Consumer complaint received 2025-01-24 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
Removal of Late Payments due to unemployment I am writing to demand the removal of late payment entries from my credit report for the account ( s ) referenced above. These late payments were a direct result of being unemployed during the period of XXXX XXXX XXXX and I am requesting that these be removed immediately, as I believe they unfairly penalize me for circumstances beyond my control. 

1. Impact of Unemployment on Payment History As you are aware, the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) mandates that information reported to the credit bureaus be accurate and fair ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 ). The late payments in question occurred during a period of significant hardship when I was unemployed, and my ability to meet financial obligations was severely impacted. Under the FCRA and Regulation V, I request that these late payments be re-evaluated and removed from my credit report as they do not reflect my usual payment behavior. 

2. Request for Goodwill Adjustment Given the extreme and extenuating circumstances of my unemployment, I am requesting a goodwill adjustment from the creditor ( s ) in question to remove the late payment entries. This request is grounded in the understanding that I made all reasonable efforts to make payments during that difficult time but was unable to meet deadlines due to lack of income. Removing these late payments would more accurately reflect my payment history and financial responsibility over the long term. 

3. Legal Precedent and Credit Reporting Standards Under 15 U.S.C. 1681c, I am entitled to dispute the accuracy of any information that may not fully represent my true financial circumstances. I believe these late payments should be reclassified or removed, considering the context of my financial distress. Additionally, I expect full compliance with FCRA Section 605 and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ), which protects consumers from being penalized for credit report information that reflects circumstances outside of their normal credit behavior. The financial hardship caused by unemployment should not permanently mar my creditworthiness. 

4. Immediate Removal Request Given the above facts, I am requesting that these late payments be immediately removed from my credit report. I expect a prompt and thorough review of this matter, and I anticipate your compliance with the FCRA in resolving this dispute. Should this issue remain unresolved or the late payments remain unaddressed, I will not hesitate to escalate this matter by filing complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and exploring further legal options. 


Given the above facts, I am requesting that these late payments be immediately removed from my credit report. I expect a prompt and thorough review of this matter, and I anticipate your compliance with the FCRA in resolving this dispute. Should this issue remain unresolved or the late payments remain unaddressed, I will not hesitate to escalate this matter by filing complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and exploring further legal options.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation