Consumer complaint received 2023-12-18
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MD
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Written notification about debt
Sub-issue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt

Complaint:
XX/XX/XXXX To Whom It May Concern : I am filing a formal complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding a financial issue I've faced with Equifax Inc. ( Equifax Credit Report ). As a customer/account holder of Equifax Inc. ( Equifax Credit Report ) , I've encountered a significant issue that remains unaddressed despite my direct attempts to resolve it with the company. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I discovered numerous discrepancies affecting my consumer profile while reviewing my credit profile during the home buying process. Since this discovery, I've reached out multiple times to Equifax 's Dispute Department in an effort to resolve this matter, yet I have not received a satisfactory resolution or response. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I made a formal request to Equifax to verify and rectify an inaccurately reported collection account in my credit profile, XXXX XXXX XXXX. Subsequently, I received updated statuses indicating that the information had been modified and advising me to review the report for details. 
Upon reviewing my credit report, there was no visible update. Additionally, an updated comment stated, " Account information disputed by consumer ( Meets requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ). Despite these adjustments, inaccuracies persisted in my report, adversely affecting my ability to proceed with a home purchase due to the incomplete reflection of my consumer profile. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I followed up with Equifax as discrepancies were still present in my consumer profile, impeding the home buying process. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an update similar to the previous reports, stating the information was updated without specifying the nature of the alterations, which remained identical to the prior reports in XXXX. 
At this juncture, I am perplexed. Despite assurances of updated information, my consumer profile remains inaccurately reflected. Subsequently, on XX/XX/XXXX, I formally requested details regarding the method used to verify this account. However, the subsequent report received on XX/XX/XXXX mirrored the earlier report from XX/XX/XXXX, lacking additional clarification regarding the verification method. 
This lack of transparency raises concerns about the accuracy and completeness of the account information, as mandated by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act. As of XX/XX/XXXX, despite my follow-up on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX has XXXX to provide the details regarding their verification process for this account, despite ongoing discrepancies in reporting. 
Because of the lack of verification method and constant updated status I submitted a dispute outlining all the inaccuracy across the XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX and on XX/XX/XXXX. 
The name of this account is inconsistent across all three bureaus o Equifax reporting the name is XXXX  o XXXX and XXXX reporting it as XXXXXXXX XXXX  ( Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) The date opened is inconsistent across all three bureaus. If all bureaus receive the same information from the creditor, there should be no inconsistency. 
o XXXX is Reporting a date open of XX/XX/XXXX o XXXX and Equifax are Reporting a date open of XX/XX/XXXX The date last active is inconsistent across all bureaus with a difference of 4 years and one month being reported between XXXX and XXXX ; 5 years and XXXX month between Equifax and XXXX ; and one year and one month between Equifax and XXXX. This is also a violation since it is being reported with different dates and continuously being updated amongst each credit bureau. 
o XXXX is reporting date of last activity as XX/XX/XXXX o XXXX is reporting date of last activity as XX/XX/XXXX o Equifax is reporting date of last activity as XX/XX/XXXX The payment status is inconsistent across all three bureaus. If all bureaus receive the same information from the creditor, there should be no inconsistency. 
o Equifax is reporting a payment status of XXXX days o XXXX and XXXX are reporting a payment status of collection/charge off The account type is inconsistent across all three bureaus. If all bureaus receive the same information from the creditor, there should be no inconsistency. 
o Equifax is reporting an OPEN ACCOUNT o XXXX and XXXX are reporting a Collection account The date of last payment is also not reflecting accurately across all bureaus, which impacts the timeframe in of when this account shall fall off my consumer credit report. 
o Equifax is reflecting date of last payment as XX/XX/XXXX o XXXX and XXXX do not report on this status. 

Subsequently, I received an update dated XX/XX/XXXX, which contained similar language to previous reports. This consistent alteration raises concerns that Equifax might be struggling to accurately present information on my consumer report. 
Consequently, they seem unable to verify the accuracy of their method or provide an error-free consumer report, as the information they provide keeps changing without evident truthfulness. 
It's disconcerting that a major credit bureau like Equifax continues to inaccurately report information to my consumer profile, despite their claims of verification. Due to the ongoing lack of accuracy in my report, I highlighted inconsistencies observed across all three major credit bureaus regarding the account under dispute due to its inaccuracy. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, in report number XXXX, Equifax updated the status on this account, asserting that the " This creditor has verified to our company that the high credit/credit limit is being reported correctly. This creditor/agency has verified to our company that the date of last activity is being reported correctly. The following fields has been modified I am still waiting for the verification method because I noticed a trend of Equifax completing investigations within a week time frame and they still have information that is reflecting differently from other credit reporting agency as I stated earlier. 
Upon receiving this statement, I retrieved my credit report, only to discover persistent discrepancies in the reported information. Despite Equifax 's assurance of conducting thorough, truthful, accurate, and timely reporting, the inconsistency between their information and that provided by other credit bureaus raises concerns. 
Despite the multiple times they claim to have completed investigations, the ongoing inability of Equifax to verify this account and the continuous alterations in reported information cast doubt on the validity of this account. The inaccurate reporting significantly impedes my progress in the home buying process as it adversely affects my consumer profile.

In accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, specifically 15 USC 1692g, it stipulates that if a consumer disputes a debt in writing within the stipulated thirty-day period, the debt collector must cease collection of the disputed portion until they obtain verification of the debt or relevant documentation, providing a copy of such verification or information to the consumer.

Moreover, in accordance with FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 2 ) ( B ), Equifax was required to forward all relevant information provided by me to the creditor for their investigation of my dispute. Furthermore, FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 7 ) mandates that Equifax must furnish me with all the information utilized in their investigation process.

I contend that Equifax 's actions are not in alignment with the requirements outlined in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It appears that their failure to adequately furnish accurate information regarding my account, and their reluctance to remove this account until they can do so, indicates non-compliance with the aforementioned regulations. This non-compliance, in turn, is hindering their ability to provide the correct reflection of my account information.

I am requesting that this account is deleted from my consumer profile. I have attached all documentation for your review. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation