Consumer complaint received 2024-01-19
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (CA)

Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am writing to bring to your attention the ongoing violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) by Equifax in connection with my dispute, which was submitted on XXXX. According to FCRA provisions ( 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a6 ) & 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a7 ) ), Equifax is required to investigate and respond promptly to consumer disputes. 

Regrettably, I have received generic stall letters from Equifax, with no meaningful updates or progress on the investigation. I am deeply frustrated by the apparent delay and lack of transparency in resolving my dispute. I will include the documents Ive received from them that go past the timeline for investigation to this matter. Ill also Include my tracking numbers as well as a timeline to when they received my letters as they had ample time to correct the mistakes. 

Timeline XX/XX/XXXX Sent Letter No response for 30 days so sent Failure to respond letter, equifax received on XX/XX/XXXX Postmarked XX/XX/XXXX I Received letter from equifax Responded with asking for verification of the reinvestigation XX/XX/XXXX delivered to equifax Received letter XXXX but postmarked XX/XX/XXXX Furthermore, I would like to highlight two crucial provisions under the FCRA : 15 U.S. Code 1681s2 - Responsibilities of furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies, Duty of furnishers of information to provide accurate information : ( A ) Prohibition A person shall not furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate. 

15 U.S. Code 1681i - Procedure in case of disputed accuracy, Treatment of inaccurate or unverifiable information : ( A ) In general If, after any reinvestigation under paragraph ( 1 ) of any information disputed by a consumer, an item of the information is found to be inaccurate or incomplete or can not be verified, the consumer reporting agency shall ( i ) promptly delete that item of information from the file of the consumer, or modify that item of information, as appropriate, based on the results of the reinvestigation; and ( ii ) promptly notify the furnisher of that information that the information has been modified or deleted from the file of the consumer. 

I demand immediate action from Equifax to cease stalling and conduct a thorough investigation as required by the FCRA. The FCRA clearly stipulates a 30-day timeframe for investigation and timely response, and I insist on compliance. 

Additionally, I had requested specific information from Equifax and did not receive a response. Your response to me should include the following at a minimum : Please explain to me what your representatives uncovered to lead them to believe that you are reporting this item as it legally should be reported? 

What certified documents were reviewed to conclude your investigation? 

Please provide a complete copy of all of the information that was transmitted to the data furnisher as part of the investigation. 

What did it cost your company to obtain the documents needed to complete your investigation? 

Please provide proof of your timely procurement of certified documents. 

Did you speak directly to any agent of the company that was reporting the information to confirm the accuracy of what you are reporting? 
a. If yes to above : i. Who did you speak to? 
ii. On what date? 
iii. How long was the conversation? 
iv. What was their position? 
v. What telephone number did you call? 
vi. What is the name of the employee of your company that spoke directly to the above party? 
vii. What is the position of the employee of your company that spoke directly to the above party? 
viii. How long has that employee been employed by your company? 
ix. What formal training was provided to this employee to investigate items of this kind? 
x. Was there any e-mail or written communication between members of your company and the above party? 

Provide copies of all correspondence ; supply copies of any and all conclusive documentation to prove that you have in fact conducted a reasonable investigation of the account in question. 

Provide the date of the commencement of delinquency. 

Provide the SPECIFIC date reporting that these items will cease. 

I expect to receive a satisfactory response within the stipulated time frame. Failure to address my concerns promptly may result in further escalation of this matter. 

Please find enclosed a list of items that were included in my dispute letter and must be deleted from Equifax 's systems. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) - ( XXXX ) - Dated : XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) - ( XXXX ) - Dated : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) - ( XXXX ) - Dated : XXXX Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX