Consumer complaint received 2022-08-23
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: WI
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: Was not notified of investigation status or results

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2022, I wrote to you requesting an investigation into items that I believed were INNACCURATE, OUTDATED AND OBSOLETE. To date, I have not received a reply from you or any acknowledgment that an investigation has begun. In my previous request, I listed my reasons for disputing the information. I have enclosed it again and request that you reply within a reasonable amount of time. 
Since this is my second request, I will also be sending a copy of this letter to the Federal Trade Commission notifying them that I have signed receipts for letters sent to you and you have not complied with my request. I regret that I am being forced to take such action. 
This agency is in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1692g. They were to notify me of this in writing 5 days prior, I was not. As the original creditor, only I can validate this debt. I do not validate this debt. Therefore, the following accounts must be deleted from my report. Failure to respond satisfactorily with deletion of the above referenced account and a free copy of my report after the changes have been made will result in the above actions being taken against your company. 
I request to be provided proof of this alleged item, specifically the original application, contract, note, other instrument bearing my signature and payment history. Please provide this information within 15 days. 
I am maintaining a careful record of my communications with you for the purpose of filing a complaint with the FTC should you continue in your non-compliance. I further remind you that, as in Wenger v. Trans Union Corp., No. 95-6445 ( C.D.Cal. XXXX XXXX ), you may be liable for your willful non-compliance. Credit reporting laws ensure that bureaus report only 100 % accurate credit information. 

Please be advised that I have received a computer-generated letter stating that they have ceased investigation of my credit reports because, in their opinion, they believe that I have used a third party credit repair agency. Not only do I believe this to be a stall tactic on their part to grant you an additional 30 days to comply with my original request, but I believe it to be a blatant violation of the FCRA.

Additionally there is NO law that states a consumer can not use a third party, so using that as their excuse is a irrelevant. In fact, the United States Congress has found the whole process so overwhelming that they afford consumers the right to use a third party on their behalf if the consumer so chooses. This is why your statement is so shameful. 
This is a formal complaint that you are reporting inaccurate and incomplete credit information. Per Wenger v. Trans Union Corp., No. 95-6445 ( C.D.Cal. XXXX XXXX ), theymay be liable for your willful non-compliance. Credit reporting laws ensure that bureaus report only 100 % accurate credit information. Under 15 U.S. Code 1692g. Validation of debts I request that this Non-Creditor validate this debt by providing proof of this alleged item.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation