Consumer complaint received 2025-04-18 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this formal complaint against XXXX ( Dept. of Education Servicer ) and all three credit bureaus ( TransUnion, Equifax, Experian ) for their continued inaccurate, misleading, and unverifiable reporting of a student loan account currently marked as open and deferred. The account in question was opened on XX/XX/year> and reports a balance of {$23000.00} with payment status current, deferred, and fixed rate. 
This account is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681s-2 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), which mandates that all information furnished to consumer reporting agencies must be accurate, complete, and verifiable. The account is being reported as open with active payment history and deferred status, yet there is no legally enforceable instrument provided to substantiate this trade line, violating Section 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) which gives me the right to request and receive complete documentation of any account reported on my credit file. 
Additionally, this is an educational account, and therefore falls under the privacy protections of FERPA ( Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ). XXXX and/or the Department of Education have failed to present any signed consent granting permission to share or report any of my educational financial records or student aid data to third-party credit bureaus. This violates my FERPA rights, as the disclosure of this deferred loan to private consumer reporting agencies without written consent is an unauthorized release of education records. 
Moreover, there are material discrepancies in the reporting of this account between TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. For example : The high balance, payment status, and account terms are inconsistently reported. 
The monthly payment amount is listed as {$0.00}, yet the account remains marked Open and active with ongoing XXXX and XXXX payment indicators. This is misleading and contradictory. 
The number of terms is reported as XXXX with a current status which is logically and contractually impossible for a valid installment account. 
This creates false credit activity, which misrepresents my true financial liability and violates Section 602 ( A ) of the FCRA, which requires fair and equitable treatment and accuracy in reporting. 
Furthermore, this account has been in deferment status for years. Yet, XXXX continues to report this loan monthly which is not only misleading, but creates the illusion of active payment activity where none exists. This results in re-aging of the account and extends the duration of derogatory or unnecessary influence on my credit score another direct violation of FCRA Section 605 ( a ). 
I am formally requesting : Immediate deletion of the XXXXDOFED student loan account from all three credit bureaus. 
A copy of the original promissory note and signed FERPA authorization permitting the Department of Education or XXXX to report this account to TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. 
Cessation of all future reporting of this loan to credit bureaus unless verified with valid signed contracts and federal compliance documentation. 
Failure to delete this account or fully validate it in accordance with FCRA, FERPA, and federal statutes will result in further legal action, including complaints to the U.S. Department of Education and potential civil litigation for violations of my privacy and consumer rights.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief