Consumer complaint received 2025-03-18 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
This letter serves as a final notice before I take legal action against Experian for willful violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and its failure to conduct a proper reinvestigation regarding my XXXX XXXX XXXX account. Despite my previous disputes and submission of irrefutable evidence proving the inaccuracy of this tradeline, Experian has engaged in the following unlawful conduct : 1. Conducting a Sham Investigation in Violation of FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) I disputed the XXXX XXXX XXXX account with Experian, providing a letter from XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX, which clearly states that the debt was transferred to XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. 
Additionally, XXXX XXXX responded to my CFPB complaint confirming that they are not collecting on or reporting this debt. 
Instead of conducting a lawful reinvestigation, Experian rubber-stamped the dispute as verified without obtaining any valid proof of XXXX 's continued ownership. 
This constitutes a sham investigation, as no reasonable effort was made to independently verify the accuracy of the account, violating FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ).

2. Continued Reporting of an Inaccurate and Misleading Account FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 3 ) Despite XXXX confirming it no longer owns the debt, Experian continues to report the account as a charge-off under XXXX, making it appear as though I still owe XXXX a balance. 
If XXXX no longer owns the account, they have no legal right to report it, yet Experian is allowing them to continue doing so. 
This misrepresentation has damaged my credit score and financial credibility and constitutes false credit reporting under FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 3 ). 
3. Failure to Correct Inaccuracies After Dispute FCRA 605 & 616 Under FCRA 605, Experian is required to remove inaccurate information that can not be properly verified. 
Experian was provided with concrete evidence proving the debt was transferred, yet it failed to correct or delete the erroneous information. 
This reckless disregard for accuracy demonstrates willful and negligent noncompliance with the FCRA, entitling me to compensation for damages. 
4. Potential Illegal Re-Aging of Debt FCRA 605 ( a ) If the Date of Last Activity ( DOLA ) or charge-off date was altered, this would constitute illegal re-aging, a deceptive credit reporting tactic used to extend the reporting period of negative accounts. 
Since XXXX no longer owns the debt, but Experian is still reporting it under their name with a charge-off, this suggests Experian is allowing manipulated reporting practices to artificially harm my credit. 
Experian regarding its continued failure to accurately report my credit information, despite multiple disputes and clear evidence proving the inaccuracy of an account listed under XXXX XXXX XXXX. Your reckless reporting practices have not only caused significant damage to my credit score but have also violated multiple provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), warranting immediate deletion and compensatory damages of {$1000.00} per violation per federal law. Disputed Account Information : Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX Acceptance Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Current Status : Charge-Off, Sold/Transferred Violations Committed by Equifax/Experian : 1. Failure to Conduct a Proper Reinvestigation FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) I have disputed this account multiple times, and each time, Equifax/Experian has failed to conduct an independent and reasonable reinvestigation as required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Instead of properly verifying the chain of title, ownership, and accuracy of the debt, your agency simply marked the account as " verified as accurate '' despite XXXX XXXX XXXX confirming in writing that the account was transferred to XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX and XXXX XXXX no longer attempting to collect or report it. 
2. Continued Misreporting of an Inaccurate Account FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 3 ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 3 ) ) XXXX XXXX XXXX is still being listed as a charge-off on my report, despite no longer owning the account. This is misleading, damaging, and inaccurate. Since XXXX XXXX has confirmed they are not collecting this debt, and XXXX has officially transferred ownership, there is NO legal basis for this account to continue being reported under XXXX or any entity. 
3. Willful & Negligent Noncompliance FCRA 616 & 617 ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n & 1681o ) Your continued failure to correct this issue, despite multiple disputes and clear documentation, is a willful violation of the FCRA. Your agency has recklessly disregarded the law, knowing that this account should not be reported, causing direct harm to my creditworthiness. Under FCRA 616 & 617, I am entitled to statutory damages of {$1000.00} per violation, in addition to actual damages and legal fees if this is not corrected immediately. 
4. Failure to Correct or Delete Inaccurate Information FCRA 605 ( a ) & FDCPA 809 ( b ) ( 15 U.S. Code 1681c & 1692g ) Your agency has had months to correct this reporting error, yet you continue to allow this false account to appear on my credit report, harming my creditworthiness. By knowingly keeping incorrect information on my report, you are in violation of multiple provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). My Formal Demand : Immediately delete this XXXX XXXX XXXX account from my credit report. 
Send written confirmation within 30 days that this account has been removed. Compensate me {$1000.00} per violation per FCRA guidelines for the ongoing harm your inaccurate reporting has caused. If my demands are not met, I will escalate this matter by filing a lawsuit against Equifax/Experian for willful and negligent violations of the FCRA and FDCPA, and I will also report this case to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and my states Attorney Generals Office for immediate action. Despite my previous disputes and submission of concrete evidence proving the inaccuracy of the XXXX XXXX XXXX account, your agency has negligently and willfully A fair resolution for both Experian and Equifax should include the following : 1. Immediate Deletion of the Inaccurate Account The XXXX XXXX XXXX account must be removed entirely from my credit report since XXXX no longer owns it, and XXXX XXXX is not reporting it. 2 Official Method of Verification ( MOV ) Response They must provide a detailed explanation of how they " verified '' this account despite the clear proof of ownership transfer and XXXX XXXX  confirmation that they are not reporting it. If they can not prove how they verified it, they must admit that their previous verification process was flawed. Financial Compensation for FCRA Violations Under FCRA 616 & 617, consumers are entitled to {$1000.00} per violation for willful noncompliance. Since they have been falsely reporting this account for months despite disputes, a reasonable settlement amount would be : {$2000.00} - {$5000.00} per bureau for damages and negligence. Official Letter of Resolution & Credit Repair Assistance They must send written confirmation stating that : The account has been deleted. They acknowledge the reporting error. They will assist with restoring your credit if it was damaged by this error. Removal of Any Late Payment History Associated with This Account If late payments related to this account are still showing, those must be removed as well, since ownership of the debt has changed. In the case of XXXXXXXX XXXX Equifax Information Services , LLC, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ), the court ruled that CRAs have an obligation to conduct a reasonable investigation when a consumer disputes inaccurate information. The ruling emphasized that the CRA can not simply rely on the information provided by the furnisher of the data without conducting an independent investigation. The court found that the CRAs failure to properly investigate the dispute and resolve it within the required 30-day period was a violation of the FCRA. Moreover, the case XXXX XXXX Equifax Information Services, LLC, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX ), clarified that if a CRA is unable to verify the accuracy of the disputed information, it is obligated to delete or correct the inaccurate information. The court held that under the FCRA, if a CRA can not verify the disputed information within the statutory period, it must remove the item from the consumers credit report. Given these legal precedents, I respectfully request that you proceed with resolving my dispute in compliance with the FCRA. I have already provided all the necessary documentation to substantiate my claim. If you are unable to verify the disputed information within the required 30-day period, I ask that you delete the entry from my credit report. Failed to conduct a proper reinvestigation as required by FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ). Continued reporting a charge-off under XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX despite the debt being transferred and XXXX no longer owning the account, violating FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 3 ). Allowed misleading and fraudulent data reporting that damaged my credit profile, potentially violating FCRA 605 ( a ) through illegal re-aging. Refused to correct, update, or delete this account, despite receiving proof from both XXXX and XXXX XXXX that ownership was transferred, in violation of FCRA 616 & 617. Engaged in willful and negligent noncompliance, damaging my financial standing, for which I am entitled to statutory damages of {$1000.00} per violation, plus punitive damages.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation