Consumer complaint received 2024-11-26 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was paid
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
Request for Removal of Unauthorized Charges in Collections from My Credit Report Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to formally request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) assist in the removal of unauthorized charges that have escalated into collections on my credit report. I have recently discovered that these charges were made without my consent and have since been reported as a collection account, severely impacting my credit standing. I am requesting your assistance in resolving this matter and ensuring that these charges are removed from my credit report in compliance with consumer protection laws. The following items need to be removed : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), I have the right to dispute any inaccuracies or unauthorized charges on my credit report, particularly when they have been transferred to collections. These laws are designed to protect consumers from being unfairly burdened by inaccurate or fraudulent information on their credit reports. Specifically : 1. Unauthorized Charges : I have discovered charges on my credit report that were never authorized by me. I have not entered into any agreement with the creditor ( s ) or provided consent for any services or products that would lead to these charges. The appearance of these charges on my credit report constitutes fraudulent or mistaken reporting. 

2. Violation of Consumer Rights : These unauthorized charges have since been sent to collections, which violates my rights under both the FCRA and FDCPA. Under FCRA Section 1681c, any information that is found to be inaccurate or unverifiable must be removed from my credit report. Furthermore, the FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from pursuing debts that are not valid or are disputed by the consumer. As these charges are unauthorized and in dispute, they should not be reported, and any collection actions based on them should be stopped immediately. 

3. Failure of Verification and Resolution : I have attempted to resolve this issue with the creditor ( s ) and the collection agency involved. However, despite my efforts, I have not received adequate documentation to prove that these charges were legitimately incurred or authorized. Without proof of my consent, these charges should be removed from my credit report, and any associated collection accounts should be deleted as well, as required by law. 

4. Negative Impact on My Credit : The unauthorized charges and subsequent collections have negatively affected my credit score, making it more difficult for me to secure loans, access credit, or engage in other financial activities. This is a matter of urgent concern, as it is affecting my financial health and stability. The FCRA mandates that all information reported to credit bureaus must be accurate and fair, and the continued reporting of these unauthorized charges is both inaccurate and unjust.

Based on the information above, I respectfully request that the CFPB assist in ensuring the removal of these unauthorized charges and associated collections from my credit report. I believe that these entries violate my rights under federal consumer protection laws, and I seek your help in rectifying this situation. 

Thank you for your time and prompt attention to this matter. I trust that you will take the necessary steps to ensure that my credit report reflects only accurate and authorized information.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation