Consumer complaint received 2025-02-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Difficulty submitting a dispute or getting information about a dispute over the phone
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute and demand the immediate deletion of an account that XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX is reporting on my credit reports with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

This account is : Past the statute of limitations for collection under Louisiana law. 
Misrepresented as past due, despite being a charged-off account. 
Illegally reported by a company that is only licensed in XXXX, Virginia and not licensed to collect debts in Louisiana, my state of residence. 
I have disputed this account multiple times with XXXX XXXX XXXX and the credit reporting agencies, yet it remains improperly reported as past due. This continual reporting of inaccurate information violates my rights under federal and state law. 

Applicable Legal Violations XXXX. FDCPA Violations ( Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ) XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX has committed the following violations of the FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 ) : 1692d Harassment or Abuse : Attempting to collect a time-barred debt that is unenforceable in court.

1692e False or Misleading Representations : Falsely representing the account as past due when it has been charged-off.

Misrepresenting their legal authority to collect debts in Louisiana despite lacking the required license.

1692f Unfair or Unconscionable Practices : Continuing collection activities without a Louisiana state license, which is legally required for third-party collectors. 
1692g ( b ) Failure to Validate the Debt : Failing to provide proper validation after receiving multiple dispute requests. 
XXXX. FCRA Violations ( Fair Credit Reporting Act ) Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax have committed FCRA violations ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 ) : 1681e ( b ) Failure to Ensure Maximum Possible Accuracy : Allowing Portfolio Recovery Associates to report the debt as past due despite clear evidence of : The debt being time-barred.

The collectors lack of proper licensing.

1681c ( a ) Reporting Obsolete Information : Open accounts in collection are limited to 7 years from the date of first delinquency.

This account exceeds that reporting window.

1681s-2 ( b ) Duty to Investigate Disputed Information : Failing to properly investigate after receiving my disputes.

3. Louisiana State Law Violations Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 9 : 3562 Debt Collection Licensing : XXXX XXXX XXXX is only licensed in XXXX, VA and is not licensed with the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions ( OFI ), which is required to legally collect debts from Louisiana residents. 
Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 10 : 3-118 Statute of Limitations for Open Accounts : Louisiana law provides a 3-year statute of limitations for open accounts, including credit card debt.

The time period has expired, rendering this debt unenforceable in court and invalid for collection purposes.

Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act ( La. R.S. 51:1401 ) Deceptive Business Practices : Misrepresenting the legal status of a time-barred, charged-off debt while lacking a Louisiana license is a deceptive and unfair trade practice.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation