Consumer complaint received 2017-03-25
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX
Product: Credit reporting
Issue: Credit reporting company's investigation
Sub-issue: No notice of investigation status/result

Complaint:
I have disputed the issue with the reporting company but have not received a final response other than what shows on my credit tracking apps. 
I could argue that several of the reasoning options listed above would suffice as a grounds for complaint, ie., did not get proper help over the phone, problem with statement of dispute, investigation took too long, etc. ... .and, I could probably add a few more not listed. I am frustrated! 
My complaint is against Equifax for not addressing my dispute with original creditor ( collection agency ) with proper ethics and advocacy on my part. I have disputed this balance several times now with Equifax because the original creditor will not comply with requests for itemized and detailed invoices and line item charges which I have requested multiple times from collection agency who now has this account. My purpose in requesting these was to instigate an affidavit of unauthorized charges on this original account. I get nowhere with collection agency and in fact am told that they are only required to provide basic and satisfying information to validate the debt to the reporting credit bureau. I know it is my account, however, the question is accuracy of amount due because of these unauthorized charges. My complaint with original creditor is that these unauthorized charges are the result of retailer ( in this case XXXX ) not verifying my identity with proper ID at time of purchase therefore allowing unauthorized person ( s ) to charge to my account. Twice, attempts were made with representative XXXX at collection agency ( XXXX ) but told each time that his agency does not get those documents from the original creditor and therefore can not and is not required to supply them to me or to the reporting credit bureaus. I had even sent, via mail, a request for documents and NOT EVEN a response back. 
At this time, this is neither here nor there now as I have moved past trying to get the collection agency to provide my requests and now see that my time is wasted dealing with the collection agency as I was getting nowhere. Therefore, I directed my complaint to Equifax in the hope that their investigation would prompt collection agency to provide accurate account information. 
Equifax has a responsibility in proper investigating and in reporting to me the timely status of the investigation instead of the dry and customary " meets FCRA requirements ''. I have disputed this twice now ( three if you count the initial phone call dispute ) with Equifax and do n't even get the courtesy of a letter or email to notify me of status or findings. I am very frustrated and feel as though I have no rights in this matter and have gotten nowhere in following recommended protocol and steps for resolution. This has been an education for me and I have learned that the reporting bureaus do n't have to substantiate anything except known public record type of information to satisfy the proof of debt. The credit process has been made to be a black or white issue with reporting and follows a general set of guidelines and protocol therefore making it a laborious process to communicate situations and disputes that are not always black or white and do require more ethical investigation than just the standardized proof of debt validation. On top of this, it has easy to see the close relationship that the bureaus keep with the lenders and creditors that works against the borrower in many cases when a person such as myself has to fight for my right to obtain information and request dispute resolutions. 
For final disposition on this matter, I request that this be removed from my report with Equifax as I see no other viable or satisfying solution and have exhausted all resources.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation