Consumer complaint received 2025-03-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account status incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Re : Third Request for Verification Details Alleged Debt XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX To Whom It May Concern : I am writing regarding my continued dispute of an alleged debt XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX on my Equifax credit report. This is my third attempt to obtain the complete results of your investigation and understand precisely how you verified this information. 

Your recent response merely indicates that you contacted the furnisher and accepted their assertions. However, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Equifax must carry out its own reasonable reinvestigation, not simply rely on the creditors statements. As several courts have emphasized, a credit reporting agency ( CRA ) can not outsource its duty to verify the disputed debt. 

1. Legal Framework and Case Law 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ( FCRA ) : CRAs must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation when consumers dispute an item. Simply deferring to the creditors automated or cursory confirmation does not fulfill this obligation. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The court held that a CRA can not rely solely on the creditors investigation without verifying the accuracy of the information itself. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : CRAs must go beyond merely parroting the information provided by furnishers. 
In short, Equifaxs reliance solely on the furnishers responseeven after multiple disputessuggests it has not met the FCRA requirement to thoroughly investigate. 

2. Equifaxs Responsibility to Investigate Your summary states you electronically transmit disputes back to the furnisher, receive a response, and use that to verify the account. I must underscore : Automated processes like e-OSCAR do not constitute a proper investigation when original documentation is not reviewed. 
Equifax has a legal duty to ensure the completeness and accuracy of reported informationnot just repeat what the creditor claims. 
Because your correspondence offers no insight into any independent steps you took beyond contacting the creditor, the account remains unverified under the standards set by the FCRA and relevant case law. 

3. Neglect of My Consumer Rights It appears Equifax may be neglecting its obligations by : Failing to fully document any investigation steps it undertook. 
Declining to provide a method of verification or the original, signed documentation. 
Persisting in reporting the account after repeated disputes, without evidence of its legitimacy. 
Your continued updates, absent substantial proof, may constitute a violation under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o if Equifax is found to be willfully or negligently reporting inaccurate information. 

4. Specific Demands Method of Verification A detailed explanation of all steps Equifax took to verify the accuracy of this alleged debt, beyond contacting the furnisher. 
Copies of any documentationsuch as original contractsthat Equifax obtained or reviewed. 
The name, address, and direct contact information for each individual at the furnisher who provided information in this investigation. 
Removal if Unverified Within 30 Days If Equifax can not produce the legally required evidence verifying this account within 30 days, you must delete it from my credit file, in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ). 
Updated Credit Report Provide a written response detailing your reinvestigation outcome, along with a complimentary updated copy of my Equifax report reflecting any changes. 
5. Conclusion and Notice Should Equifax continue to report this alleged debt without conducting a thorough investigation and providing the requested method of verification, I will explore all available remedies, including further complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and potential legal action under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o of the FCRA. 

Given that this is my third request, I trust Equifax will now handle this matter with the diligence and transparency required by law. I expect your written response, including any verifiable documentation, within 30 days. 

Thank you for your prompt attention. I look forward to your timely resolution. 

I do not consent to have my information sent through E-oscar or any other electronic process. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief