Consumer complaint received 2025-03-05 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint against Equifax for inaccurate, incomplete, and unverifiable reporting of negative accounts on my credit report ( dated XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  ), as well as Equifaxs failure to conduct a proper investigation into my disputes. Equifaxs actions violate Metro 2 reporting standards ( CDIA Metro 2 Format for Credit Reporting ) and multiple provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), causing significant damage to my credit score and financial opportunities. Equifaxs history of sham investigations ( CFPB enforcement action, XX/XX/XXXX, {$15.00} XXXX fine for failing to investigate disputes, ignoring consumer evidence, and using flawed processes ) further exacerbates these violations, as Equifax has systematically failed to address my concerns. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I reviewed my Equifax credit report and identified critical issues with negative accounts impacting my FICO Score XXXX ( XXXX ). The report lists XXXX negative accounts : two XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ), XXXX XXXX XXXX auto loan ), and XXXX ( retail credit account ). These accounts are cited as having serious delinquencies ( 60+ days late or worse ), contributing to a total of {$13000.00} past due, with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  and XXXX also contributing to 78 % credit utilization. However, Equifax failed to provide verifiable data to substantiate these negative entries, violating Metro 2 standards and FCRA requirements. Below are the specific violations for each account : XXXX. XXXX XXXX ( Credit Card XXXX with Serious Delinquency, Contributing to 78 % Utilization ) : - Missing Base Segment ( Metro 2 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) : Metro 2 XXXX requires a Base Segment ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  '' ). Equifax provides no account details ( e.g., XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ), violating XXXX and 15 USC 1681e ( b ). 

- Unverifiable Payment History ( Metro 2 4.3, Field 17B, bytes 233-256 ) : Metro 2 4.3 requires 24 bytes of payment history ( e.g., " 60 '' for 60 days late ). Bytes 233-256 are blank, violating 4.3 and 15 USC 1681e ( b ). 

- Missing Date of Last Payment ( Metro 2 6.1, Field 22, bytes 305-312 ) : Bytes 305-312 are omitted, violating 6.1 and 15 USC 1681e ( b ).

- Potential Time-Barred Debt ( Metro 2 4.5, Field 26, bytes 372-373 ) : If delinquent before Mar 4, 2019 ( New Jerseys 6-year statute, N.J.S.A. 2A:14-1 ), bytes 372-373 must show " DA ''. This is unverifiableviolates 15 USC 1692e ( 8 ) ( FDCPA ).

- Unverifiable Past-Due Amount ( Metro 2 4.1, Field 12, bytes 217-224 ) : The {$13000.00} past-due total lacks a breakdown ( bytes XXXX should be " XXXX '' if {$3200.00} ), violating XXXX and 15 USC 1681e ( b ). 

- Unverifiable Utilization Ratio ( Metro 2 4.1, Field 11 & 19, bytes 209-216 & 282-289 ) : The 78 % utilization is unverifiable without balance ( Field 11 ) and credit limit ( Field 19 ) violates 4.1 and 15 USC 1681e ( b ). 

- Missing Balance Update Date ( Metro 2 6.1, Field 11A, bytes 217-224 ) : Bytes 217-224 are omitted, violating 6.1 and 15 USC 1681e ( b ). 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX ( Credit Card 2 with Serious Delinquency ) :- Same violations as XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, minus utilization-specific violations : Missing Base Segment ( 4.1 ), unverifiable payment history ( 4.3 ), missing date of last payment ( 6.1 ), potential time-barred debt ( 4.5 ), and unverifiable past-due amount ( 4.1 ).

- USC Violations : 15 USC 1681e ( b ), 15 USC 1692e ( 8 ). 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Serious Delinquency ) :- Same violations as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX : Missing Base Segment ( 4.1 ), unverifiable payment history ( 4.3 ), missing date of last payment ( 6.1 ), potential time-barred debt ( 4.5 ), and unverifiable past-due amount ( 4.1 ). 
- USC Violations : 15 USC 1681e ( b ), 15 USC 1692e ( 8 ). 

XXXX. XXXX ( Retail Credit Account with Serious Delinquency, Contributing to 78 % Utilization ) :- Same violations as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX Missing Base Segment ( 4.1 ), unverifiable payment history ( 4.3 ), missing date of last payment ( 6.1 ), potential time-barred debt ( 4.5 ), unverifiable past-due amount ( 4.1 ), unverifiable utilization ratio ( 4.1 ), and missing balance update date ( 6.1 ).

- USC Violations : 15 USC 1681e ( b ), 15 USC 1692e ( 8 ). 

Impact on Me : These inaccuracies have severely damaged my credit score ( FICO Score 8 of 568 ), leading to denials of credit and loan applications. The reported delinquencies and high utilization falsely portray me as a high-risk borrower, costing me housing opportunities ( e.g., denied apartment lease applications ), employment opportunities ( e.g., failed background checks requiring good credit ), and higher interest rates on any credit I can secure. The emotional distress from these errors has been significantI live in constant fear of financial instability, identity theft, and further denials, causing sleepless nights and XXXX. The financial losses, including increased borrowing costs and lost opportunities, are substantial, and the time spent addressing these errors has disrupted my daily life. 

Attempts to Resolve : On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a detailed dispute letter to Equifax via certified mail, demanding a byte-by-byte investigation under 15 USC 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ). I cited Metro 2 violations ( 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 6.1 ) and USC laws ( 15 USC 1681e ( b ) ), provided my identification ( New Jersey Drivers License # XXXX and Social Security Card # XXXX ), and requested deletion of the negative accounts ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Equifax has not responded, violating 15 USC 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( 30-day investigation requirement ). Given Equifaxs history of sham investigations ( CFPB enforcement action, XX/XX/XXXX, {$15.00} XXXX fine ), where the CFPB found Equifax systematically failed to investigate disputes, ignored consumer evidence, and used flawed processes, I believe Equifaxs lack of response continues this pattern of noncompliance. Equifaxs systemic failures, including sharing inaccurate credit scores and reporting duplicate accounts, further demonstrate their willful disregard for FCRA obligations. 


Attachments : - Copy of Equifax Credit Report XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  ) - Copy of Dispute Letter to Equifax ( Dated XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  ) - Copies of Identification ( New Jersey Drivers License and Social Security Card ) I appreciate the CFPBs assistance in protecting my consumer rights and holding Equifax accountable for their systemic noncompliance.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief