Consumer complaint received 2025-07-24 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Was not notified of investigation status or results
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Complaint Against Credit Bureaus for Fair Credit Reporting Act Violations I am writing to file a complaint against Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion regarding ongoing issues with their handling of my credit reports, specifically concerning violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and failure to adhere to Metro 2 Format and XXXX standards. 

I have submitted several disputes regarding negative items on my credit reports that are inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated. Unfortunately, the credit bureaus have consistently responded with vague statements indicating that these items have been verified as accurate without providing any supporting documentation or conducting a proper investigation as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ). 

Moreover, I have experienced instances where accounts were reinserted onto my credit reports after previously being deleted without any proper verification. This practice is a clear violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ), which mandates that if information is deleted from a consumers report, it can not be reinserted unless the credit bureau has verified its accuracy. The failure to provide the necessary documentation during this process further exacerbates the issue. 

The bureaus appear to rely heavily on the automated e-OSCAR system, which merely forwards dispute codes to furnishers and accepts their responses without independent verification. This practice has been criticized by the CFPB and deemed insufficient by the courts. 

* * Key Violations : * * The basis for my complaint includes the following concerns : - * * 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) * * Lack of reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy.

- * * 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) * * Insufficient reinvestigation of disputes.

- * * 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) * * Improper reinsertion of deleted information without verification.

- * * 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) * * Furnishers not correcting or deleting disputed information. 
- * * Metro 2 and XXXX Guidelines * * Non-compliance with reporting standards. 

Legal cases indicate that credit bureaus have an obligation to conduct their own investigations rather than solely relying on furnishers ' responses. 

* * Previous CFPB Actions : * * This is not the first time these issues have been raised. The CFPB has previously taken action against these companies for : - * CFPB v. Experian ( XXXX ) * : For misleading consumers and failing to properly investigate disputes. 
- * CFPB v. Equifax ( XXXX ) * : For not correcting inaccurate data and engaging in misleading practices. 

These cases highlight a pattern of noncompliance that continues despite regulatory efforts. 

* * Disputed Items : * * I am disputing the following types of data that have been verified without sufficient documentation : - Late payments - Charge-offs - Collections - Hard inquiries - Student loans ( without validated promissory notes or balances ) - Duplicated or fragmented tradelines - Incorrect personal identifiers ( such as past addresses or name variations ) In each case, the bureaus have not provided proof from the original creditor or data furnisher, leaving the data on my credit reports unverified. 

* * Impact : * * The inaccuracies in my credit reports have led to several negative consequences, including : - Denial of financing for [ mortgage/car/personal loan ] - Higher interest rates on approved credit - Damage to my reputation due to reported delinquencies - Emotional distress from ongoing verification responses These issues are serious and preventable, and they stem from a lack of attention to consumer protection laws.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation