Consumer complaint received 2025-10-24 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: NC

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, NC XXXX XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX SSN ( Last XXXX ) : [ XXXX ] Email : XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX To : TransUnion LLC XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXXXXXX Experian XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX Account in Dispute : XXXX | Acct # XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I. Nature of Dispute Statutory Non-Compliance and Required Deletion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX    This is a formal non-compliance dispute against TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. I previously disputed the above-referenced XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account for inaccuracies, inconsistencies, and incomplete data * * via XXXX only XXXX XXXX. TransUnion and Experian XXXX XXXX  failed to complete a reinvestigation within the XXXX statutory period XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax issued an identity re-verification request * * outside * * the XXXX period despite receiving valid ID and proof of address with the dispute. Subsequently, Experian and Equifax again failed the XXXX requirement on my XX/XX/XXXX follow-up. Finally, XXXX XXXX  none of the three CRAs responded within 15 days XXXX XXXX to my XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Method of Verification ( M.O.V. ) XXXX XXXX requests. Because the statutory windows have expired, you may not update, cure, or verify late. The only lawful remedy is XXXX XXXX  prompt deletion XXXX XXXX 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Chronology and Evidence ( All Dates Documented ; All Filed via CFPB.gov XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Original dispute submitted via XXXX XXXX  CFPB.gov XXXX XXXX regarding XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX | Acct # XXXX XXXX XXXX 
XXXX XXXX  TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Received XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Responded XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX with a generic process statement ( late ; no XXXX. ). 
XXXX XXXX  Experian XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Responded XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX verified as accurate ( late ; no M.O.V. ). 
XXXX XXXX  Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Received XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Responded XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  ( 39 days ) demanding ID re-verification XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX my valid ID + bank statement already attached ; no M.O.V. provided. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Failure to Reinvestigate / Request for Deletion and/or M.O.V. XXXX XXXX  sent via XXXX XXXX  CFPB.gov XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Experian and Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX only ). 
XXXX XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Received XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Responded XX/XX/XXXX * * XXXX XXXX VERIFIED AS REPORTED ( * * late * * beyond 30 days ; no M.O.V. ). 
* * Experian * * : * * Received XX/XX/XXXX * * * * Responded XX/XX/XXXX * * potential fraud involved ( * * late * * beyond 30 days ; no XXXX. ; no timely fraud notice ). 

* * XXXX * * * * Formal Method of Verification ( XXXX. ) * * requests submitted via XXXX XXXX  CFPB.gov XXXX XXXX to all three CRAs. 
XXXX XXXX  TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Received XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX No M.O.V. response within 15 days XXXX XXXX 
XXXX XXXX Experian XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Received XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  No M.O.V. response within 15 days XXXX XXXX 
XXXX XXXX  Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Received XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX No M.O.V. response within 15 days XXXX XXXX 

XXXX XXXX  Conclusion XXXX XXXX XXXX  TransUnion and Experian violated the XXXX XXXX XXXX reinvestigation XXXX XXXX  rule on the May dispute ; Equifax issued XXXX improper identity re-verification XXXX XXXX after XXXX XXXX  30 days and later missed the XXXX deadline on the XXXX dispute. All three CRAs violated the XXXX XXXX  15-day M.O.V. XXXX XXXX  rule on my XXXX requests. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. Current Reporting Inconsistencies ( Continuing FCRA 607 ( b ) Violations ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Type XXXX XXXX TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Experian XXXX XXXX XXXX Unknown Credit Extension, Review, or Collection XXXX XXXX  Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX Collection XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XXXX XXXX TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Experian : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Terms ( Months XXXX XXXX XXXX  TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Experian : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Payment Status XXXX XXXX TransUnion : XXXX XXXX Collection/Chargeoff XXXX XXXX Experian : XXXX XXXX Collection/Chargeoff XXXX XXXX Equifax : XXXX XXXX 120 Days Late XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Comments XXXX XXXX TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX Collection Account / Placed for Collection XXXX XXXX  Experian : XXXX XXXX Account Seriously Past Due/ Assigned to Attorney/Collection/Internal Dept XXXX XXXX  Equifax : XXXX XXXX TXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX  Date Last Active XXXX XXXX TransUnion : XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Experian : XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date of Last Payment XXXX XXXX TransUnion : * * Blank * * Experian : * * Blank * * Equifax : * * XX/XX/XXXX * * * * Two-Year Payment History XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX ) * * TransUnion : * * Blank * * Experian : * * Charge-Off each month * * Equifax : * * OK each month * * Because all three CRAs have previously claimed XXXX have verified this account multiple times, yet continue to report materially inconsistent data, this demonstrates * * willful noncompliance with 607 ( b ) * * and * * reckless disregard for accuracy under 616 * *.

These contradictions * * can not * * all be true. Reporting * * Charge-Off * * or * * Collection * * status while simultaneously reporting * * OK * * monthly history is facially
inconsistent and * * fails maximum possible accuracy * * under * * FCRA 607 ( b ) * *. After multiple verifications, the data remains * * conflicting * * and therefore * * unverifiable * * under * * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) * *.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - XXXX. The XXXX Completion Rule and Consequence of Expiration ( Deletion Required ) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) * * A CRA * * shall complete * * a * * reasonable reinvestigation within 30 days * *.

* * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) * * If information * * can not be verified * *, it * * must be deleted * *.

Once the 30-day period expires without lawful completion, CRAs can not retroactively cure with late verifications. The lawful remedy is * * deletion * *.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - V. Method of Verification ( M.O.V. ) Duties and the 15-Day Timeline -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ) * * Upon request, a CRA must provide the * * Method of Verification * *, including the * * business name, address, and phone * * of the furnisher and a * * description of the procedure * * used to determine accuracy.

* * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 7 ) * * The CRA * * shall provide * * that description * * within 15 days * * of the consumers request.

All three CRAs received my M.O.V. requests on * * 10/0310/04/2025 * * and * * failed to respond within 15 days * *. The item remains * * unverified * * and must be * * deleted * * pursuant to * * 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) * *.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - VI. CFPB-Filed Disputes Carry the Same Legal Force as Direct Disputes -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * FCRA 611 * * obligations apply regardless of submission channel ; * * CFPB.gov * * disputes trigger the same duties as direct disputes.

* * FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 8 ) * * requires furnishers to maintain reasonable dispute procedures; routing through the * * CFPB * * does * * not * * diminish compliance duties.

* * All disputes and requests herein were submitted via CFPB.gov only. * * -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - VII. Additional Statutory Duties and Standards of Accuracy -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * FCRA 607 ( b ) * * CRAs must follow reasonable procedures to assure * * maximum possible accuracy * *.

* * FCRA 623 ( b ) * * Upon CRA notice, furnishers must conduct a * * reasonable investigation * * and correct/delete inaccurate data.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - VIII. Case Law Confirming Meaningful Investigation and Deletion -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * Cushman v. Trans Union, 115 F.3d 220 ( 3d Cir. 1997 ) * * CRAs must do more than parrot the furnisher ; a * * meaningful * * investigation is required. 
* * XXXX v. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Cir. XXXX ) * * XXXX requires * * actual evidence * *, not conclusory assertions. 
* * XXXX v. XXXX Bank, XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) * * Conflicting data across reports constitutes * * inaccuracy * * requiring correction/deletion. 
* * XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Cir. XXXX ) * * Inconsistent/misleading data is legally inaccurate. 
* * XXXX v. XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Cir. XXXX ) * * Furnishers must conduct a * * reasonable investigation * * when notified. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - XXXX. XXXX Demands ( Applied Separately to Each CRA ) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * TransUnion * * You failed the * * XXXX * * deadline on the XXXX dispute ( * * XX/XX/XXXX * * response ) and * * failed to provide M.O.V. * * after my * * XX/XX/XXXX * * request ( * * no response within 15 days * * ). You can not fix this late. * * Immediately delete * * the XXXX account and provide * * written confirmation * * and an * * updated report * *. 

* * Experian * * You failed the * * XXXX * * deadline on the XXXX dispute ( * * XX/XX/XXXX * * response ) and * * failed to provide XXXX. * * after my * * XX/XX/XXXX * * request ( * * no response within 15 days * * ). You also issued an untimely potential fraud message on * * XX/XX/XXXX * *. * * Immediately delete * * and provide * * written confirmation * * and an * * updated report * *. 

* * Equifax * * You issued an improper * * identity re-verification * * after * * 30 days * * ( * * XX/XX/XXXX * * ) despite sufficient ID, and you failed the * * XXXX * * deadline again on the XXXX dispute ( * * XX/XX/XXXX * * ). You also * * failed to provide XXXX. * * after my * * XX/XX/XXXX * * request ( * * no response within 15 days * * ). * * Immediately delete * * and provide * * written confirmation * * and an * * updated report * *. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Deadlines, XXXX XXXX, and Prohibited Cure XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX You are past the XXXX XXXX 30-day XXXX XXXX reinvestigation window and the XXXX XXXX 15-day XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. window. It is * * too late * * to update, verify, or cure. The correct remedy is * * deletion * * under * * 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) * *.

* * Preservation Notice : * * Preserve all records relating to my disputes and your reinvestigations, including furnishers communications, ACDV/e-OSCAR submissions, internal notes/policies, and call recordings.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Requested Resolution ( All Bureaus ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Immediate deletion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX | Acct # XXXX * * from * * TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax * * for failure to comply with FCRA timelines and M.O.V. duties and because the item remains XXXX XXXX unverifiable XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Written confirmation XXXX XXXX  of deletion ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Updated consumer reports * * reflecting removal ; and XXXX ) A statement acknowledging that the item will * * not be reinserted * * absent full compliance with * * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) * * ( certification of accuracy and * * consumer notice within XXXX business days * * ). 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Continuing Inaccuracies After Multiple Verifications ( Further 607 ( b ) and 611 Violations XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - After multiple investigations in which all three credit bureaus have claimed to have verified the XXXX account, my updated credit reports continue to show * * material inconsistencies * * and * * contradictory information * * across TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. These contradictions confuse lenders, damage creditworthiness, and demonstrate ongoing violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Acts accuracy and reinvestigation requirements. 

XXXX XXXX  Last Activity XXXX XXXX XXXX  TransUnion : XX/XX/XXXX Equifax : XX/XX/XXXX Experian : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Term / Source Type : XXXX XXXX TransUnion : XXXX Equifax : Blank Experian : Provided XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX TransUnion : Charge-Off Experian : XXXX Equifax : Open XXXX  XXXX Most Recent Adverse Rating XXXX XXXX XXXX  TransUnion : Collection / Charge-Off Experian : Collection / Charge-Off Equifax : No Data Available XXXX XXXX Comments XXXX XXXX XXXX TransUnion : Does not display that this account is under dispute, violating * * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 3 ) * * and * * 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( b ) * *. 
Experian : Displays dispute status. 
Equifax : Displays dispute status. 

* * Payment History : * * TransUnion : No history available. 
Equifax : 100 % of payments made on time. 
Experian : 0 % of payments made on time. 

These conflicting entries can not simultaneously be true and render the account unverifiable under * * 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) * * and inaccurate under * * 607 ( b ) * *. Each CRA has previously verified this account yet continues to report inconsistent and mutually exclusive data. This establishes * * willful noncompliance under 616 * * and supports * * permanent deletion * *.

Please note that continued reporting of this unverifiable account constitutes ongoing publication of inaccurate information under * * 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) * * and exposes your agency to liability under XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, NC XXXX XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX Email : XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief