Consumer complaint received 2025-01-24 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: MI

Complaint narrative:
In XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted XXXX XXXX XXXX to request an extension on my auto loan due to financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. XXXX approved the extension, assuring me that no late payments would be reported to the credit bureaus. Despite this agreement, in XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX reported a late payment to all three major credit reporting agencies ( XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX ). This late payment remains inaccurately listed on my credit report, causing ongoing harm. 

Since XXXX, I have continuously submitted disputes to XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX, providing evidence of the extension and compliance with the loan terms. Over the past four years, I have made repeated efforts to have this inaccurate information removed from my credit report. However, XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX have failed to conduct proper investigations as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and they continue to report this false information. This failure to act has compounded the financial and emotional harm caused by XXXX initial reporting error. 

Furthermore, after I contacted the Michigan Attorney Generals office in XX/XX/XXXX regarding my rights, XXXX blocked my access to their online portal. This action prevented me from monitoring my account, making payments, or resolving issues, forcing me to refinance my auto loan with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX delayed releasing the lien on my vehicle, only agreeing to release it directly to XXXX XXXX. This delay caused further financial complications, including a delay in updating the lienholder on record with the state of Michigan. 

The inaccurate reporting caused my credit score to drop significantly, resulting in the denial of a mortgage application in XXXX. This denial caused instability for my family and led to undue stress and emotional distress. The prolonged financial strain and stress caused health issues that required hospitalization and ultimately led to the loss of my job. I have spent countless hours over the past four years trying to resolve this issue. 

The violations in my case are similar to those in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus ( CFPB ) recent enforcement action against XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). InXX/XX/XXXXs case, the company violated the CARES Act and FCRA by reporting deferred payments as delinquent during COVID-19 accommodations and failing to correct inaccuracies. Like XXXX, XXXX failed to report my account as current during the extension period and has refused to correct their errors despite repeated disputes. 

Additionally, XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX have played a significant role in perpetuating this harm by failing to conduct proper investigations or correct the inaccuracies despite clear evidence of XXXX error. Their actionsor lack thereofviolate FCRA provisions that require credit reporting agencies to investigate disputes thoroughly and ensure accurate reporting. 

The CFPB held XXXX accountable by requiring them to pay {$120.00} XXXX in restitution and civil penalties and to implement compliance measures. I am requesting similar enforcement actions against XXXX, XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX, as well as appropriate remedies for the harm caused by their collective violations.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation