they refuse to remove the collection and refuse to comply with the letter of the law. 

A complaint was filed with CFBP Case # XXXX THE COMPLAINT READS : This complaint is against XXXX XXXX XXXX for violation of federal law of the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act 111-203, title X, 124 Stat. 2092, provisions : 15 USC 1692f, sub-chapter 807 ; 15 USC 1692g, sub-chapter 808 ; 15 USC 1692h sub-chapter 809 ; 15 USC 1692I sub-chapter 813 In XX/XX/XXXX, I had received services at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for which I had paid my deductible and my insurance covered the balance. In XX/XX/XXXX, I had relocated to the State of XXXX, which is where I lived and worked through XX/XX/XXXX( Tax records verify this ). Although I maintain a XXXX mailing address, located at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX with forwarding of the mail, I had received any communication from the medical facility or from XXXX XXXX XXXX ( aka : XXXX ). However, it wasn't noticed until XXXX that XXXX had placed collection marks on my credit files with XXXX XXXX, Equifax and XXXX   Credit Bureaus. But what is more interesting that I noticed that XXXX had more than doubled the original amount by adding interest and debt collection fees, which is illegal. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, Disputes with all three credit bureaus were filed. In XX/XX/XXXX, when I called Equifax to find out the status of the dispute, a representative informed me that that had received paperwork from XXXX and that the debt was valid and it would stay on my credit. 

My rebuttal towards that was simple : XXXX is violating federal law and the credit bureau is acting as an accomplice to the fact. Being in XXXX presently, but going back to XXXX this summer, I was able to go to my mailbox and saw the letter from XXXX, which is what I am providing to you. And in this letter, you will see the original invoice from the XXXX XXXX and the claim that XXXX had made that they are collecting late fees and collection fees. This company, and it's people, are operating illegally and should have all of their files audited. Criminal subpoenas should be issued and their licenses should be revoked. Furthermore, I would like the credit bureaus to remove the collection account from XXXX and to revoke the company 's right to report until a thorough investigation of this company has been concluded. 

LASTLY : The damages XXXX has caused me has effectively harmed my credit and my ability to obtain favorable credit. And therefore, punitive damages should be sought. FEDERAL STATUES : -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 807. False or misleading representations A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section : ( 1 ) The false representation or implication that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States or any State, including the use of any badge, uniform, or facsimile thereof. ( 2 ) The false representation of -- ( A ) the character, amount, or legal status of any debt ; or ( B ) any services rendered or compensation which may be lawfully received by any debt collector for the collection of a debt. ( 3 ) The false representation or implication that any individual is an attorney or that any communication is from an attorney. ( 4 ) The representation or implication that nonpayment of any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of any property or wages of any person unless such action is lawful and the debt collector or creditor intends to take such action. ( 5 ) The threat to take any action that can not legally be taken or that is not intended to be taken. ( 6 ) The false representation or implication that a sale, referral, or other transfer of any interest in a debt shall cause the consumer to -- ( A ) lose any claim or defense to payment of the debt ; or ( B ) become subject to any practice prohibited by this subchapter. ( 7 ) The false representation or implication that the consumer committed any crime or other conduct in order to disgrace the consumer. ( 8 ) Communicating or threatening to communicate to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed. ( 9 ) The use or distribution of any written communication which simulates or is falsely represented to be a document authorized, issued, or approved by any court, official, or agency of the United States or any State, or which creates a false impression as to its source, authorization, or approval. ( 10 ) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer. ( 11 ) The failure to disclose in the initial written communication with the consumer and, in addition, if the initial communication with the consumer is oral, in that initial oral communication, that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose, and the failure to disclose in subsequent communications that the communication is from a debt collector, except that this paragraph shall not apply to a formal pleading made in connection with a legal action. ( 12 ) The false representation or implication that accounts have been turned over to innocent purchasers for value. ( 13 ) The false representation or implication that documents are legal process. ( 14 ) The use of any business, company, or organization name other than the true name of the debt collector 's business, company, or organization. ( 15 ) The false representation or implication that documents are not legal process forms or do not require action by the consumer. ( 16 ) The false representation or implication that a debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency as defined by section 1681a ( f ) of this title.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - 808. Unfair practices A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section : ( 1 ) The collection of any amount ( including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation ) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law. ( 2 ) The acceptance by a debt collector from any person of a check or other payment instrument postdated by more than five days unless such person is notified in writing of the debt collector 's intent to deposit such check or instrument not more than ten nor less than three business days prior to such deposit. ( 3 ) The solicitation by a debt collector of any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument for the purpose of threatening or instituting criminal prosecution. ( 4 ) Depositing or threatening to deposit any postdated check or other postdated payment instrument prior to the date on such check or instrument. ( 5 ) Causing charges to be made to any person for communications by concealment of the true purpose of the communication. Such charges include, but are not limited to, collect telephone calls and telegram fees. ( 6 ) Taking or threatening to take any nonjudicial action to effect dispossession or disablement of property if -- ( A ) there is no present right to possession of the property claimed as collateral through an enforceable security interest ; ( B ) there is no present intention to take possession of the property ; or ( C ) the property is exempt by law from such dispossession or disablement. ( 7 ) Communicating with a consumer regarding a debt by post card. ( 8 ) Using any language or symbol, other than the debt collector 's address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram, except that a debt collector may use his business name if such name does not indicate that he is in the debt collection business.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 809. Validation of debts ( a ) Notice of debt ; contents Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing -- ( 1 ) the amount of the debt ; ( 2 ) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed ; ( 3 ) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector ; ( 4 ) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector ; and ( 5 ) a statement that, upon the consumer 's written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor. ( b ) Disputed debts If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection ( a ) of this section that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector. Collection activities and communications that do not otherwise violate this subchapter may continue during the 30-day period referred to in subsection ( a ) unless the consumer has notified the debt collector in writing that the debt, or any portion of the debt, is disputed or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor. Any collection activities and communication during the 30-day period may not overshadow or be inconsistent with the disclosure of the consumers right to dispute the debt or request the name and address of the original creditor. ( c ) Admission of liability The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under this section may not be construed by any court as an admission of liability by the consumer. ( d ) Legal pleadings A communication in the form of a formal pleading in a civil action shall not be treated as an initial communication for purposes of subsection ( a ). ( e ) Notice provisions The sending or delivery of any form or notice which does not relate to the collection of a debt and is expressly required by title 26, title V of Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act [ 15 U.S.C. 6801 et seq. ], or any provision of Federal or State law relating to notice of data security breach or privacy, or any regulation prescribed under any such provision of law, shall not be treated as an initial communication in connection with debt collection for purposes of this section.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 813. Civil liability ( a ) Amount of damages Except as otherwise provided by this section, any debt collector who fails to comply with any provision of this subchapter with respect to any person is liable to such person in an amount equal to the sum of -- ( 1 ) any actual damage sustained by such person as a result of such failure ; ( 2 ) ( A ) in the case of any action by an individual, such additional damages as the court may allow, but not exceeding {$1000.00} ; or ( B ) in the case of a class action, ( i ) such amount for each named plaintiff as could be recovered under subparagraph ( A ), and ( ii ) such amount as the court may allow for all other class members, without regard to a minimum individual recovery, not to exceed the lesser of {$500000.00} or 1 per centum of the net worth of the debt collector ; and ( 3 ) in the case of any successful action to enforce the foregoing liability, the costs of the action, together with a reasonable attorney 's fee as determined by the court. On a finding by the court that an action under this section was brought in bad faith and for the purpose of harassment, the court may award to the defendant attorney 's fees reasonable in relation to the work expended and costs. ( b ) Factors considered by court In determining the amount of liability in any action under subsection ( a ) of this section, the court shall consider, among other relevant factors -- ( 1 ) in any individual action under subsection ( a ) ( 2 ) ( A ) of this section, the frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the debt collector, the nature of such noncompliance, and the extent to which such noncompliance was intentional ; or ( 2 ) in any class action under subsection ( a ) ( 2 ) ( B ) of this section, the frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the debt collector, the nature of such noncompliance, the resources of the debt collector, the number of persons adversely affected, and the extent to which the debt collector 's noncompliance was intentional. ( c ) Intent A debt collector may not be held liable in any action brought under this subchapter if the debt collector shows by a preponderance of evidence that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid any such error. ( d ) Jurisdiction An action to enforce any liability created by this subchapter may be brought in any appropriate United States district court without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, within one year from the date on which the violation occurs. ( e ) Advisory opinions of Bureau No provision of this section imposing any liability shall apply to any act done or omitted in good faith in conformity with any advisory opinion of the Bureau, notwithstanding that after such act or omission has occurred, such opinion is amended, rescinded, or determined by judicial or other authority to be invalid for any reason.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief