Consumer complaint received 2025-04-15 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
This is a new identity theft complaint related to an account that was closed but continues to appear on my Experian credit report in deceptive and misleading form. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX added a fraudulent utility collection account to my credit report on behalf of XXXX XXXX. I have never lived in XXXX XXXX, have no utility account with them, and my utilities are covered under XXXX XXXX XXXX. I am a verified victim of identity theft and have been enrolled in the federal XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. My data was also compromised in the Equifax breach, and I am a named party in the class-action lawsuit. 

After disputing the fraudulent account, XXXX changed the status to Closed, but the account still appears in the " Collections '' section of my Experian file. The comments falsely state Account in dispute under Fair Credit Billing Act, which does not apply to debt collectors or utility bills and appears to be a misuse of legal codes to avoid liability.

____________________________________________________________________ The entry : Is still visible under Collection Accounts as of XX/XX/XXXX Shows no balance or payment history, but is still present Contradicts the summary section of my Experian report, which says Collections : XXXX This contradictory reporting violates federal law, including : FCRA 623 ( a ) : Providing inaccurate or misleading information FCRA 605B : Failing to block identity theft-related data FDCPA 807 ( 2 ) ( A ) : Misrepresenting the legal status of a debt UDAAP : Using deceptive credit reporting language My original CFPB complaint ( XXXX ) addressed the unverified collection being added. This complaint addresses new violations after the original one was closed specifically, continued reporting under false pretenses and deceptive legal language. 

This entry damaged my credit, caused me to lose a {$480000.00} mortgage approval, forced me into emergency housing, and retraumatized me as a protected victim. I am requesting permanent deletion of this account, federal investigation into XXXX conduct, and restitution. 
____________________________________________________________________ Red Flag : If this was ever a valid collection, it would list the original balance and/or a settled, paid in full, or charge-off status.

But instead : It says Paid off, while showing no payment, no balance, no updates this is misrepresentation.

Violation : FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) : Reporting inaccurate or incomplete information FDCPA 807 ( 2 ) ( A ) : Misrepresenting the character, amount, or legal status of the debt ___________________________________________________________________ Status : NO STATUS + Status updated : They're literally reporting an account with no legal status, no dates, and no balance... but still attaching dispute remarks and leaving it on file.

Violation : FCRA 605B : They should have BLOCKED this account from appearing at all after being notified it was identity theft UDAAP : Deceptive furnishing of ambiguous tradelines to avoid lawsuits while keeping the record in your report ____________________________________________________________________

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation