Consumer complaint received 2023-08-26
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: LA
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Information belongs to someone else

Complaint:
Attention : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau I am submitting a complaint against XXXX XXXX XXXX, based on numerous attempts to have my Name/SSN removed from my Ex-Wifes credit card account, which was awarded to her in our Marital Divorce Decree, signed on the XXXX of XX/XX/XXXX. 
During the process of our divorce while serving on XXXX XXXX in XXXX, XXXX, I was verifying the amount of our marital debt by running a free annual credit report. On the credit report I noticed a XXXX XXXX Account that I was not aware of. Upon contacting XXXX XXXX, I was informed that I was a Co-Applicant on this account. I stated that I never applied for this charge card account and never have I ever had possession or made any charges. I was informed that they were willing to make an exception by submitting a letter to the credit bureaus to restore my credit score. 

After XXXX  from the XXXX in XXXX of XXXX, I moved to my hometown of XXXX, XXXX. It wasnt until XXXX of XXXX, approximately four months after my divorce date, I ran another free annual credit report. I realized my Name/SSN was still attached to this account after my Credit Score plummeted from XXXX to XXXX. Once again, I requested XXXX XXXX to send letters to the Credit Bureaus to have my ex-wifes delinquent payments removed from my credit score. Once again, my score was adjusted. 

In XXXX I was wanting to purchase a home, and once again I discovered after running another free annual credit report, my credit score plummeted. I called XXXX XXXX and spoke with multiple Representatives trying to rectify this matter, to no avail I was unsuccessful in getting XXXX  XXXX to write anymore letters to the Credit Bureaus. Although my score was low, I was however able to qualify for a VA Loan. 

I once again I contacted XXXX XXXX in XXXX of XXXX requesting them to remove me from this account. I was instructed to submit a letter stating my request for removal from this account ; reasons for the request ; the final certified copy of my Divorce Decree, along with a printed copy of the Credit Bureau Payment History report. Needless to say, since I submitted that letter along with the requested documentation, no action was ever taken to permanently remove me from this account. After not hearing back from XXXX XXXX, I reached out again in an attempt to rectify my situation. 
I spoke with a representative where he offered to reduce the amount my ex-wife owed on this account, if I was willing to pay the balance of the account, and that he would submit letters to the Credit Bureaus to restore my credit score. I informed him that I would need to speak with my current wife prior to making this final payment in full. 
Unfortunately, this came during a time of corporate downsizing and forced shutdowns due to COVID-19, which made it impossible to financially afford to pay off my ex-wifes debt. 

In XXXX of XXXX, I offered to pay the balance owed on this account if they were willing to submit letters to the bureaus as they did in the past. I was just pawned off onto the Credit Bureaus, as if they were going to make adjustments without the consent of the Credit Card Company. As expected, I was only referred back to XXXX XXXX XXXX. I personally closed this account to prevent higher balances in the future, only allowing my ex-wife to make payments in order to zero this account out. However, my ex-wife was actually able to pay off this account due to a large inheritance, but refused to and still today continuously makes delinquent payments. 

As noted above, XXXX XXXX XXXX  submitted numerous times letters on my behalf to all three Credit Bureaus requesting the removal of the delinquent payment history so that my credit score would be restored. Each time my credit score was returned to its unblemished rating, only until the payments were once again delinquent. Within the past two  years I have tried countless times to have XXXX XXXX XXXX  continue to submit letters, but to no avail they now refuse to accommodate. Prior to each and every conversation, XXXX XXXX informed me that our conversations were being recorded for quality assurance. 
As advised by your agency, I am respectfully submitting this request to your office and pray that you will be able to assist me in completely removing my association in every aspect from this account, to include letters being forwarded to the Credit Bureaus to restore MY previous Credit Score. I have found that XXXX XXXX XXXX  chooses to be the only financial institution that does not accommodate consumers with such requests, especially those that are court ordered. I was however able to remove my ex-wife entirely from the two  credit cards I was awarded through our divorce, which had paid them in full. 
Finally, I have attached all documentation previously requested and submitted to XXXX XXXX XXXX  for your convenience and request your prompt attention and support. I anxiously await your response in this matter. 
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. 

I am currently attempting to apply for a line of credit, and due to my current credit score the interest rate is extremely high. 


In kindest regards, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief