Consumer complaint received 2024-09-24
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (NJ)

Subject : Formal Dispute and Request for Investigation of Incorrect Information To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute inaccurate and deceptive information currently being reported on my credit file. This letter serves as my request for an immediate investigation into these reporting errors and a demand for compliance with federal laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) 15 U.S.C. 1692, the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681, and the Privacy Act ( 5 U.S.C. 552a ). 
The following accounts have been reported incorrectly, particularly with charge-off statuses that are inaccurately showing balances : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  These charge-off statuses should not be reporting balances and, therefore, must be corrected or removed. This is a direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and deceptive reporting under FDCPA 1692. 
In accordance with the FCRA 611 ( a ) [ 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ], I am requesting that these disputed items be either verified or deleted from my credit record within 5 days. Failure to validate these items will require their removal, as per the legal obligations you are bound to under the FCRA. 
Additionally, pursuant to FDCPA 1692g and 1692b, I request that you provide me with the original purchase agreements, if any, for the accounts in question. Please understand that I am denying any and all claims regarding these accounts. I am not asking for proof of just my name or address because that is not the information in dispute. I require confirmation of the exact details received from the alleged original creditor for these accounts, as these details are crucial for compliance with the law. 
In adherence to the Privacy Act ( 5 U.S.C. 552a ), please provide all personal information in your files that has been retrieved using my name or Social Security number, as permitted under the law. I also request that you explain how and for what purpose you obtained my Social Security number in connection with these accounts. If you do not have written permission to disclose my personal information, then your disclosure is in violation of the Privacy Act. 
Failure to comply with these requests may result in further action, including legal remedies under the FDCPA and FCRA. I appreciate your assistance in addressing this matter promptly and await confirmation of receipt and the removal or correction of the disputed information from my credit report. 
Please be aware : I am inclined to exercise my rights under FCRA Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), civil penalties for violations related to incorrect reporting of credit information can include both actual and statutory damages, depending on whether the violation was willful or negligent. Here 's a breakdown of the potential penalties : 1. Willful Violations ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n ) If a company willfully violates the FCRA, the civil penalties include : Actual Damages : The consumer may recover actual damages they suffered as a result of the violation. This could include financial harm, emotional distress, and any other losses directly related to the incorrect reporting. 
Statutory Damages : If actual damages are difficult to quantify, statutory damages can range from {$100.00} to {$1000.00} per violation. 
Punitive Damages : In cases of willful violations, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter future violations. 
Attorney 's Fees : The consumer may also recover reasonable attorney 's fees and costs. 
2. Negligent Violations ( 15 U.S.C. 1681o ) For negligent violations of the FCRA, the penalties include : Actual Damages : The consumer may recover actual damages caused by the incorrect reporting. 
Attorney 's Fees : The consumer is also entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees and costs. 
3. Civil Penalties for Systematic Violations If the violation involves systematic non-compliance, such as failure to correct ongoing incorrect reporting over a prolonged period, regulators like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) can impose additional penalties, including : Monetary Fines : These can range up to {$4100.00} per violation per consumer under updated penalty guidelines ( adjusted annually for inflation ). 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX  Subject : Formal Dispute and Request for Investigation of Incorrect Information To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute inaccurate and deceptive information currently being reported on my credit file. This letter serves as my request for an immediate investigation into these reporting errors and a demand for compliance with federal laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) 15 U.S.C. 1692, the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681, and the Privacy Act ( 5 U.S.C. 552a ). 
The following accounts have been reporting incorrectly, particularly with charge-off statuses that are inaccurately showing balances : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  These charge-off statuses should not be reporting balances and, therefore, must be corrected or removed. This is a direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and deceptive reporting under FDCPA 1692. 
In accordance with the FCRA 611 ( a ) [ 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ], I am requesting that these disputed items be either verified or deleted from my credit record within 5 days. Failure to validate these items will require their removal, as per the legal obligations you are bound to under the FCRA. 
Additionally, pursuant to FDCPA 1692g and 1692b, I request that you provide me with the original purchase agreements, if any, for the accounts in question. Please understand that I am denying any and all claims regarding these accounts. I am not asking for proof of just my name or address because that is not the information in dispute. I require confirmation of the exact details received from the alleged original creditor for these accounts, as these details are crucial for compliance with the law. 
In adherence to the Privacy Act ( 5 U.S.C. 552a ), please provide all personal information in your files that has been retrieved using my name or Social Security number, as permitted under the law. I also request that you explain how and for what purpose you obtained my Social Security number in connection with these accounts. If you do not have written permission to disclose my personal information, then your disclosure is in violation of the Privacy Act. 
Failure to comply with these requests may result in further action, including legal remedies under the FDCPA and FCRA. I appreciate your assistance in addressing this matter promptly and await confirmation of receipt and the removal or correction of the disputed information from my credit report. 
Please be aware : I am inclined to exercise my rights under FCRA Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), civil penalties for violations related to incorrect reporting of credit information can include both actual and statutory damages, depending on whether the violation was willful or negligent. Here 's a breakdown of the potential penalties : 1. Willful Violations ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n ) If a company willfully violates the FCRA, the civil penalties include : Actual Damages : The consumer may recover actual damages they suffered as a result of the violation. This could include financial harm, emotional distress, and any other losses directly related to the incorrect reporting. 
Statutory Damages : If actual damages are difficult to quantify, statutory damages can range from {$100.00} to {$1000.00} per violation. 
Punitive Damages : In cases of willful violations, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter future violations. 
Attorney 's Fees : The consumer may also recover reasonable attorney 's fees and costs. 
2. Negligent Violations ( 15 U.S.C. 1681o ) For negligent violations of the FCRA, the penalties include : Actual Damages : The consumer may recover actual damages caused by the incorrect reporting. 
Attorney 's Fees : The consumer is also entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees and costs. 
3. Civil Penalties for Systematic Violations If the violation involves systematic non-compliance, such as failure to correct ongoing incorrect reporting over a prolonged period, regulators like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) can impose additional penalties, including : Monetary Fines : These can range up to {$4100.00} per violation per consumer under updated penalty guidelines ( adjusted annually for inflation ). 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Subject : Formal Dispute and Request for Investigation of Incorrect Information To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute inaccurate and deceptive information currently being reported on my credit file. This letter serves as my request for an immediate investigation into these reporting errors and a demand for compliance with federal laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) 15 U.S.C. 1692, the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681, and the Privacy Act ( 5 U.S.C. 552a ). 
The following accounts have been reporting incorrectly, particularly with charge-off statuses that are inaccurately showing balances : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is not my account I have no knowledge nor history with this account. Have them provide documented evidence for this entry PLEASE REMOVE 2. Collection Account XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX is not my account I have no knowledge nor history with this account. PLEASE REMOVE These above charge-off statuses should not be reporting balances and, therefore, must be Deleted /removed. This is a direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and deceptive reporting under FDCPA 1692. 
In accordance with the FCRA 611 ( a ) [ 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ], I am requesting that these disputed items be either verified or deleted from my credit record within 5 days. Failure to validate these items will require their removal, as per the legal obligations you are bound to under the FCRA. 
Additionally, pursuant to FDCPA 1692g and 1692b, I request that you provide me with the original purchase agreements, if any, for the accounts in question. Please understand that I am denying any and all claims regarding these accounts. I am not asking for proof of just my name or address because that is not the information in dispute. I require confirmation of the exact details received from the alleged original creditor for these accounts, as these details are crucial for compliance with the law. 
In adherence to the Privacy Act ( 5 U.S.C. 552a ), please provide all personal information in your files that has been retrieved using my name or Social Security number, as permitted under the law. I also request that you explain how and for what purpose you obtained my Social Security number in connection with these accounts. If you do not have written permission to disclose my personal information, then your disclosure is in violation of the Privacy Act. 
Failure to comply with these requests may result in further action, including legal remedies under the FDCPA and FCRA. I appreciate your assistance in addressing this matter promptly and await confirmation of receipt and the removal or correction of the disputed information from my credit report. 
Please be aware : I am inclined to exercise my rights under FCRA Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), civil penalties for violations related to incorrect reporting of credit information can include both actual and statutory damages, depending on whether the violation was willful or negligent. Here 's a breakdown of the potential penalties : 1. Willful Violations ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n ) If a company willfully violates the FCRA, the civil penalties include : Actual Damages : The consumer may recover actual damages they suffered as a result of the violation. This could include financial harm, emotional distress, and any other losses directly related to the incorrect reporting. 
Statutory Damages : If actual damages are difficult to quantify, statutory damages can range from {$100.00} to {$1000.00} per violation. 
Punitive Damages : In cases of willful violations, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter future violations. 
Attorney 's Fees : The consumer may also recover reasonable attorney 's fees and costs. 
2. Negligent Violations ( 15 U.S.C. 1681o ) For negligent violations of the FCRA, the penalties include : Actual Damages : The consumer may recover actual damages caused by the incorrect reporting. 
Attorney 's Fees : The consumer is also entitled to recover reasonable attorneys fees and costs. 
3. Civil Penalties for Systematic Violations If the violation involves systematic non-compliance, such as failure to correct ongoing incorrect reporting over a prolonged period, regulators like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) can impose additional penalties, including : Monetary Fines : These can range up to {$4100.00} per violation per consumer under updated penalty guidelines ( adjusted annually for inflation ). 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX