Consumer complaint received 2025-08-01 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Problem with personal statement of dispute
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
CONSUMER COMPLAINT TO THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU XX/XX/XXXX To : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MI XXXX Phone : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  SUBJECT : FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST EXPERIAN AND MULTIPLE CREDITORS FOR FCRA VIOLATIONS CONSUMER INFORMATION - * * Name : * * XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX * SSN : * * [ Redacted for security ] - * * XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT I am filing this formal complaint against Experian Information Solutions and multiple creditors for systematic violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Despite having an active fraud alert on my file since XX/XX/XXXX, and my file being locked at my request, numerous inaccurate, unverifiable, and potentially fraudulent accounts continue to appear on my credit report, causing significant financial harm. 



DETAILED VIOLATIONS 1. FAILURE TO INVESTIGATE DISPUTES PROPERLY ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX : - Status shows as " Collection account '' with {$2200.00} balance Not in collection, making payments - Multiple dispute attempts have been unsuccessful - Account information shows " disputed by consumer '' but remains unresolved - Last updated XX/XX/XXXX yet continues to report negative information XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Shows as " Voluntarily surrendered '' with {$13000.00} balance - I dispute this characterization and the amount owed - Despite multiple disputes ( noted in XX/XX/XXXX ), account remains unchanged- This appears to be a result of identity theft given my fraud alert status 2. REPORTING INACCURATE INFORMATION ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) Multiple accounts show payment history inconsistencies : - XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX days past due while I made payments - XXXX XXXX XXXX  : Past due notations despite payment records- XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Conflicting payment information 3. FAILURE TO HONOR FRAUD ALERT ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-1 ) Despite having an active fraud alert stating : " ID FRAUD VICTIM ALERT FRAUDULENT APPLICATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN MY NAME OR MY IDENTITY MAY HAVE BEEN USED WITHOUT MY CONSENT TO FRAUDULENTLY OBTAIN GOODS OR SERVICES. DO NOT EXTEND CREDIT WITHOUT FIRST CONTACTING ME PERSONALLY ... '' New accounts and inquiries continue to appear without proper verification : - Multiple recent inquiries from various lenders - New accounts opened that I did not authorize - Creditors failing to contact me despite clear fraud alert instructions 4. FAILURE TO MAINTAIN REASONABLE PROCEDURES ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( a ) ) Experian has failed to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy by : - Continuing to report disputed information without proper verification - Failing to remove accounts I've disputed as fraudulent - Not properly investigating the source of information despite fraud alert - Allowing multiple variations of my name without proper verification SPECIFIC CREDITOR VIOLATIONS XXXX XXXX - Reporting collection status on disputed account - Failing to provide verification of debt validity - Continuing to report after multiple disputes XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Reporting voluntary surrender when this was identity theft - Failing to investigate fraud claims properly - Continuing to report significant balance without verification XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX past due status despite payment evidence - Failing to update account status accurately- Not responding appropriately to dispute requests DAMAGES SUFFERED 1. Financial Harm : - Denied credit applications due to inaccurate reporting- Higher interest rates on approved credit - Unable to obtain favorable loan terms- Damaged credit score affecting insurance rates 2. Emotional Distress : - Stress from dealing with identity theft consequences - Anxiety about financial reputation - Time and effort spent disputing inaccurate information 3. Opportunity Costs : - Unable to purchase home due to credit issues- Missed business opportunities requiring good credit - Additional fees and deposits required due to poor credit profile RELIEF REQUESTED 1. Immediate Actions Required : - Remove all inaccurate, unverifiable, and fraudulent accounts from my credit report - Correct all payment histories to reflect accurate information - Update my credit report to show current, accurate status of all legitimate accounts - Ensure fraud alert is properly honored by all creditors and inquirers 2. Long-term Corrections : - Implement proper procedures to prevent future FCRA violations - Provide written confirmation of all corrections made - Monitor account for future inaccuracies related to identity theft 3. Compensation : - Statutory damages under FCRA 1681n for willful non-compliance - Actual damages for financial harm suffered - Attorney fees if legal action becomes necessary - Punitive damages for continued violations despite clear fraud alert SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Attached/Referenced : - Complete Experian credit report dated XX/XX/XXXX - Evidence of fraud alert placement ( XX/XX/XXXX ) - Documentation of file lock request - Records of previous dispute attempts- Evidence of payments made on disputed accounts LEGAL BASIS This complaint is filed under : - Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.

- Specifically violations of 1681e ( a ), 1681e ( b ), 1681i, and 1681c-1 - State consumer protection laws where applicable CONCLUSION The violations outlined above represent a systematic failure by Experian and the named creditors to comply with federal law designed to protect consumers, particularly identity theft victims. Despite clear fraud alerts and file locks, inaccurate and potentially fraudulent information continues to damage my creditworthiness. 

I request that the CFPB investigate these violations thoroughly and take appropriate enforcement action to ensure compliance with the FCRA. I also request assistance in obtaining the relief outlined above. 

I am prepared to provide any additional documentation or information needed to support this complaint. I look forward to the CFPB 's prompt attention to this serious matter. 

Respectfully submitted, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX Contact Information : Phone : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Phone : ( XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Email : [ XXXX ] Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX This complaint is also being sent to : - Experian Information Solutions XXXX XXXX Attorney General 's Office - XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX Credit report, supporting documentation as referenced above XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief