Consumer complaint received 2015-10-04
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA
Product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on credit report
Sub-issue: Information is not mine

Complaint:
I became aware of an issue with my credit when I was searching for cars for my XXXX daughters. I asked my loan officer why I was paying 17.50 % on a car loan and he explained it was due to information in my credit file with Equifax. I immediately got copies from all XXXX bureaus and to my horror found much more than late payments, but different names, addresses, accounts ( department store, as well as collection accounts. It saddened me because I thought as a XXXX veteran/ former soldier i had nothing to worry about. Someone stealing my identity was the last thing on my mind. I know the accounts are not mine because I was stationed XXXX at the time. When I call and try to get information from the collection agencies as to when the accounts were originally opened I get that they were sold or bought from another company. I filed a police report, notified all XXXX bureaus, faxed in the police report and asked for a an alert to be placed on my file as well as disputed the information. Only to find out that the credit bureaus did none of this except remove the addresses and the names. they did not investigate any of the accounts, nor did they or have they to this date hold these collection agencies accountable for constantly re-aging debts on my credit file. According to the FCRA, collection agencies can not do this, nor can they keep charging you for the same debt and call it something else. Such is the case with a collection account that IS actually mine. 
there is a medical bill and XXXX bill that the VA refuses to pay even though when the XXXX driver called VA prior to leaving my home for my disposition, VA told the driver to take me to a local hospital, the drive to the VA hospital was over an hour away. I did not choose this hospital, the VA directed this as well as I did not choose to get sick and need an ambulance, it was due to my service XXXX.because VA refused to pay this bill it immediately went to a collection agency even though I appealed it. 
The next thing that I have an issue with is that I have been with my credit union for over 20 years and after finding out about the incorrect information in my file from Equifax , It was with the other bureaus as well. I knew that the XXXX times they reported me late for car loan payments were not true because I had all accounts set up on allotments. It was always easier for me that way. Now that I am a veteran I still have my check direct deposited and my accounts are drafted out of money before anything hits my checking account. My loan officer does n't seem to understand how the credit bureaus are reporting me late when Im not. The only thing Im being told is " were sorry there is nothing we can do '' after the first dispute was filed, I had to file over XXXX, my credit bureau verified that I have never been late on any loan or account with them. now once again this erroneous information is BACK on my file and no one wants to fix it. I was told if it ends up back in my file then the credit bureaus made the mistake, not my credit union. but the credit bureaus will not fix their mistake. As a result of their incorrect and outdated credit reporting I have suffered the following damages : denied credit, denied housing, denied employment, charged higher interest rates on loans when I could have paid a lower interest rate if correct information was in my file. the biggest thing that hurts me today. As a XXXX veteran, I ca n't even use my VA certificate to purchase a home for myself, because of someone else 's mistakes. The credit bureaus have no idea how their ignorance and down right refusal to take a closer look have impacted my life. I have considered closing my account with the credit union because there has to be another answer than " well its not our fault '' ... '' it must be theirs ''. I have done everything in my power, which is to pay my bills on time.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation