Consumer complaint received 2025-11-12 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: OH

Complaint narrative:
I submit this formal complaint against Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian for their continued and willful violations of federal consumer protection laws under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). These violations include the unlawful reinsertion of previously deleted accounts without proper notification, failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy, failure to investigate disputes within the mandated time frame, failure to provide verification details upon request, and failure to validate debt prior to reporting. 

Background & Violations My credit reports contain fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries that the Bureaus have failed to properly investigate and address despite multiple disputes and supporting documentation. Additionally, these Bureaus have removed fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries only to reinsert them without proper validation, constituting an egregious violation of 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) and ( b ).

Furthermore, I sent a certified dispute letter to all three credit bureaus requesting verification details, including contracts, signatures, and all relevant documentation for these accounts. Despite more than XXXX  days passing, I have not received any response or documentation from any of the bureaus, which constitutes an additional violation of federal consumer protection laws, specifically : 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( XXXX ) ( A ) : Failure to investigate disputes within the required XXXX period. 
15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) : Failure to provide notice and certification before reinserting previously deleted information.

15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) ( 4 ) : Failure to provide verification of debt, including original contracts and signatures, upon request.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ) : Failure to provide specific details on dispute findings. 

Related Lawsuits & CFPB Actions The CFPB has actively taken enforcement actions against the credit bureaus for similar violations, further demonstrating a pattern of noncompliance. These legal precedents reinforce the validity of my complaint : Experian XXXX ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : The CFPB filed a lawsuit against Experian for failing to properly investigate consumer disputes regarding credit report inaccuracies. The lawsuit alleged that Experian allowed erroneous information to reappear on reports, impacting consumers ' credit, employment, and housing access. The CFPB seeks to halt Experian 's misconduct, provide redress, and impose penalties. 
TransUnion Settlement ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : The CFPB, alongside the FTC, reached a {$15.00} XXXX settlement with TransUnion and its subsidiary, TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions , Inc., for failing to ensure the accuracy of tenant screening reports. The agency charged that XXXX inaccuracy potentially hindered consumers ' ability to secure housing. TransUnion agreed to pay {$11.00} XXXX in restitution and a {$4.00} XXXX civil penalty and implement enhanced accuracy measures. 
Equifax XXXX ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : The CFPB filed a major lawsuit against Equifax for repeated violations of the FCRA and deceptive practices that misled consumers regarding credit report accuracy. The lawsuit highlighted that Equifax knowingly reported incorrect information, failed to correct disputes in a timely manner, and continued to allow erroneous reinsertion of previously deleted data without proper consumer notification. The CFPB is seeking financial penalties, injunctive relief, and systemic reforms to prevent future violations. 
These actions underscore the CFPBs commitment to enforcing the FCRA and ensuring that consumer reporting agencies uphold their obligations. My case mirrors these past violations, and I urge the CFPB to take similar action against Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. 
Fraudulent Accounts & Unauthorized Reinsertions XXXX. XXXX Account Number : XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Issues : Charged-off status, discrepancies, lack of proper notification Violations : FCRA 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy FCRA 1681i ( a ) : Failure to properly reinvestigate disputed information FCRA 1681g : Failure to disclose verification records FCRA 1681b : Lack of permissible purpose FDCPA 1692g : Failure to validate debt within XXXX  days FDCPA 1692e : Misrepresentation of debt status Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act Ohio  XXXX  XXXX Code XXXX, XXXX Prohibiting reporting information known or that should be known to be inaccurate. 
Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX Failure to disclose method of verification after dispute. 
Ohio Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX Incorporating FDCPA prohibitions against false, deceptive, or misleading representations. 

Request : REMOVE AND BLOCK THIS ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY under FCRA XXXX, Ohio Rev XXXX Code XXXX, XXXX, and Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX. 
XXXX. XXXX Account Number : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Issues : Charged-off status, discrepancies, lack of proper notification Violations : FCRA 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy FCRA 1681i ( a ) : Failure to properly reinvestigate disputed information FCRA 1681g : Failure to disclose verification records FCRA 1681b : Lack of permissible purpose FDCPA 1692g : Failure to validate debt within XXXX  days FDCPA 1692e : Misrepresentation of debt status Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX, XXXX Prohibiting reporting information known or that should be known to be inaccurate. 
Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX Failure to disclose method of verification after dispute. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Rev. Code XXXX Incorporating FDCPA prohibitions against false, deceptive, or misleading representations. 

Request : REMOVE AND BLOCK THIS ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY under FCRA XXXX, Ohio Rev XXXX Code XXXX, XXXX, and Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX. 
XXXX. XXXX Account Number : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Issues : Charged-off status, discrepancies, lack of proper notification Violations : FCRA 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy FCRA 1681i ( a ) : Failure to properly reinvestigate disputed information FCRA 1681g : Failure to disclose verification records FCRA 1681b : Lack of permissible purpose FDCPA 1692g : Failure to validate debt within XXXX  days FDCPA 1692e : Misrepresentation of debt status Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX, XXXX Prohibiting reporting information known or that should be known to be inaccurate. 
Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX Failure to disclose method of verification after dispute. 
Ohio Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Ohio Rev. Code XXXX Incorporating FDCPA prohibitions against false, deceptive, or misleading representations. 

Request : REMOVE AND BLOCK THIS ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY under FCRA XXXX, Ohio Rev XXXX Code XXXX, XXXX, and Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX. 
XXXX Account Number : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Issues : Charged-off status, discrepancies, lack of proper notification Violations : FCRA XXXX ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy FCRA 1681i ( a ) : Failure to properly reinvestigate disputed information FCRA 1681g : Failure to disclose verification records FCRA 1681b : Lack of permissible purpose FDCPA 1692g : Failure to validate debt within XXXX  days FDCPA 1692e : Misrepresentation of debt status Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act Ohio Rev. Code XXXX, XXXX Prohibiting reporting information known or that should be known to be inaccurate. 
Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX Failure to disclose method of verification after dispute. 

Ohio Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Ohio Rev. Code XXXX Incorporating FDCPA prohibitions against false, deceptive, or misleading representations. 

Request : REMOVE AND BLOCK THIS ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY under FCRA XXXX, Ohio Rev XXXX Code XXXX, XXXX, and Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX. 
XXXX. BANKRUPTCY : XXXX  XXXX BANKRUPTCY Issues : Charged-off status, discrepancies, lack of proper notification Violations : FCRA 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy FCRA 1681i ( a ) : Failure to properly reinvestigate disputed information FCRA 1681g : Failure to disclose verification records FCRA 1681b : Lack of permissible purpose FDCPA 1692g : Failure to validate debt within XXXX  days FDCPA 1692e : Misrepresentation of debt status Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act Ohio Rev XXXX Code XXXX, XXXX Prohibiting reporting information known or that should be known to be inaccurate. 

Ohio XXXX. Code XXXX Failure to disclose method of verification after dispute. 
Ohio Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Ohio Rev. Code XXXX Incorporating FDCPA prohibitions against false, deceptive, or misleading representations. 

I am formally disputing the accuracy, validity, and legal permissibility of the bankruptcy information reported on my credit file. The alleged XXXX  XXXX Bankruptcy appearing on my Experian report, referencing XXXX XXXX. XXXX and filed on XX/XX/XXXX, is being inaccurately reported and must be removed immediately. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ), you are required to conduct a reasonable and timely reinvestigation of any disputed item. The reporting of this bankruptcy violates FCRA 1681e ( b ), which mandates that consumer reporting agencies maintain maximum possible accuracy, and FCRA 1681c ( a ) ( 1 ), which prohibits the inclusion of obsolete or unverifiable public records beyond the legally allowed period.

Moreover, under FCRA 1681k ( a ), credit reporting agencies must verify that public record information obtained from XXXX-XXXX  vendors is complete and current. Experian has failed to provide proof of direct verification from the XXXX Bankruptcy XXXX for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Ohio, which is the only legal custodian of such public records. The court does not furnish or authorize third-party access for credit reporting purposes, as confirmed in numerous consumer protection actions. Therefore, this reporting appears to have been obtained through an unauthorized or unreliable XXXX source, constituting negligent or willful noncompliance under FCRA 1681n and 1681o. 
Under Ohio Revised Code XXXX ( A ) and XXXX ( A ) ( Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act ), it is unlawful for a reporting agency or data furnisher to engage in unfair or deceptive practices, including disseminating false, misleading, or unverifiable information about a consumers credit history. The continued reporting of this unverifiable bankruptcy constitutes defamation, negligence, and ongoing harm to my credit reputation. 
Accordingly, I am demanding the immediate deletion of this bankruptcy entry from all credit files maintained by your agency. If you can not provide verifiable, documented evidence obtained directly from the XXXX Bankruptcy XXXX ( not a third-party vendor ) proving the accuracy of this record, you are legally obligated under FCRA XXXX XXXX a ) ( XXXX ) to delete the entry within XXXX  days of receipt of this notice. Failure to comply will result in a formal complaint being filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), the Ohio Attorney Generals Office, and potential civil action seeking statutory damages, attorneys fees, and costs for willful violations of federal and state law. 
Additional Inaccuracies to Remove Fraudulent XXXX  Inquiry : XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX  Demand : Immediate deletion and permanent blocking of these inquiries under FCRA 1681c-2, Ohio Consumer XXXX Practices Act Ohio Rev XXXX Code XXXX, XXXX, and Ohio Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Ohio Rev. Code XXXX due to identity theft and lack of verification. 
Demands for Resolution Immediate Removal and Blockage : Remove and block all fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries from my credit file across all three bureaus. 
Ensure that these accounts and inquiries are not reinserted without proper validation as required under 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ).

Written Confirmation : Provide written confirmation of the removal of these accounts and inquiries along with updated copies of my credit reports. 
Thorough Investigation : Conduct a full investigation into how these fraudulent accounts and inquiries were recorded without my consent. 
Provide findings in writing, including all requested verification details, such as contracts and signatures. 
Compliance with Identity Theft Protections : Implement fraud alerts and provide me with identity theft resources as mandated under 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ). 
The continued noncompliance by Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian has caused significant financial harm and distress. The reinsertion of fraudulent accounts and inquiries without proper validation exacerbates these violations. Given the CFPBs history of legal action against these credit bureaus for similar misconduct, I urge immediate enforcement action to ensure compliance with federal law and provide appropriate remedies under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o for willful and negligent violations. 
Your intervention is necessary to ensure these Bureaus are held accountable and that my credit report is permanently corrected.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief