Consumer complaint received 2025-01-27 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: AR

Complaint narrative:
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to file a formal complaint against XXXX for improperly handling my credit report disputes. I have previously submitted a dispute directly to XXXX regarding inaccuracies on my credit report. However, the investigation conducted was insufficient. The representative stated that they do not require or mandate creditors or collection agencies to provide documentation verifying the information ; they can simply rely on hearsay from creditors and consider it validated. This information was given to me on XX/XX/XXXX, when I inquired about why my reports contain inaccuracies. I have reason to believe that XXXX violated federal regulations governing credit reporting practices, specifically the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

Summary of Discrepancies : Account ( s ) Involved : XXXX XXXX XXXX Address XXXX, MI XXXX Phone number ( XXXX ) XXXX Balance {$340.00} Balance updated XX/XX/XXXX Date opened XX/XX/XXXX Account type Debt Buyer Status Collection account. {$340.00} past due as of XX/XX/XXXX. 

Status updated XX/XX/XXXX Comments Account information disputed by consume XXXX XXXX XXXX Balance {$20000.00} Balance updated XX/XX/XXXX Date opened XX/XX/XXXX Account type Collection Status Collection account. {$20000.00} past due as of XX/XX/XXXX. 

Status updated XX/XX/XXXX Comments Account information disputed by consumer XXXX XXXX XXXX Balance {$1800.00} Balance updated XX/XX/XXXX Date opened XX/XX/XXXX Account type Collection Collection account. {$1800.00} past due as of XX/XX/XXXX. 

Status updated XX/XX/XXXX Account previously in dispute - investigation complete, reported by data furnisher XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX Phone number ( XXXX ) XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Original balance {$1000.00} Open/closed Closed Date opened XX/XX/XXXX Account type Collection account. {$1000.00} past due as of XX/XX/XXXX. 

Status updated XX/XX/XXXX Original balance {$1000.00} Additional info Responsibility Individual Terms 1 Month Company sold XXXX XXXX  Balance {$0.00} Balance updated XX/XX/XXXX Account info Open/closed Closed Date opened XX/XX/XXXX Account type Charge Card Payment summary Status Account charged off. {$340.00} written off. 

Status updated XX/XX/XXXX Highest balance $ 341 Monthly payment - Additional info Responsibility Individual Terms - Company sold - Original creditor - Comments Purchased by another lender Your statement - Contact info Address XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Phone number ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Credit usage XXXX % Balance {$220.00} Balance updated XX/XX/XXXX Credit limit {$2500.00} Account info Open/closed Closed Date opened XX/XX/XXXX Account type Charge Card Status Account charged off. {$220.00} written off. {$120.00} past due as of XX/XX/XXXX. 

Status updated XX/XX/XXXX Past due amount {$120.00} Highest balance {$240.00} Last payment date XX/XX/XXXX Additional info Responsibility Individual Company sold Contact info Address XXXX, NV XXXX Phone number ( XXXX ) XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Credit usage 100 % Balance {$580.00} Balance updated XX/XX/XXXX Credit limit {$400.00} Account info Open/closed Closed Date opened XX/XX/XXXX Account type Credit card Account charged off. {$580.00} written off. {$580.00} past due as of XX/XX/XXXX. 

Status updated XX/XX/XXXX Past due amount {$580.00} Highest balance {$580.00} Last payment date XX/XX/XXXX Additional info Responsibility Individual Comments Account information disputed by consumer Contact info Address XXXX XXXX, SD XXXX Phone number ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXddress XXXX XXXX AR XXXX Phone number ( XXXX ) XXXX Balance details XXXX  % paid off Balance {$1500.00} Balance updated XX/XX/XXXX Original balance {$1700.00} Account info Open/closed Closed Date opened XX/XX/XXXX Account type Unsecured Payment summary Status Account charged off. {$1500.00} written off. {$1500.00} past due as of XX/XX/XXXX. 

Status updated XX/XX/XXXX Current amount {$1500.00} Original balance {$1700.00} Last payment date XX/XX/XXXX Additional info Responsibility Individual Terms 36 Months XXXX sold Account information disputed by consumer Inaccurate Inquires XXXX Inquiries Inaccurate Personal Information Name - ( XXXX XXXXXXXX ) Names : ( XXXX XXXX ) Please read the following as it pertains to each creditor listed above in this notice. 

These are violations they have violated and violated my rights as a consumer per XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This law covers civil liability for intentionally failing to comply with consumer protection requirements. 

It states that consumers can sue for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney 's fees. 

It also applies to obtaining consumer reports under false pretenses. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This law prohibits covered persons and service providers from violating federal consumer financial laws. 

It also prohibits unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices. 

XXXX XXXX. XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This law prohibits providing inaccurate information about consumers to consumer reporting agencies. 

It also states that a person can not provide inaccurate information after being notified by the consumer. 

And which states it charged off and a cancelled debt. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX is a law that regulates how debt collectors can validate debts. It requires debt collectors to send consumers a written notice that includes information about the debt. The law also requires debt collectors to stop collecting debts if the consumer disputes the debt. 

XXXX stated they do not require or mandate a creditor to provide documentation to validate debts. XXXX XXXX was told creditors did not have to provide a method of verification by XXXX rep on XX/XX/XXXX, via audio phone call. 

XXXX XXXX. XXXX is a section of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) that governs how debt XXXX communicate with consumers. It prohibits debt collectors from communicating with consumers without their consent, or at inconvenient times or places. ( a ) Communication with the consumer generally Without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, a debt collector may not communicate with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt ( 1 ) at any unusual time or place or a time or place known or which should be known to be inconvenient to the consumer. In the absence of knowledge of circumstances to the contrary, a debt collector shall assume that the convenient time for communicating with a consumer is after 8 oclock antemeridian and before 9 oclock postmeridian, local time at the consumers location ; ( 2 ) if the debt collector knows the consumer is represented by an attorney with respect to such debt and has knowledge of, or can readily ascertain, such attorneys name and address, unless the attorney fails to respond within a reasonable period of time to a communication from the debt collector or unless the attorney consents to direct communication with the consumer; or ( 3 ) at the consumers place of employment if the debt collector knows or has reason to know that the consumers employer prohibits the consumer from receiving such communication. 

( b ) Communication with third parties Except as provided in section XXXX of this title, without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a postjudgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate, in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector. 

( c ) Ceasing communication If a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that the consumer refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wishes the debt collector to cease further communication with the consumer, the debt collector shall not communicate further with the consumer with respect to such debt, except ( 1 ) to advise the consumer that the debt collectors further efforts are being terminated ; ( 2 ) to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by such debt collector or creditor; or ( 3 ) where applicable, to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor intends to invoke a specified remedy. 

If such notice from the consumer is made by mail, notification shall be complete upon receipt. 


Despite providing clear evidence of these discrepancies, XXXX failed to thoroughly investigate the dispute or resolve the inaccuracies in accordance with the law. The results of their investigation were erroneous and not in line with the documentation I submitted. Additionally, XXXX failed to perform the required due diligence, which is a violation of my rights under the FCRA. 

Alleged Violations : Failure to Correct Inaccurate Information : XXXX did not adequately verify or correct the inaccuracies within the 30-day timeframe mandated by the FCRA.

Improper Investigation : The investigation conducted was incomplete and did not take into account all the relevant documentation provided by me. 

Failure to Notify or Provide Explanation : After submitting my dispute, XXXX did not provide me with a detailed explanation of their findings or furnish relevant information that would allow me to further challenge their conclusions.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief