Consumer complaint received 2023-07-31
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC. (CA)

Complaint:
I am writing to file a formal complaint against TransUnion, a nationwide credit reporting agency, for their severe violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and California Consumer Law. I seek validation of the disputed items on my credit report, not mere verification, and TransUnion 's response dated XX/XX/2023, has failed to address this request appropriately, resulting in significant financial and emotional harm. 

In their response letter, TransUnion acknowledged my dispute and emphasized their commitment to ensuring an accurate credit report. However, their response solely focuses on verification actions, rather than providing the validation I requested. I must emphasize that verification and validation are distinct processes, each with specific legal obligations under the FCRA, FDCPA, and California Consumer Law. 

The FCRA, in 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), grants consumers the right to dispute any information they believe to be inaccurate or incomplete. Upon receipt of such dispute, credit reporting agencies like TransUnion are obligated to conduct a reasonable investigation, as stated in 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ), to determine the accuracy of the disputed information. Furthermore, 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) allows consumers to request " verification '' of the debt, while California Consumer Law recognizes the right to request " validation '' of the debt. 

Validation, as defined by California Civil Code 1788.50 ( g ), requires the debt collector or credit reporting agency to provide the consumer with specific information about the debt, including the nature and amount of the debt, the name of the original creditor, and verification that the consumer is responsible for the debt. 

Despite this distinction, TransUnion 's response solely addresses verification actions and neglects to provide the necessary validation I requested. This failure to adhere to my request for validation is a clear violation of my rights under the FCRA, FDCPA, and California Consumer Law. 

Moreover, the response letter lacks transparency and fails to provide adequate details regarding the investigation conducted. The vague and ambiguous statements from TransUnion deny me the opportunity to assess the accuracy and completeness of their investigation, further undermining my rights as a consumer. 

As a direct consequence of TransUnion 's violations, I have suffered substantial financial and emotional harm. The inaccurate reporting has unjustly denied me credit opportunities, resulting in adverse effects on my financial standing and overall lifestyle, as previously explained in my dispute to XXXX.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief