Consumer complaint received 2023-04-06
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: SC
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:
Hello, I am writing to dispute the inaccurate and misleading information on my credit report regarding the account with XXXX ( Original Creditor : MEDICAL ) with account number XXXX. 

According to my credit report, the account type is showing as open when it is actually a collection account. Additionally, the creditor failed to notify me of the sale or transfer of the debt to a collection agency within 30 days, which is a violation of Section 623 ( a ) ( 2 ) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Furthermore, the collection agency did not provide me with a written notice within five days of their initial contact, which is a violation of Section 809 ( a ) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). 

This inaccurate information has had a significant impact on my life. It has made it difficult for me to secure loans, obtain housing, and even gain employment. This situation has caused me a great deal of stress and XXXX, as I have been struggling to make ends meet due to the negative impact on my credit score. 

Firstly, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Original Creditor : XXXXXXXX XXXX ) account number XXXX is inaccurately reported by both XXXX and Equifax. While Equifax shows a balance of {$250.00}, XXXX did not report any balance. Additionally, XXXX shows the number of months ( terms ) as one month, while Equifax does not report anything. XXXX also shows the payment status as debt included in or discharged through XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, XXXX, or XXXX, while Equifax shows it as unpaid. Furthermore, XXXX reports the last reported date as XX/XX/XXXX, while Equifax did not report anything. Lastly, XXXX reports the date last active as XX/XX/XXXX, while Equifax reports XX/XX/XXXX. 

These inaccuracies violate FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 2 ), which requires the creditor to notify the consumer of the sale or transfer of the debt to a collection agency within 30 days. Additionally, FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 5 ) requires the creditor to report the correct balance on the credit report, which was not done in this case. FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 7 ) also prohibits the inaccurate reporting of the account status, which is evident in the conflicting information between XXXX and Equifax. 

Moreover, the false representation of the debt by XXXX XXXX XXXX also violates FDCPA Section 807 ( 2 ) ( A ). 

XXXX XXXX XXXX I have reviewed my credit report from XXXX and noticed some inaccurate information that has affected my credit score negatively. I am requesting that the creditor correct the errors in accordance with the FCRA. 

First, according to XXXX, I was reported as 120 days late on XX/XX/XXXX, but I did not miss any payments on this account. I have never received any notifications from them regarding this 120 days past due account, and they have not provided any paperwork to support their claim. This inaccurate reporting has had a significant impact on my credit score and has caused me a great deal of stress and XXXX. 

In addition, XXXX is reporting the payment status as 120 days past due, which is not accurate. According to my records, I have made all payments on time and in full. This inaccurate reporting has also had a negative impact on my credit score. 

Furthermore, XXXX XXXX has failed to notify me of the delinquency on my account within 30 days of it being reported to the credit bureaus, as required by Section 623 ( a ) ( 2 ) of the FCRA. This failure to notify me has caused confusion and made it difficult for me to take the necessary steps to address any potential issues. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX I have reviewed my credit report and found several errors that have negatively impacted my credit score and my ability to secure loans and credit cards. 

Firstly, according to XXXX, I was reported as 120 days late on XX/XX/XXXX, but I did not miss any payments on my XXXX XXXX account. Additionally, XXXX is showing the account as 120 days past due, which is not accurate, as I have never received any notification or paperwork from XXXX XXXX regarding this account status. These violations are in violation of Section 623 ( a ) ( 2 ), Section 623 ( a ) ( 5 ), and Section 623 ( a ) ( 7 ) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

Furthermore, XXXX XXXX and XXXX have failed to send me a written validation notice within five days of their initial communication, as required by Section 807 ( 8 ) of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). This is a violation of my rights as a consumer and has caused me undue stress and XXXX. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX According to XXXX, I was 120 days late on XX/XX/XXXX, but I have never missed a payment on this account. Additionally, XXXX is reporting the payment status as 120 days past due, despite never receiving any notification or paperwork from XXXX XXXX regarding this delinquency. 

I believe that XXXX XXXX has violated several sections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). Specifically, the following violations have occurred : FCRA Violations : Section 623 ( a ) ( 2 ) - XXXX XXXX failed to notify me of the delinquency on my account within 30 days of it being reported to the credit bureaus. 
Section 623 ( a ) ( 5 ) - XXXX inaccurately reported my payment history by showing a 120-day late payment that I did not actually make. 
Section 623 ( a ) ( 7 ) - XXXX inaccurately reported my account status by showing the account as 120 days past due, which is not accurate. 
FDCPA Violations : Section 807 ( 8 ) - XXXX XXXX failed to send me a written validation notice within five days of the initial communication with me. 
These inaccuracies and violations have had a significant impact on my life. As a result of the false information on my credit report, I have been denied credit, housing, and employment opportunities. This has caused me immense financial and emotional distress, as I am unable to achieve my goals and provide for myself and my family. 

I am requesting that the CFPB enforce the legal provisions outlined in the FCRA and FDCPA to ensure that XXXX XXXX removes these unverified accounts from my credit report. I also request that XXXX XXXX provide me with any and all documentation related to this account, including proof of any missed payments or delinquencies. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation