Consumer complaint received 2025-08-28 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB Representative, I am submitting this formal complaint regarding multiple inaccurate collection accounts and unauthorized credit inquiries being reported on my credit file. These items are being reported in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). 
These inaccuracies are not only unlawful, but they have also caused me significant financial and personal harm, including loan denials, housing rejections, job opportunities lost, increased financial costs, and severe emotional stress. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX CT XXXX, TX XXXX Wrong Address this address has no association with me and its inclusion violates FCRA 607 ( b ) which mandates that consumer reporting agencies follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy reporting a wrong address misrepresents my identity to potential lenders employers and insurers this false reporting has caused stress and humiliation and makes it look as if I have resided in places I never did I request this be deleted at once XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX Wrong Address again I have no connection to this residence it is being wrongfully reported which violates my rights under FCRA 611 because upon dispute the bureau must reinvestigate and remove inaccurate information this wrong address also reflects poor compliance with FDCPA standards of fair reporting because it paints an inaccurate picture of my residence history I demand this address be deleted immediately XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$15000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Chargeoff this account is being reported as a chargeoff which is inaccurate and misleading I dispute the completeness and accuracy of this item under FCRA 609 and 611 creditors and bureaus are required to maintain records with full documentation yet this entry lacks validation and proof of debt the reporting of a chargeoff without proper verification is unfair and deceptive and under FDCPA 807 no collector or furnisher may falsely represent the legal status of a debt this false chargeoff lowers my credit score and prevents me from accessing housing and credit opportunities I demand full validation and immediate deletion if it can not be properly substantiated XXXX  XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$3700.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment this account is reporting late payments which I dispute under FCRA 607 ( b ) because creditors must report with maximum accuracy the reporting of late payments without furnishing proper proof is damaging my creditworthiness I have requested verification but none has been provided the continued reporting without validation is a violation of my rights under FDCPA 809 which requires debt validation upon dispute these false late marks are blocking me from fair access to credit I request removal XXXX  XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$3500.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment this appears to be a duplicate of the above account being reported twice with slightly different balances and opening dates which is misleading and deceptive duplicate reporting violates FCRA 607 ( a ) because information must not be misleading by duplication the effect is double damage to my score and characterizing me as more delinquent than I actually am this unfair reporting is unlawful and must be deleted immediately XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$900.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Chargeoff this is another false chargeoff being reported with no proper validation or signed contract supporting the debt under FCRA 609 I have the right to request proof of accuracy and completeness this account continues to appear with negative status despite no verification being provided this wrongful reporting creates undue harm and is a direct violation of my consumer rights it must be deleted immediately XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$1200.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Chargeoff yet another XXXX XXXX account being reported as a chargeoff this appears to be a case of duplicate and excessive reporting of the same type of account multiple times to artificially inflate negative history this practice is abusive and misleading under FCRA 607 and FDCPA 807 the presence of these repetitive chargeoff entries suggests gross negligence or malicious reporting by the furnisher and bureaus I demand deletion of this item XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$670.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Chargeoff This account is reported as a chargeoff but no validation, no original agreement, and no billing statements have been produced. Because of this entry, I was denied a basic checking account with overdraft protection at my bank, leaving me vulnerable to fees and embarrassment at the grocery store when my card declined. This has created unnecessary humiliation in front of others. Under FCRA 1681i you must reinvestigate, and under FDCPA 809 ( b ) you must validate, which has not been done. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$2100.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Chargeoff This chargeoff is hurting me daily. I have requested proof multiple times and none has been provided. Because of this inaccurate reporting, my auto insurance company raised my rates, saying I was high risk. This forced me to pay hundreds of dollars more every year, taking away money I could have used for my childrens needs. The FCRA requires maximum possible accuracy under 1681e ( b ), which is not being followed. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$2400.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment These late payments are more than XXXX XXXX XXXX and must be removed under FCRA 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ) - ( 5 ). Yet they are still on my report, unfairly portraying me as irresponsible. I was denied a personal loan for emergency medical expenses because of this old derogatory information. That denial put me in a situation where I had to delay medical treatment, risking my health. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : {$5400.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Chargeoff This chargeoff is reported without proper validation and with an inflated balance that has never been itemized. Because of this entry, I was denied a credit card for debt consolidation, leaving me trapped paying extremely high interest on multiple accounts. This has drained my savings and left me in a cycle of financial struggle. My reputation has been damaged, as lenders view me as irresponsible when in reality this is inaccurate reporting. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$10000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment This account is reported with late payments that can not be verified. It is duplicative with other XXXX XXXX accounts, which makes it appear that I owe far more than I actually do. Because of this, a potential employer who checked my credit during background screening raised concerns, costing me a job opportunity. This is not just financial harmit is career harm and loss of livelihood. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$21000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Chargeoff This is a duplicate account of the XXXX XXXX  entry above, and duplicate reporting is unlawful under FCRA 1681e ( b ). This duplicate chargeoff has caused my score to drop even further, exaggerating my risk level and blocking me from refinancing my auto loan. This forced me to keep paying extremely high car payments, leaving me financially trapped. 
XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$4000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment This entry is beyond the legal reporting period under FCRA 1681c. Its continued presence caused denial of affordable auto financing, forcing me into high-interest loans, draining savings, and increasing financial pressure on my household. This inaccurate reporting prevents financial recovery and stability. 
XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$55000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment This account is inaccurate and unverifiable. Its reporting caused denial of mortgage pre-approval, preventing my family from moving to a safer neighborhood with better schools. The fear and stress of living in unsafe conditions, combined with inability to provide educational opportunities, have caused severe emotional and mental hardship. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$1400.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection This collection is unverifiable. Its reporting caused denial of a personal loan needed for essential family expenses, forcing me to borrow at higher interest rates. The resulting financial strain caused sleepless nights, constant worry, and a growing sense of hopelessness. My children saw my stress, creating fear and emotional anxiety in our household. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$1200.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection This account is inaccurate and unverifiable under FDCPA 809 ( b ). Its reporting caused denial of apartment rental, leaving my family in temporary, unsafe, and unstable housing. I had to move frequently, disrupting my childrens schooling and social stability, creating ongoing trauma and stress. 
PORTFOLIO CITIB High Balance : {$2600.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection This collection is unverified. Due to this, I was denied a necessary auto loan, forcing me to rely on expensive alternative transportation. I was often late to work, creating financial penalties and anxiety. The family stress was compounded by children missing school activities due to transportation limitations. 
MIDLANDCRE XXXX High Balance : Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection This account has never been validated, violating FCRA 1681i. It prevented me from consolidating urgent medical bills, leaving my family at risk of untreated health conditions. The emotional toll included anxiety, fear of debt collectors, and stress-induced sleepless nights. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$8100.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection This collection is inaccurate and unverifiable. Its reporting caused denial of home improvement financing, leaving critical repairs undone. My children were exposed to unsafe living conditions, including structural hazards and environmental risks, causing ongoing fear and worry. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$640.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection This account has never been validated yet continues to harm my creditworthiness. Denial of essential household financing forced reliance on high-interest loans, creating additional stress and limiting access to food, utilities, and basic necessities. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$2800.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection This collection is inaccurate and unverifiable. Its reporting caused denial of an emergency loan needed for urgent family medical expenses. The stress, worry, and fear generated by this situation have caused ongoing mental and emotional hardship, including XXXX XXXX such as XXXX  and XXXX. 
XXXX XXXX  XXXX High Balance : {$990.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment This late payment is beyond the legally permissible reporting period under FCRA 1681c. Its continued presence has caused denial of affordable credit, forcing reliance on high-interest alternatives. The resulting financial and emotional burden has dir

ectly impacted my ability to provide safety, stability, and educational opportunities for my children. Requested Action I am requesting that the CFPB : 1. Launch a formal investigation into these credit reporting agencies and debt collectors. 2. Require deletion of all inaccurate/unverified collection accounts. 3. Require removal of all unauthorized inquiries.

4. Impose appropriate penalties for violations of federal consumer protection laws.

Closing I trust that the CFPB will take my complaint seriously and enforce the consumer protection laws designed to prevent this very type of abuse. I have suffered greatly because of these errors, and I am requesting immediate action to restore my rights and repair the damage caused.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief