Consumer complaint received 2020-11-11
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: VA
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: Problem with personal statement of dispute

Complaint:
I have incorrect and fraudulent information on my credit reports. I have tried to file disputes regarding this misinformation, however the dispute process is seriously flawed and there is no resolution by the credit bureaus. Information in my reports is seriously flawed and all credit bureaus are complicit in perpetuating this fraud because there is no avenue to follow to correct the information based on their rigid dispute policies.

XXXX. I can not dispute any account misinformation based on the fact that I need to check a box with a reason for the dispute that the credit bureau has predetermined. None of my reasons for disputes are included in their list of limited options, 2 I have no recourse when a company rejects the dispute, even though I am not legally responsible for the dept. I have documents that prove my legal obligation.

3. All 3 credit bureaus are equally negligent and complicit in fraud since they offer no alternative options. They totally control the process. 
4. Today a representative of XXXX  hung up on me because I reported my experiences and he did not like the insinuation that the credit bureaus were aiding the fraudulent practices by companies that are committing fraud. 
5.. I had my identity stolen by 2 different people in the mid nineties in different states. No one would help me. One credit bureau advised me to call the FBI. I did this which provided the FBI with a big laugh. As a result, I made up my mine to give up on credit bureaus and never to spend another wasted minute on my credit. I made money instead so that I would never need credit. 
6. Unfortunately, although I did open and run a successful business for years, my credit score went up to about 780. I had no credit cards, did not want them. I paid cash for everything. No loans either.

7. Now I have a credit score of about 540. I have always paid my bills. So many fraudulent accounts are listed on my account that I have spent months trying to dispute them with no success. They are Not my bills in many cases. I can not get any cooperation from the credit bureaus. They will not cooperate or even listen. 

I expect no help at all now. This is my last minute involving myself in this circus of fraud. These bureaus need to be forced to operate differently. They are avenues for extortion for many companies that know that threatening a person 's credit will force them to pay for services even if those services were never provided. I did pay a company off in 2013 and lost about {$6000.00} just so they would not report information to the credit bureaus. I had rented an apartment for someone and could not use it because he was not able to live alone after a long illness. I was told I could sublease the apartment, I hired a real estate agent and ran an ad. People wanted to see the apartment but when the real estate agent tried to show it, the apartment management would not let him have the keys to do so, He tole me he could not gain access but if I oaid the company another {$1500.00}, I could break the lease. He advised me to do it so it would not go on my credit. I did pay them the {$1500.00} plus security deposit and XXXX of rent, altogether about {$6000.00}. 
I called XXXX energy to have the utilities taken out of my name. XXXX told me the utilities were not in my name. Someone had already rented the apartment. 

I have explained this episode because I will not be threatened bu companies any longer due to fear of my credit report. 
If you can not change their abuse, there is no hope anywhere. I am referring to XXXX, XXXX XXXX and Equifax. They are all complicit with companies committing fraud. Allowing his situation to continue without any check and accountability is abusive and provides the ability for them to continue their fraudulent practices Thank you. 

XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation