Consumer complaint received 2016-03-26
Product: Credit reporting — 
Issue: Credit reporting company's investigation — Problem with statement of dispute
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (GA)

Overview of Problem -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Despite providing clear and convincing evidence that proves beyond any doubt that I paid a lien in XXXX XXXX, Equifax will not change my credit report to reflect the correct payment date. 


Details -- -- -- - I paid a XXXX ( XXXX ) state tax lien in full XXXX XXXX. 

The XXXX failed to report the payment to the XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) for recording until XXXX XXXX, over 2 years late. 

Because the XXXX records the release date as the date the XXXX transmits the information, the public record reports the release date as XXXX XXXX. 

After the release was filed in XXXX XXXX, I requested the XXXX record a corrected document stating the proper release date of XXXX XXXX. 

The XXXX would not record a corrected release, so I requested help from the XXXX commissioner in correcting this error. The XXXX was successful in getting the XXXX to add a notation to the official record that the payment was made in XXXX XXXX, but the XXXX still would not refile the release with the correct date. 

I submitted a request to Equifax that this be changed on my credit report. The result stated that the item was reporting correctly and thus was not removed. The notation made by the XXXX was evidently not enough proof. 

In XXXX, I wrote to the new XXXX commissioner. This resulted in the local XXXX providing a signed letter stating that the improper recording date was not my fault, and that I paid the full amount in XXXX XXXX. 

I again submitted a dispute to Equifax. 

Equifax responded stating the item was not even reporting on my credit file. I have to assume they did not understand how to cross-reference the XXXX records with the XXXX 's records. I then called Equifax at the number provided and spoke to two phone representatives. Neither provided satisfactory answers to my questions and I requested a supervisor. I was transferred to someone in Equifax 's office of consumer affairs ( name withheld ). This person was professional and courteous, and helpful to a point. 

The person listened to my concerns, but even with the clear evidence including an original, signed copy of the letter from the XXXX stating the correct payment date, the person would not make the correction. The person agreed to resubmit the dispute to the XXXX with all of the information I had provided. 

The result of their new investigation was the same. They still claim the item is reporting correctly and will not remove it from my report. 

To recap, the XXXX may be the reporting agency, but they are NOT the party to which the money was owed. In the mind of the XXXX, they are reporting the item correctly. However, the party to which the money was owed, the XXXX, confirms payment was made in full in XXXX XXXX. The XXXX also acknowledges it did not transmit the payoff information to the XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) in a timely manner for recording. In fact, it was over 2 years late. 

Therefore, this item 's payment date should be reflected correctly on my credit report. If so, it will be well past the seven year threshold for removal. 

Companies that wield as much power over consumers as does Equifax should be held to an extremely high standard. In my opinion, the company falls well below such a standard. They have not gone beyond a cursory check of public records to examine the evidence I 've provided and report this item correctly in my credit file. This practice is resulting in derogatory information on my credit report which should not be included. 

The XXXX has attempted to help me twice to correct their error. I want Equifax to do the right thing and correct my report. 

Reference docs uploaded : -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 ) Official check for payment 2 ) 'Release of State Tax Execution ' updated with correct payment date 3 ) Letter from XXXX stating correct payment date