Consumer complaint received 2025-07-28 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint regarding multiple inaccurate and unverifiable entries on my credit report, which I have attempted to dispute previously but have not received any satisfactory resolution. The listed information is damaging, misleading, and in many cases a direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and my consumer rights. I respectfully request the CFPB to assist in a full investigation and demand correction and/or deletion of the following : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX FL XXXX Wrong Address Issue : This address is not associated with me in any way, shape, or form. I never lived there, received mail there, or used it for any credit or personal activity Law : FCRA 1681e ( b ) requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain maximum possible accuracy. Including a false address directly violates this provision Story : Due to this false address appearing on my credit report, I have been denied applications, flagged for fraud alerts, and was forced to provide excessive documentation for simple services. It has become a source of confusion, stress, and reputational damage XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX | Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | Balance : {$700.00} Late Payment * * Issue : Late payment being reported during a temporary hardship that was communicated to the creditor Law : FCRA 1681s-2 prohibits the reporting of inaccurate information by data furnishers Story : During a serious illness in my family, I contacted the creditor to explain my delay and was assured leniency. Despite this, they reported the late payment. This does not reflect my payment history or my character, and it continues to unfairly harm me XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | Balance : {$670.00} Late Payment * * Issue : Inaccurate late reporting without giving me the opportunity to rectify the issue Law : FCRA 1681i requires a proper investigation when information is disputed Story : I attempted to make the payment on time, but due to a glitch in the online system, the payment did not go through. I contacted their support immediately and was told it would be resolved. However, they still reported me as late. This is deeply unfair and misleading XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  | Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | Balance : {$140.00} Late Payment * * Issue : Reported late payment is inaccurate and unverifiable Law : FCRA XXXX ( a ) mandates that furnishers must not report information that is known to be inaccurate Story : I never received a billing statement or any form of notice before being marked late. When I finally learned about it, I paid the balance in full. The late payment is unjust and misrepresents my intent and actions XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | Balance : {$930.00} Late Payment * * Issue : This account was on auto-pay and I received no notice of a failed payment Law : FCRA 1681e ( b ) mandates maximum accuracy in data Story : My account was on auto-payment, and I was shocked to learn of a late mark. I checked and found out there had been a payment processing error on their end, not mine. I resolved it immediately, but they refused to remove the late payment. This is not just misleading, its damaging XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | Balance : {$970.00} Late Payment * * Issue : Reported late despite being enrolled in a payment plan Law : FCRA 1681c-2 allows consumers to dispute and block information resulting from certain circumstances Story : I had a payment arrangement due to financial hardship from temporary unemployment. XXXX XXXX agreed to the plan, but still marked me late. This is both a breach of trust and reporting guidelines, and the damage to my score is undeserved XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX | Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | Balance : {$0.00} Late Payment * * Issue : Account is closed and paid, yet shows derogatory late payment Law : FCRA 1681c limits the reporting of obsolete information Story : This account was settled and paid years ago. It is now being reported with late payments, which is outdated and prejudicial. Keeping this on my report is a form of continued punishment for an account that was responsibly closed XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | Balance : {$0.00} Late Payment * * Issue : A paid-off account still reflecting as late Law : FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ) obligates furnishers to promptly update or correct information Story : This account was paid and closed, yet it continues to show a late payment, which causes confusion and unfair negative scoring. This error needs urgent correction as it falsely suggests ongoing risk XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX | Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | Balance : {$1900.00} Collection * * Issue : I never received validation or communication about this debt Law : FDCPA 809 and FCRA 1681g require validation and transparency Story : This debt was never verified or explained to me, and I only learned of it through a credit check. Ive contacted the collection agency, but they failed to provide proof of debt ownership. It must be removed until verified XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | Balance : {$1900.00} Duplicate Collection * * Issue : Duplicate reporting of the same debt Law : FCRA 1681e ( b ) prohibits the reporting of duplicative or misleading data Story : This same account is being reported twice under slightly different names, which makes my debt appear larger than it is and reduces my creditworthiness. One of these must be deleted immediately XXXX Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXX Hard Inquiry Issue : Unauthorized hard inquiry with no application submitted Law : FCRA 604 ( a ) ( 3 ) requires permissible purpose for pulling a credit report Story : I never applied for anything with this institution. This inquiry dropped my score and created the false impression that Im actively seeking credit, which is harmful and inaccurate XXXX Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXX Hard Inquiry Issue : No known relationship or consent for this pull Law : FCRA XXXX Story : This company pulled my credit without authorization. I fear my identity may be at risk due to such unauthorized access XXXX Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXX Hard Inquiry XXXX Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXX Hard Inquiry Issue : These multiple inquiries are unrecognized, unapproved, and unauthorized Law : FCRA 604 requires that each inquiry must have a valid, documented permissible purpose Story : I was shocked to find these inquiries on my credit file. I never gave written or verbal consent, nor did I apply for financing with these companies. These hits have significantly hurt my credit score and misrepresent my financial behavior Relief Requested : I respectfully request the CFPB to assist in compelling the data furnishers and credit bureaus to : 1. Remove the wrong address 2. Correct or delete the inaccurate late payment records 3. Remove duplicate collection entries 4. Delete all unauthorized hard inquiries 5. Provide a written investigation result under FCRA 611 within 30 days Failure to correct these errors would justify further legal action, including complaints to the FTC and private legal consultation under the FCRA and FDCPA for damages.

Thank you for your help in enforcing fair credit reporting.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief