Consumer complaint received 2025-01-15 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Public record information inaccurate
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint to request the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 's ( CFPB ) assistance in resolving errors on my credit report. Specifically, I am requesting that the CFPB help me to have late payments and other negative marks removed from my credit report that resulted from erroneous information maintained by Consumer Reporting Agencies, the federal courts, and the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. This false information has had a devastating impact on my life, causing prolonged periods of unemployment, underemployment, and financial instability. Late payments and closed accounts listed on my credit report between XXXX are not my fault, but the direct result of systemic issues relating to mistakes in records maintained by the federal courts and county law enforcement agencies. Erroneous information described in detail below was improperly used to determine my employment eligibility and thus my creditworthiness. Late payments and closed accounts listed on my credit report between XXXX were not my faultbut were a result of errors in my federal and county background reportthat were beyond my control. Specifically, I request that the CFPB help me : Remove negative entries on my credit report ( occurring between XXXX ), including late payments and closed accounts, resulting from erroneous information referenced immediately above. 

Adjust my credit score upward to reflect the removal of these negative marks. 

Background I was falsely accused of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, despite being convicted of only non-violent offenses and granted XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ) ). This misinformation was perpetuated by the United States XXXX XXXX for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Florida XXXX XXXX XXXX ) and was later disseminated to Consumer Reporting Agencies. 

Additionally, I have been victimized by a clerical error in XXXX XXXX records, which incorrectly indicated that I had an outstanding federal felony warrant, which was incorrectly reported by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, leaving a long-released detainer falsely appearing as an active federal warrant on background checks, unjustly jeopardized my livelihood and job opportunities until his lawyer intervened and compelled the county to finally rectify their mistake ). This error was previously brought to the attention of Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX in XXXX, and I requested corrections to my credit report at that time. However, I would like to emphasize that the current request, which pertains to the separate error of federal records falsely accusing me of committing a violent crime with a machinegun, should be considered separately. While the cumulative effect of these two separate errors has significantly impacted my credit rating, ability to pay, and late payments, the correction of this new issue is crucial, as it has independently contributed to the deterioration of my creditworthiness. 

Impact of Errors The errors on my credit report have had a devastating impact on my financial stability and creditworthiness. Specifically : The late payments and closed accounts have resulted in a significant decrease in my credit score, making it difficult for me to obtain credit or loans. 

The errors have led to prolonged periods of unemployment and underemployment, as potential employers have denied me employment opportunities due to the false information on my credit report ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX ). 

I have faced discriminatory treatment by employers, who have treated me differently due to the false information, leading to termination for minor issues and stifling my chances of advancement or upward mobility ( Pager, XXXX ). 

The errors have resulted in my not being hired, as employers tend to disapprove of prospective employees with histories of violent crimes more than those charged with drug crimes ( XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

The cumulative effect of these errors has led to long-term consequences, including significant loss of income and opportunities, which have accumulated since my release and have had a lasting impact on my financial stability and creditworthiness ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ). 

Employer Reluctance to Hire Candidates with XXXX XXXX XXXX has consistently shown that employers are reluctant to hire candidates with outstanding warrants due to concerns about potential future criminal activity, perceived risk to workplace safety, legal liability from negligent hiring lawsuits, and the stigma associated with a criminal record ( XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX records indicating an outstanding federal XXXX XXXX  have had a direct impact on my employability. Despite my efforts to correct the error, the warrant has been reported by background check companies, including XXXX, leading to denial of employment opportunities. 
Specific Examples of Impact The erroneous information has been disseminated to various background check companies, including : XXXX XXXX, which resulted in my being denied employment ( XXXX XXXX XXXX for a position at a law firm ( XX/XX/XXXX ) ' XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, which reported the false information to a potential employer : Stand Together, who subsequently terminated my employment on XX/XX/XXXX which can be linked to this false information dealing with allegations I had committed a violent crime involving a machinegun ; XXXX, which also reported the false information, leading to denial of employment opportunities with other companies ( eg. XXXX ). 

Emotional and Psychological Impact The errors on my credit report have also taken a significant toll on my mental health and well-being. The stress and XXXX  caused by these errors have affected my relationships and overall quality of life. As a father of XXXX XXXX daughters, ages XXXX and XXXX, I am deeply concerned about the impact of these errors on their well-being and future. The financial instability caused by these errors has made it difficult for me to provide for my family 's basic needs, let alone plan for their future education and well-being. 
Prior Efforts to Address These Issues I have previously brought attention to these issues through various channels : In XX/XX/XXXX, during Second Chance Month, I participated in a listening session at the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( DoJ ) with the XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, I participated in another listening session hosted by the Federal Trade Commission and the XXXX XXXX XXXX on background checks. 

I have also written about my experiences with erroneous credit reporting in a XXXX article, " Major Victory : Removing False Information from My Record '' ( XXXX, XXXX ), available at XXXX : XXXX? XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

Supporting Documentation I have attached documentation supporting my request, including : A court order correcting the clerical error on my federal docket sheet. 

My emergency motion to correct clerical error. 

The government 's response to my motion to correct clerical error ( acknowledging the error ). 

A letter from my lawyer and documentation from the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX acknowledging the error and removing the incorrect information from their database. 

Records showing the negative financial consequences resulting from the erroneous information. 

Background reports from XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX XXXX, demonstrating the impact of the errors on my employment prospects. 

President Obama 's XXXX granting me XXXX clemency. 

XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. ( XXXX ). Consumer reporting complaints. 

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XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation