Consumer complaint received 2025-07-18 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB Officer, I am filing this formal complaint against Equifax due to unresolved and inaccurate information reported on my credit file. I have identified serious errors on my credit report that involve incorrect negative payment history and multiple unauthorized hard credit inquiries. These inaccuracies are damaging my credit score, limiting my access to fair financial services, and causing emotional distress and reputational harm. 

I have previously contacted Equifax to dispute these items under the rights granted to me by the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), but my concerns have not been resolved in a satisfactory or lawful manner. As a result, I am seeking your assistance and enforcement intervention in this matter. 

Disputed Items on My Equifax Credit Report XXXX. Negative Listing XXXXXXXX XXXX Account Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed : {$9400.00} Dispute : Inaccurate late payment reporting Complaint : Equifax is showing a late payment associated with a XXXX account, but I have no record of missing any payment. I have never received a statement, notice, or communication indicating any default or delinquency. I have requested documentation from Equifax and the data furnisher to prove the validity of this negative mark, and none has been provided. This is a clear violation of FCRA 611 ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ), which requires credit bureaus to conduct a reasonable investigation and correct or remove unverifiable information.

Under FCRA 607 ( b ), Equifax is also obligated to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy of the information it reports. Reporting inaccurate or unverifiable negative information is harmful and unlawful. If the creditor or bureau can not verify the payment status with real evidence, the item must be deleted or corrected immediately. 

XXXX. Unauthorized Hard Credit Inquiries XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX Complaint : These hard inquiries were made without my consent or knowledge. At no point did I apply for credit or give written authorization to any of these companies. XXXX  has provided no documentation showing I approved these pulls on my file. These inquiries are not the result of any credit application I initiated.

Under FCRA 604 ( a ), a credit inquiry must have a permissible purpose, which includes the applicants authorization. These inquiries were conducted without such permission and therefore violate federal law. They have unfairly hurt my credit score and raised concerns about potential fraud or misuse of my personal information. 

Despite requesting verification or removal of these inquiries, Equifax has left these entries on my report without providing sufficient proof of my consent. If Equifax can not produce a signed application or a clear documented record showing I authorized these hard pulls, they are required by law to delete them per FCRA 611.

Relief Sought from CFPB I respectfully request that the CFPB take immediate action to address and enforce my consumer rights in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Specifically, I ask the CFPB to : Compel Equifax to provide written verification and documentation of the reported late payment on the XXXX account.

Order Equifax to remove the late payment if it can not be verified.

Force Equifax to provide documentation for the XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX hard inquiries. 

Immediately delete the inquiries from my file if proof of permissible purpose or authorization is not available.

Monitor Equifax for full legal compliance and impose penalties for repeated failures to adhere to FCRA standards, if necessary. 

I have attached supporting documentation to this complaint, including a copy of my credit report with the disputed items highlighted. I would appreciate your assistance in ensuring that Equifax conducts a lawful, timely, and fair investigation, and that my credit file is corrected accordingly. 

Thank you for your commitment to protecting consumer rights and holding credit reporting agencies accountable.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation