Consumer complaint received 2025-04-16 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
# Credit Report Dispute Letter XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, LA XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Equifax Information Services, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX * * RE : Formal Dispute of Credit Report Inaccuracies & FCRA Violations * * * * Account # : XXXX * * To Whom It May Concern : I am writing to formally dispute multiple inaccuracies in my credit report and to address several violations of federal consumer protection laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ). I have identified numerous accounts that contain errors and violations requiring immediate correction under both the letter and spirit of federal law. 

# # ACCOUNTS DISPUTED I dispute the following accounts in my credit report : XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * * ) XXXX. XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * * XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * * ) XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * * ) XXXX. XXXX ( Account # XXXX * ) XXXX. XXXX  ( Account # XXXX * ) XXXX. XXXX ( Account # XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX * ) XXXX. XXXX ( Second Account # XXXX * ) XXXX. AXXXX ( Account # XXXX * ) XXXX XXXX  ( Second Account # XXXX * ) XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * * ) XXXX. XXXX ( Account # XXXX * ) XXXX. XXXX ( Account # XXXX * ) XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( Account # XXXX * XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * * ) XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * ) XXXX. XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * ) XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX * ) XXXX. XXXX XXXX, XXXX ( Account # XXXX * ) XXXX. CURRENT ( Account # XXXX * ) XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * ) # # METRO 2 COMPLIANCE VIOLATIONS Per the Credit Reporting Resource Guide ( CRRG ) published by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), all accounts listed above fail to comply with mandatory Metro 2 Format standards in the following specific ways : 1. * * Improper Compliance Condition Code ( CCC ) Usage * * : The CRRG specifically requires that accounts disputed by consumers under the FCRA must be reported with the XB code ( " Account information disputed by consumer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act '' ). Instead, many accounts are simply marked " Consumer disputes - reinvestigation in progress '' without proper code implementation.

2. * * Failure to Update Dispute Status * * : When disputes are resolved, furnishers must update the CCC field to either XC ( " Completed investigation of FCRA dispute - consumer disagrees '' ) or XH ( " Account previously in dispute -- now resolved '' ). The continued presence of unresolved dispute indicators shows non-compliance with this requirement. 

3. * * Obsolete Information Reporting * * : For delinquent accounts, the Date of First Delinquency field ( Field 25 ) must " reflect the date of the first delinquency ( in an unbroken chain ) that led to the status being reported. '' Several accounts show incorrect delinquency dates.

4. * * Account Status Code Inconsistencies * * : Proper Metro 2 reporting requires precise coordination between Account Status codes and Payment Rating codes. The inconsistent statuses between " closed '' accounts and their reported delinquencies violate these specifications.

5. * * Dispute Processing Requirements * * : The Metro 2 Format establishes standardized procedures for handling consumer disputes and requires creditors to " conduct a thorough investigation to verify the accuracy of the disputed information. '' The continued presence of " reinvestigation in progress '' statuses beyond the 30-day statutory limit violates these requirements. 

These technical Metro 2 violations are not mere formatting issues but substantive failures that directly impact credit reporting accuracy and violate FCRA obligations to " follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy '' of credit information.

# # FCRA VIOLATIONS ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ) The following specific FCRA violations are evident in my credit report : 1. * * Section 1681e ( b ) - Failure to Follow Reasonable Procedures * * : Equifax has failed to " follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates '' as evidenced by the numerous accounts with inconsistent status indicators and unresolved disputes. 

2. * * Section 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) - Investigation Timeframe Violations * * : FCRA mandates that " if the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in a consumer 's file at a consumer reporting agency is disputed by the consumer... the agency shall, free of charge, conduct a reasonable reinvestigation to determine whether the disputed information is inaccurate ... before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the agency receives the notice of the dispute. '' The " reinvestigation in progress '' status remaining beyond this timeframe constitutes a direct violation.

3. * * Section 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) - Failure to Delete Unverifiable Information * * : After reinvestigation, the FCRA requires that " if any information is found to be inaccurate or incomplete or can not be verified, the consumer reporting agency shall promptly delete that item of information from the file of the consumer, or modify that item of information, as appropriate, based on the results of the reinvestigation. '' The continued presence of disputed items suggests this requirement has been ignored. 

4. * * Section 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 3 ) - Duty to Provide Notice of Dispute * * : This section prohibits furnishers from providing information to any CRA if `` the person has been notified by the consumer ... that specific information is inaccurate ; and the information is, in fact, inaccurate. '' The continued reporting of disputed information violates this provision.

5. * * Section 1681s-2 ( b ) - Failure to Investigate and Report Results * * : When receiving a dispute notice, furnishers must " conduct an investigation with respect to the disputed information, '' " review all relevant information provided, '' and " report the
results of the investigation to the consumer reporting agency. '' The ongoing " reinvestigation in progress '' status indicates non-compliance.

# # FDCPA VIOLATIONS ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ) For accounts handled by debt collectors, I assert the following violations under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act : 1. * * Section 1692e ( 2 ) ( A ) - False Representation * * : The continued reporting of inaccurate account statuses constitutes a " false representation of the character, amount, or legal status of any debt. '' 2. * * Section 1692e ( 8 ) - Failure to Communicate Disputed Status * * : This section prohibits " communicating or threatening to communicate to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed. '' Multiple accounts fail to properly reflect their disputed status in accordance with Metro 2 Format requirements.

3. * * Section 1692g ( b ) - Debt Validation Requirements * * : Per this section, " if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period ... that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed... the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt ... until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt ... and a copy of such verification... is mailed to the consumer. '' The continued reporting of disputed debts without proper verification violates this provision.

4. * * Section 1692f - Unfair Practices * * : The collection and reporting activities related to these accounts constitute " unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt '' due to the failure to adhere to proper Metro 2 Format standards and FCRA requirements.

# # TILA AND DODD-FRANK ACT VIOLATIONS In addition to the FCRA and FDCPA violations outlined above, the following violations of the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) and relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act are present : 1. * * TILA Section 1637 ( b ) - Statement Requirements * * : For revolving credit accounts, TILA requires specific information on periodic statements, including proper accounting of payments. The inconsistent reporting of payment histories on revolving accounts undermines these requirements.

2. * * Section 1100F of Dodd-Frank Act - Credit Score Disclosure Requirements * * : This section amended FCRA requirements for adverse action notices, requiring additional credit score disclosures when adverse actions are taken. The improper reporting of account statuses and delinquencies impacts these disclosure requirements. 

XXXX. * * CFPB Oversight Authority - Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices ( UDAAP ) * * : Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has authority to address UDAAPs. The consistent pattern of misreporting account statuses, maintaining unresolved disputes, and failing to properly implement Metro 2 standards constitutes unfair and deceptive practices.

4. * * TILA Section 1666 - Billing Error Resolution * * : This section establishes procedures for resolving billing errors. The continued reporting of disputed information without proper resolution violates these error resolution requirements and timelines. 

These violations are particularly significant as they demonstrate systematic failures across multiple regulatory frameworks designed to protect consumers and ensure accurate credit reporting. 

# # SPECIFIC ACCOUNT VIOLATIONS For each account listed above, I am specifically disputing the following violations : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * * ) - Ongoing reinvestigation without resolution beyond the statutorily mandated timeframe - Failure to follow reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy # # # XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX * * ) - Reporting " Late 30 Days '' during an active dispute process - Furnisher 's failure to conduct proper investigation of dispute # # # XXXX ( Account # XXXX * * ) - Dispute reinvestigation exceeding 30-day timeline requirement - Improper Metro 2 compliance in reporting dispute status [ Similar details for each account would continue here ... ] # # DEMAND FOR ACTION Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ), I demand the following actions : 1. * * Complete Investigation * * : Conduct a thorough investigation of each disputed item 2. * * Verification * * : Obtain proper verification from each original furnisher 3. * * Deletion * * : Delete all information that can not be properly verified 4. * * Correction * * : Correct all inaccurate information 5. * * Metro 2 Compliance * * : Ensure all reporting follows proper Metro 2 Format standards 6. * * Notification * * : Provide me with written results of your investigation 7. * * Furnisher Notification * * : Notify all furnishers of the results of your investigation # # ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Additionally, under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ), I request : 1. A description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information 2. The business name and contact information for each furnisher that was contacted 3. A copy of my updated credit report showing all corrections In accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( d ), if information is deleted because it can not be verified, I demand that it not be reinserted without proper notice to me. 

# # DAMAGES CLAIM AND NOTICE OF POTENTIAL LIABILITY I have suffered substantial financial and emotional harm as a direct result of these FCRA violations, including : 1. Denial of credit card applications due to inaccurate information in my credit report 2. Inability to purchase necessary baby items for my child due to credit limitations 3. Emotional distress, frustration, and anxiety from repeated failed attempts to have these errors corrected 4. Time spent and costs incurred in disputing these inaccuracies Based on the numerous violations detailed above ( at least 22 accounts with multiple violations per account ), I am seeking statutory damages of {$100.00} per violation as provided under the FCRA, in addition to actual damages, punitive damages, costs, and attorney 's fees. 

# # MILLER V. EQUIFAX PRECEDENT I draw your attention to the case of Miller v. Equifax Information Services, LLC ( D. Or. 2013 ), in which a jury awarded the plaintiff {$18.00} XXXX ( {$180000.00} in compensatory damages and {$18.00} XXXX in punitive damages ) for Equifax 's failure to correct errors in her credit report despite multiple disputes. While this judgment was later reduced, it established that : 1. A consumer is entitled to recover damages even without showing denial of their own personal credit applications 2. Damages for emotional distress, humiliation, and reputation harm are recoverable under the FCRA 3. Fear of lost credit opportunities due to prior adverse experiences is valid grounds for damages 4. Equifax 's conduct was found " reprehensible '' by the court when it failed to correct errors despite multiple disputes The facts in my case are remarkably similar, as I have made multiple attempts to have these errors corrected, yet they persist. Courts have consistently held that credit reporting agencies must " follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy '' of consumer information, which has clearly not occurred in my case.

Please be advised that failure to comply with these lawful requests may result in liability under 15 U.S.C. 1681n for willful noncompliance or under 15 U.S.C. 1681o for negligent noncompliance, including actual damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, costs, and reasonable attorney 's fees.

I understand my rights under federal law and am prepared to exercise all available remedies if this matter is not properly addressed within the timeframe required by law. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX Enclosures : - Copy of credit report with disputed items highlighted - Identification documents- Proof of address - Documentation of credit denials and financial hardship cc : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Federal Trade Commission Office of the Attorney General, Louisiana

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief