Consumer complaint received 2025-08-09 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: FL

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB Representative, I am filing this formal complaint to report serious and repeated violations of my consumer rights by credit reporting agencies and data furnishers. The following inaccurate and damaging items are being reported on my credit file despite being false, unverifiable, or outright misrepresented. I have disputed these items multiple times, but they continue to remain on my credit report without correction or resolution. 
Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX  XXXX Issue : I have never lived or had any association with this address ; it appears linked to someone else erroneously. 
Law : CFPB regulations require the prompt correction of false consumer information. 
Story : Due to this address being attached to my file, banks have mistaken me for another individual during account and identity verification. It not only caused delays and extra security checks for my family, but also resulted in the temporary hold of my savings account. These incidents created stress and distrust in crucial financial relationships, especially as I had to explain and clarify the error multiple times across different institutions. For my safety and privacy, this issue must be addressed and the address removed. 

Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Issue : This address was wrongly linked to my name with no legitimate connection. 
Law : FCRA mandates that only accurate, verified addresses appear in consumer reports. 
Story : The presence of this incorrect address led to suspicion about my identity whenever I tried to rent a home or apply for a new job. Landlords and employers questioned the reliability of my background, and I missed out on several rental opportunities because of doubts created by address inconsistencies. This situation left me feeling unfairly judged and exposed. To prevent further emotional and professional hardship, urgent correction is needed. 

Account : XXXX XXXX  Account # : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : False late payment reported despite all on-time payments, with documentary proof available. 
Law : FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ) requires the reporting of accurate and current information. 
Story : Due to this erroneous late payment, my credit score dropped significantly, and I was denied two car loans and a line of credit for my small business. Even after repeatedly contacting the creditor and sharing payment records, the mistake persisted and resulted in higher borrowing costs. The stress of constant rejection has affected my family and mental health. I request immediate removal of this late payment from my report so that my financial stability and opportunities are restored. 

Account : XXXX  Account # : XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Account listed in collections while an active dispute over the amount is ongoing. 
Law : FCRA and CFPB require marking accounts as in dispute during investigation. 
Story : Inclusion of this account in collections triggered harassing calls and threatening emails from collectors, which were both embarrassing and disruptive to my personal life. My credit card applications were declined, and previous lenders now treat me as a higher risk. This has forced me to borrow at much greater interest rates, straining my financial resources further. Please update the account status to in dispute immediately and halt all collection activity until the matter is resolved. 

Account : XXXX  Account # : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Charged-off status reported without proper contact, warning, or validation. 
Law : FCRA requires verification and communication before negative reporting. 
Story : As a result, I have struggled to rebuild credit and was denied a student loan for my childs college tuition. The lack of communication from the creditor made it impossible for me to resolve the debt or set up a payment plan. This abrupt negative entry caused embarrassment and anxiety in family discussions, and I fear it will affect future financial security. I request urgent investigation and removal. 

Account : XXXX XXXX Account # : XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Issue : Misleading charge-off stated, and my request for debt validation was ignored. 
Law : FDCPA and FCRA require debt validation upon consumer request. 
Story : This error led to lost opportunities to rent an apartment and forced me to remain in poor living conditions. The lack of response from the creditor meant I could not challenge or correct their records, increasing my financial stress. My spouse and I were forced to put other plans on hold because of this uncertainty. Immediate validation and correction are needed. 

Account : XXXX Account # : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Collection reported without any proof of debt validity. 
Law : CFPB requires verification before reporting collections. 
Story : Midlands report blocked my attempt to refinance my home, resulting in higher monthly costs and limited options for my family. The missing balance details left me confused and unable to address the debt on my own. This uncertainty is damaging my finances and peace of mind. I request prompt verification or deletion of this negative mark. 

Account : XXXX Account # : XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Incorrectly marked as vehicle repossession without proper notice or account update. 
Law : FTC Repo Rule and FCRA require formal notification before any such reporting. 
Story : Losing my only vehiclethe family cardue to an administrative reporting error forced me to travel with unreliable public transit, missing critical work meetings for several weeks. I lost income, trust with my clients, and my child had to miss school events. These consequences were humiliating and disruptive. Please delete this repossession entry or provide documentation of its validity. 

Account : XXXX Account # : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Charge-off status reported even though the account is under active dispute. 
Law : FCRA mandates investigation of disputed accounts. 
Story : This accounts status kept me from qualifying for new business financing, losing a strategic business partnership as a direct result. My reputation with business contacts is unfairly damaged, stunting both my income and growth. Prompt proper investigation and accurate reporting are essential for my future recovery. 

Account : XXXX XXXX Account # : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Collection reported without any prior notice of the debt or attempts to validate it. 
Law : FDCPA requires debt notice and validation for any collection item. 
Story : Because of this, I have received repeated threatening phone calls and suffered from anxiety and sleep loss. My attempts to explain the situation to lenders were ignored, placing my future borrowing ability at risk. This is a clear case of consumer harassment and must be stopped. 

Account : XXXX XXXX Account # : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Charge-off reported despite active payment dispute. 
Law : FCRA requires clear notation of disputed accounts. 
Story : Career changes requiring credit background checks have been put on hold because of this negative entry, affecting my professional advancement, income, and long-term goals. The emotional burden on my family is growing daily. This account must be corrected or properly marked as disputed. 

Account : XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # : XXXX * * Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX * * Issue : Wrongly marked as both charge-off and collection without accurate investigation. 
Law : CFPB and FCRA require thorough review and correct updates. 
Story : These compounded errors have ruined my chances to buy a home and set up a small business, causing deep frustration and loss of hope. It continues to jeopardize my basic financial security. Immediate correction is needed to restore my lifes stability. 

Inquiry : XXXX XX/XX/XXXX & XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Issue : Both inquiries made without any consent or approval. 
Law : FCRA prohibits unauthorized hard inquiries. 
Story : These multiple unauthorized inquiries have created suspicion among lenders, leading to sky-high interest rates and increased insurance costs. My freedom to manage finances was undermined, with real hardship to my family. 

Requested Relief : I am requesting CFPB 's immediate assistance to enforce my consumer rights and demand that the credit reporting agencies : 1. Delete the wrong addresses from my credit report.

2. Remove all inaccurate and duplicate accounts, especially from XXXX XXXX. 
3. Update all accounts reflecting incorrect charge-offs and late payments, particularly where hardship or resolution existed.

4. Provide evidence of proper investigation and validation from data furnishers or delete the entries.

5. Ensure that all information on my credit file complies with FCRA, FDCPA, and all relevant consumer protection laws.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief