Consumer complaint received 2025-03-11 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: OR

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX [ Date ] To : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Subject : Formal Complaint Against Equifax for FCRA Violations XXXX Sham Investigations, and Continued Reporting of a Fraudulent XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Dear CFPB Representative, I am filing this formal complaint against Equifax Information Services LLC for knowingly and willfully reporting inaccurate information since XXXX  and failing to conduct a lawful reinvestigation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

Specifically, Equifax has refused to remove a fraudulent charge-off from XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX Account # XXXX ), despite already deleting similarly disputed charge-offs from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX This inconsistency in handling disputes constitutes reckless and deceptive credit reporting practices. 

XXXX. XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Has Been Inaccurate Since XXXX {$1000.00} per Month in Penalties Under FCRA 1681n Equifax has been falsely reporting the XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX total of 60 months ( 5 years ) of inaccurate reporting. 

Under FCRA 1681n, Equifax is subject to statutory damages of {$1000.00} per violation per month for willful noncompliance. Since this account has been inaccurately reported for 60 months, Equifax is potentially liable for : {$1000.00} x 60 months = {$60000.00} in statutory damages. 

This penalty applies separately to each individual involved in Equifaxs back-office team and dispute resolution department who knowingly allowed this false information to remain. Each Equifax employee involved in this violation could face personal financial penalties.

2. Sham Investigation Violation of FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) Under FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), credit reporting agencies must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed accounts. A valid investigation must be thorough, fair, and free from automated rubber-stamping. 
Equifax already deleted the XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX charge-offs, proving they were fraudulently reported. 
XXXX XXXX  charge-off was disputed under the exact same legal grounds, yet Equifax refuses to delete it.

This inconsistency proves Equifax did NOT conduct a proper reinvestigation. 

This is clear and documented evidence of Equifax engaging in sham investigations, which is why it is currently facing a {$15.00} XXXX lawsuit for similar FCRA violations. 

3. Failure to Ensure Maximum Accuracy Violation of FCRA 1681e ( b ) Under FCRA 1681e ( b ), credit bureaus must ensure that all reported information is 100 % accurate. 
If Equifax determined the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX charge-offs were inaccurate, then the XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX also be removed. 
XXXX has already removed the XXXX XXXX  charge-off, proving it is unverifiable. 
By refusing to correct the record, Equifax is knowingly and willfully reporting false data. 

This constitutes a willful violation under FCRA 1681n and a negligent violation under FCRA 1681o, making Equifax liable for both statutory and punitive damages.

4. Failure to Notify All Credit Bureaus of Updates Violation of FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( D ) Under FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( D ), furnishers must ensure that all credit bureaus receive the same updates when an account is modified or deleted. 
Since XXXX deleted the XXXX XXXX  charge-off, Equifax is legally required to do the same.

By failing to update my credit file, Equifax is willfully participating in inaccurate reporting.

This means Equifax is violating the law on a monthly basis, adding to its potential legal liability.

5. Individual Liability for Equifaxs Back-Office Team Under FCRA 1681n , Equifax employees and executives who knowingly violate the FCRA can be personally fined. 
Each individual responsible for processing my disputes and failing to remove the fraudulent charge-off is personally liable for statutory damages. 
If this charge-off has been inaccurately reported for 60 months, each responsible party could owe {$1000.00} per month, totaling {$60000.00} in personal penalties. 
I will seek direct legal action against any Equifax employee involved in this misconduct.

6. Immediate Corrective Actions Required To resolve this issue, I demand the following within 10 business days : 1. Permanent removal of the XXXX XXXX  charge-off from my Equifax credit report. 
2. Written confirmation that the account has been deleted.

3. A full copy of Equifaxs reinvestigation records proving that it conducted a lawful dispute process.

4. A formal CFPB investigation into Equifaxs deceptive dispute handling practices. 5. A referral to the FTC for regulatory enforcement against Equifaxs violations. 7. Consequences for Noncompliance If Equifax fai
ls to comply within 10 business days, I will : File an additional CFPB complaint citing intentional violations and increasing fines. File an FTC complaint requesting regulatory action against Equifax for deceptive practices.

Pursue a lawsuit seeking {$60000.00} in statutory damages plus punitive damages for Equifaxs reckless noncompliance.

Hold individual Equifax employees accountable for FCRA violations under personal liability statutes.

8. Final Notice to Equifax Cease All FCRA Violations Immediately Equifax has already admitted wrongdoing by deleting the XXXX  XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX charge-offs. However, by refusing to remove the XXXX XXXX  charge-off despite identical legal issues, Equifax is exposing itself to massive legal liability.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation