Consumer complaint received 2023-04-07
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: OH
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report
Sub-issue: Reporting company used your report improperly

Complaint:
In XXXX I became permanently XXXX and receive XXXX. In XXXX I began the daunting and exhaustive task to repair my credit that, in XXXX, was negatively impacted by an extended health issue. I paid off debts and worked closely with all major credit agencies by providing validation and related documentation. My Dad told me credit is more valuable then money so being creditable brought me a great feeling of power, pride, and the wisdom gained by humility In XXXX, my credit scores were in the 600-700 range. One of six credit-establishing credit cards was XXXX XXXX. I was approved for {$500.00} then ( without a request for an increase by me ) raised to {$2500.00}. I always paid the monthly balances on all accounts. I remained vigilant checking my credit reports and scores in check. 

In XXXX XXXX XXXX lost a {$1200.00} check representing the balance of the XXXX statement. I provided the documents that XXXX  XXXX needed to begin an investigation. 

From XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/XXXX I did my due diligence and called, emailed, submitted documents and spoke many times with XXXX XXXX. I continued to make many large payments so my account stayed in good standing. 

Finally in XX/XX/XXXX {$1200.00} was posted to my account. 

Then events created by XXXX  and the missing {$1200.00} started to take a toll on my credit scores. In XX/XX/XXXX I received a letter indicating that XXXX XXXX didnt have enough documents for an investigation. {$1200.00} was added to my to my balance due increasing it to {$1800.00} and charging me high interest rates. 

I request a credit increase of {$1200.00} in an effort to keep my total available credit up and usage down and my credit wasnt negatively impacted. They declined it citing high usage and inquiries were too high. 

Since I opened the XXXX  XXXX credit card, Ive always paid the statement balance and was never charged interest. As of todays date my available credit is {$900.00} and my balance {$1600.00} and XXXX XXXX continues to charge me interest. 

This situation has made a negative impact on my credit reports and scores because my available credit went down, and my usage and inquiries up. I even got declined for an auto loan by XXXX XXXX citing the same reasons- which they created. 

Exasperated, On XX/XX/XXXX I wrote an email to the CEO and CFO of XXXX  XXXX asking for help about the {$1200.00} problem but no reply. 

I dont believe in coincidences- on exact date of the email ) XX/XX/XXXX ) my calls to XXXX XXXX were unwittingly transferred to the Recovery Department XXXX The harassment began by XXXX XXXX unwanted and underhanded actions were was I was told XXXX XXXX is attempting to collect a [ past ] debt. And started to record the conversation. I cut them off and told the recovery department that this practice of transferring my call is deceptive and illegal. When rerouting my calls continued to happen, I would hang up. Then when the last rerouted call happened, I told them their actions are illegal and this was the first time XXXX XXXX tried to collect a debt. But the methods they were using are against consumer laws. The calls were unexpected and I was tricked. When I told them to stop calling me, the rep said, but we didnt call you. That remark made me realize they knew exactly what they were doing through untoward trickery. 

The rerouted calls stopped and then XXXX XXXX began calling me relentlessly and left voicemails without identifying themselves as XXXX XXXX XXXX. For instance the following are exact messages left on my VM : Good morning this message is for XXXX XXXX this is XXXX with XXXX XXXX so sorry to have missed you if you could please give us a call back at your earliest convenience my number is XXXX and our extension is XXXX XXXX thank you... 

Hi this message is for XXXX XXXX this is XXXX senior account manager with XXXX oXXXX if you could please return our call at XXXX extension XXXX thank you and have a great day... 

Ive never received any validation documentation from XXXX XXXX regarding a past debt and nothing has been reported to any credit agency. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I received a collection letter from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for an unpaid balance of {$1000.00} due to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. It had no validation. 

In conclusion, instead of help with the {$1200.00} problem, I was subjected to unlawful scrutiny enacted by false claims of an unsubstantiated debt that has nothing to do with the missing {$1200.00} payment. 

XXXX XXXX abusive collection tactics oppressed me by a sense of failure and impeded my creditworthiness when I was turned down for auto loans because of high credit usage and inquiries - that cited usage and inquiries are a result of XXXX XXXXXXXX multiple inquiries and {$1200.00} added to my usage. As of today, the check is still lost. 

I was subjected to corrupt collection practices when my calls were rerouted to recovery for a conjured up and a fallacious debt without written validation I have been turned down for credit cards and auto loans citing high usage and multiple inquires. This is the direct result of XXXX XXXX untoward business practices.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation