Consumer complaint received 2025-02-06 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: LA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX [ Phone Number ] [ Date ] Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Subject : Formal Notification of FTC Complaint and Equifaxs Continued Violations of the FCRA To Whom It May Concern, I am formally notifying Equifax that I am escalating my complaint by filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) , as Equifax has repeatedly failed to address my disputes in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Your continued refusal to process my Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Identity Theft Report electronically and instead insisting on mail-based verification is a clear violation of federal consumer rights. The CFPB has already ruled that consumer disputes can be processed electronically, and Equifaxs obstructionist approach is both illegal and unethical. 

This complaint will also be re-submitted to the CFPB, including proof of my identity and address, to further highlight Equifaxs bad-faith handling of my disputes. 

1. Equifaxs Denial of My FTC Report Violates Federal Consumer Protection Laws Equifax is unlawfully refusing to process my FTC Identity Theft Report by claiming that verification must be completed via postal mail. This requirement is not mandated by federal law and is a deliberate attempt to obstruct my dispute resolution process. 
FCRA Section 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( XXXX U.S.C. XXXX ( a ) ( 1 ) ) states that CRAs must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation upon receiving a dispute. By refusing to process my FTC report electronically, Equifax is creating unnecessary barriers to delay or deny my dispute. 
The CFPB has ruled that electronic dispute submissions, including FTC reports, must be processed if the consumer provides sufficient identifying information. 
Equifaxs refusal to process my FTC complaint electronically constitutes a procedural failure under the FCRA and an unfair and deceptive practice under the Dodd-Frank Act ( XXXX U.S.C. XXXX ). 

This obstruction delays the resolution of my dispute, prolongs the inaccurate reporting of my credit file, and continues to cause financial harm. 

2. XXXX XXXX Violations of FCRA Section 623 ( XXXX U.S.C. XXXX  ) Equifaxs blind reliance on XXXX XXXX Automated Credit Dispute Verification ( ACDV ) responses violates my rights under FCRA Section 623, which requires furnishers to provide accurate and complete information to CRAs. 

A. Timing of Notice Not Provided Within 30 Days XXXX XXXX has never provided proof that it sent me a legally required written notice within 30 days of furnishing negative information to Equifax. 
FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 7 ) ( XXXX U.S.C. XXXX ( a ) ( 7 ) ) mandates that furnishers provide a timely written notice to consumers when negative information is reported. 
Despite multiple requests, neither XXXX XXXX nor Equifax has provided : A copy of the written notice of negative reporting. 
Proof of mailing or tracking information showing the notice was sent. 
A detailed timeline of when Equifax received and verified the negative report. 

Without this documentation, the reporting of the XXXX XXXX accounts is unlawful and must be removed immediately. 

B. Manipulated Payment History with No Supporting Documentation XXXX XXXX reporting on my credit file contains false, misleading, and unverifiable payment history, and Equifax has failed to ensure that this information is accurate. 
XXXX. XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) ** Reported as charged off, yet Equifax continues to update it with incremental late payments ( 30, 60, 90, 120+ days ). 
FCRA Section 605 ( a ) ( 4 ) prohibits extending the seven-year reporting period beyond the original delinquency date. 
Equifaxs reporting of this account artificially extends its impact on my credit score, which is both misleading and illegal. 
XXXX. XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) ** The account history reflects OK payments but also includes a 90-day late marker, which is contradictory and inaccurate. 
FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) prohibits furnishers from knowingly providing false or incomplete information to credit bureaus. 
Equifax has failed to require XXXX XXXX to provide supporting documentation that justifies the reported late payment history. 

Since no supporting documentation has been provided, Equifax must either : 1. Immediately delete the inaccurate payment history from my credit report, or 2. Provide legally valid verification proving that XXXX XXXX reporting is accurate. 

3. Equifaxs History of Sham Investigations and Regulatory Violations Equifax has a long history of violating the FCRA and misleading consumers with sham investigations. 
Equifaxs recent {$15.00} XXXX FCRA settlement proves a systemic pattern of failure to properly investigate consumer disputes. 
Your response to my dispute follows the same pattern of negligenceblindly accepting ACDV responses from furnishers without requiring proper documentation. 

Equifaxs refusal to properly investigate my dispute and its ongoing collaboration with XXXX XXXX in reporting inaccurate information constitute willful noncompliance with federal law. 

4. FTC Complaint & Regulatory Action Request Since Equifax continues to ignore FCRA obligations, I have formally submitted an FTC complaint detailing : Equifaxs obstruction of my FTC Identity Theft Report submission and refusal to process it electronically. 
XXXX XXXX violations of Section 623 for failing to provide timely notice or supporting documentation for negative reporting. 
Equifaxs failure to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation under Section 611. 

Additionally, I am re-escalating this matter with the CFPB, including : Proof of my address and identity to prevent further delays in resolution. 
A full timeline of Equifaxs failure to process my dispute properly. 
A request for immediate regulatory penalties for Equifaxs continued bad-faith investigations. 

5. Demands for Immediate Action To resolve this matter, I demand that Equifax : 1. Immediately remove the XXXX XXXX accounts ( XXXX and XXXX  ) from my credit report, as they are being reported inaccurately and without legal justification. 
2. Provide full documentation verifying XXXX XXXX reporting, including : Proof that a legally required notice was sent to me within 30 days of negative reporting. 
All communications between Equifax and XXXX XXXX regarding the disputed accounts. 
3. Provide written confirmation of account removal within 10 business days. 

Final Notice Failure to comply will result in : A formal FTC investigation into Equifaxs obstruction of consumer dispute processing. 
A renewed CFPB complaint with supporting evidence. 
Potential legal action against Equifax for willful FCRA violations, seeking statutory and punitive damages. 

This is Equifaxs final opportunity to correct its illegal reporting practices before further legal and regulatory consequences are pursued.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief