Consumer complaint received 2025-08-19 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account status incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: AL

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am filing a formal complaint against XXXX for reporting a charge-off to the credit bureaus without following the required legal procedures to notify me, confirm the balance, or allow me to dispute the debt. This conduct has caused damage to my credit profile and appears to violate key provisions of both the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

Nature of the Complaint XXXX  charged off and reported a debt to the credit bureaus that was approximately {$35.00} in total. Despite the small balance, I was never notified in writing of the alleged debt, nor was I given an opportunity to validate or dispute the amount prior to the negative reporting. No final balance was confirmed, and no breakdown of the charges was ever provided to me. 

The charge-off and reporting of this unverified debt occurred without my knowledge or participation, and I did not receive any communication from XXXX giving me the required chance to understand or challenge the debt before it was escalated. 

Violations of Federal Law 1. FDCPA Violation 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) XXXX failed to provide proper written notice of the debt and my right to dispute it within 30 days. Under the FDCPA, debt collectors ( and creditors acting in a collection role ) must provide : A written notice within five days of initial communication ; The amount of the debt and the name of the creditor ; A statement of my right to dispute the debt and request verification. 

XXXX provided none of this. The account was charged off and reported without fulfilling these legal requirements. 

2. FCRA Violation 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 7 ) Under the FCRA, furnishers of credit information must notify the consumer either before or within 30 days after reporting negative information to a credit bureau XXXX XXXX failed to provide any such notice prior to reporting the charge-off. 

3. FCRA Violation 15 U.S.C. 1681i The FCRA also requires that all information reported to consumer reporting agencies be accurate and verifiable. Because I was never allowed to review, confirm, or dispute the validity of this debt, the accuracy of the charge-off entry is in serious question. 

Requested Action I respectfully request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigate XXXX  actions in this matter. Specifically, I am asking that the CFPB : Determine whether XXXX violated the FDCPA and FCRA by failing to notify me or validate the debt ; Investigate whether XXXX engages in a pattern of reporting small, unverified debts without consumer notice ; Require XXXX XXXXo produce evidence that they properly communicated with me regarding this debt prior to reporting it. 

This debt, while minor in dollar value, has had a major impact on my credit, and it is unacceptable that it was reported without notice or validation. Consumers deserve full transparency, regardless of the amount owed. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am prepared to provide further details and documentation as needed. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation