Consumer complaint received 2025-09-17 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB Representative, I am submitting this formal complaint under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and all other applicable consumer protection laws. Multiple accounts are being reported inaccurately, incompletely, and in violation of my rights. These items are severely damaging my creditworthiness, employment opportunities, and overall financial stability. I demand immediate investigation, correction, and removal where appropriate. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$26000.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  This account is being reported with repeated late payments that I dispute as inaccurate and incomplete. Under FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ) furnishers must provide accurate information, and under 1681i the bureaus must reinvestigate disputed data. I have requested verification, but no original signed contract, payment history, or proof of accurate reporting has ever been provided. Continued reporting without validation constitutes negligence and willful noncompliance. This negative history is damaging my creditworthiness and preventing me from securing stable housing and financial relief. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$580.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  This alleged charge-off is inaccurate and unverifiable. Under FDCPA 809 ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ) I have the right to request full validation, yet the creditor has not produced any supporting documents. A charge-off without proper validation can not legally remain on my report. The reporting is misleading and damaging, as it suggests abandonment or default when the account may not even belong to me. This is reckless reporting in violation of FCRA 1681e ( b ). 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$700.00} | Issue XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I dispute this account as fraudulent or misreported. No contract, billing statements, or proof of liability have been provided. The creditor and bureaus are required under FCRA 611 to conduct a reasonable investigation. By failing to verify and simply parroting information from data furnishers, they are violating the law. The inaccurate charge-off is causing me unnecessary distress, denial of credit, and emotional hardship. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$540.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This account is another example of false reporting. XXXX XXXX has not provided evidence that I authorized, owned, or defaulted on this account. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) the bureaus must delete or correct data that can not be verified. Reporting a charge-off without proper validation is a violation of federal consumer laws. The harm has been financial and reputational, as I have been denied approvals and subjected to higher interest rates. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$16000.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  This alleged debt is extremely old and questionable. The statute of limitations for most debts ranges between 46 years depending on state law, making continued collection or reporting illegal and abusive under FDCPA 1692e ( 2 ) ( A ) ( false representation of debt ). No signed documents or ownership trail has been produced. This reporting must be permanently deleted as it is unverifiable, outdated, and misleading. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$860.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX is a known debt buyer. I have disputed this account and requested validation, yet none has been given. Without proof of assignment, original contract, or payment history, they can not legally report under FCRA 623. Continuing to report an unvalidated collection account is a clear violation of consumer protection laws and constitutes unfair and deceptive practices. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$1700.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX  This alleged debt from XXXX XXXX is disputed because I have never been provided any proof that I owe this account. They have not sent me an original signed contract, itemized statements, or assignment documents showing they have the legal right to collect. Without validation, this debt can not be reported. Under FDCPA 809 ( b ), I have the right to dispute within 30 days, and they must cease collection until validation is provided. They have ignored this duty. Under FCRA 611 ( a ), bureaus must delete unverifiable information, yet they continue to allow this harmful entry. Because of this account, I was recently denied a personal loan and forced to accept higher rates on basic credit needs. This is both financially damaging and emotionally stressful. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$700.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX  This account is listed by a collection agency, but no evidence has been provided. I have never received a notice of debt, validation letter, or proof of ownership. Under FDCPA 807 ( 8 ), it is unlawful to report false credit information, and under FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) furnishers can not report inaccurate data. The reporting of this account is reckless, misleading, and damaging. Because of this collection, my rental application for housing was denied, and I was embarrassed when the landlord showed me this report. I am suffering reputational harm because of unverified and false reporting. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$700.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX  This account is related to an insurance company, but I have never received a bill, policy, or explanation of charges. Insurance-related debts are commonly misreported, and without itemized statements, this is unverifiable. Under FCRA 602 ( A ), consumers must be protected from unfair reporting. By continuing to list this account, they are violating FCRA 607 ( b ) which requires maximum possible accuracy. Because of this, I have faced increased auto insurance premiums, making it more expensive for me to drive to work. This is financial harm caused by false reporting. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$600.00} | Issue : Late Payment * * This account is reporting late payments that I dispute as inaccurate. XXXX XXXX has not produced account records or payment histories showing accurate reporting. Under FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 2 ), furnishers must update and correct information once it is found to be inaccurate. They have failed to do so. Because of these alleged late payments, my score dropped significantly, and I was denied a credit increase that would have helped me consolidate debt. This negative mark is unfair, unverified, and harmful to my livelihood. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$1700.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX is reporting this account as a charge-off without providing evidence that I opened, authorized, or defaulted on the account. They have not provided the signed credit agreement, billing records, or original contract. Under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ), information that can not be verified must be deleted within 30 days. Under FDCPA 807 ( 2 ) ( A ), misrepresenting the legal status of a debt is unlawful. This charge-off is harming me by lowering my score, preventing me from qualifying for better financial products, and creating undue stress. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$660.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX is reporting this as a charge-off, but no proof has been provided that I authorized or defaulted on this account. Under FCRA 611 ( a ), unverifiable data must be deleted. They have not shown any signed credit agreement, payment history, or chain of records. Reporting this without verification is unlawful. This account has lowered my score and caused me to be denied a line of credit I needed for emergency medical expenses, which has created extreme stress. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$310.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This charge-off is being reported without validation. Under FDCPA 809 ( b ), a debt must be validated before further collection or reporting, but I never received proof. Under FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), furnishers can not report inaccurate or incomplete data. Because of this false reporting, I was recently rejected for a rental property, which placed me in a vulnerable position. This is both unlawful and damaging. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$670.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is reporting this as a charge-off without producing any contract or billing records. Under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ), information that can not be verified must be deleted. Reporting a charge-off without proof of liability is misleading and constitutes negligence and willful noncompliance. This false mark has raised my cost of borrowing and damaged my financial recovery process. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$2200.00} | Issue XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This alleged account is reported as a charge-off, but no evidence of ownership or authorization has been shown. Under FCRA 609 ( a ), I have the right to receive complete account details, but none have been provided. Under FDCPA 807 ( 2 ) ( A ), misrepresenting the legal status of a debt is illegal. Because of this inaccurate entry, I have been denied fair access to credit and forced to pay higher fees on other accounts. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$810.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I dispute this XXXX  account as inaccurate and unverifiable. I never received an original signed application or payment history. Under FCRA 602 ( A ), consumer reports must be fair and accurate. Continuing to report this account without validation is harmful and illegal. This reporting has directly damaged my credit utilization ratio and my score, preventing me from getting approved for a small business credit line. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$2100.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This charge-off is being reported without any supporting evidence. Under FCRA 607 ( b ), the CRA must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy. No such accuracy has been demonstrated here. The account remains unvalidated and incomplete. As a result, I was denied an auto refinance loan, causing me to remain in a higher payment plan which is financially stressful. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX | High Credit : {$310.00} | Issue : XXXX XXXX XXXX  This collection account is listed by XXXX XXXX, a debt buyer. They have not produced any bill of sale, contract, or assignment proving ownership. Under FDCPA 807 ( 8 ), furnishing false credit information is unlawful. Under FCRA 623 ( b ) ( 1 ), the furnisher must investigate disputed data, but no proper investigation has taken place. This unverifiable debt is lowering my score unfairly. 
Public Record : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : XXXX  Reporting This XXXX  record is being reported inaccurately. I dispute its validity because the courts and bureaus have failed to provide certified documentation linking me to this case number. Under FCRA 605 ( a ) ( 1 ), XXXX  may only be reported if they are accurate and verifiable public records. Reporting without official court documents is unlawful. This false bankruptcy entry is severely damaging my creditworthiness, affecting employment screenings, housing applications, and financial stability. 
Conclusion & Relief Requested All of the above accounts are either inaccurate, unverifiable, duplicative, or reported in violation of FCRA and FDCPA. I request that the CFPB investigate these violations and take immediate corrective action, including : 1. Permanent deletion of all unverifiable and inaccurate accounts.

2. Confirmation that creditors and collection agencies have validated these accounts with complete documentation.

3. Enforcement of penalties against furnishers and credit bureaus that continue to violate federal consumer protection laws.

I trust the CFPB will handle this matter with urgency and ensure my consumer rights are fully protected.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation