Consumer complaint received 2025-10-30 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
In XX/XX/XXXX, I paid and closed my auto loan with XXXX XXXX XXXX in full before deploying overseas on XXXX XXXX with the XXXX XXXX. I took this action to ensure I had no outstanding debt while serving abroad. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, Equifax completed a reinvestigation of my dispute regarding this account. They deleted the prior payment history but kept the remark Account paid for less than full balance. Experian and TransUnion are also reporting this same remark. 

This notation is incomplete and misleading under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) because the account is closed, shows a {$0.00} balance, and is marked Pays As Agreed. The phrase paid for less than full balance implies a continuing derogatory condition that does not exist.

Under FCRA 607 ( b ) [ 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ], credit reporting agencies must assure maximum possible accuracy in consumer reports. Even if technically accurate, information may be legally inaccurate if it creates a materially misleading impression, as established in Saunders v. Branch Banking & Trust Co., 526 F.3d 142 ( 4th Cir. 2008 ).

Under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), agencies must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed information, and 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ) gives consumers the right to a full Method of Verification, including the name, address, and telephone number of the furnisher and copies of any documentation used to verify the information. None of this was provided. 

Additionally, I am an XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX servicemember. Pursuant to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act ( SCRA, 50 U.S.C. 3919 ), no creditor or consumer reporting agency may report information in a manner that adversely affects a servicemembers credit standing due to circumstances related to military service or deployment. Reporting this remark despite the accounts paid and closed status contradicts both the SCRA and the FCRAs accuracy requirements.

This situation has negatively impacted my creditworthiness, despite my full compliance and early payment before military deployment. I respectfully
request that the CFPB ensure that the credit reporting agencies : Provide the full Method of Verification and documentary evidence supporting this remark ; Conduct a supplemental reinvestigation under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) ; Remove or modify the remark to reflect Paid Closed {$0.00} Balance Pays As Agreed. The current reporting violates FCRA 607 ( b ), 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), 611 ( a ) ( 1 )
( A ), and 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ), as well as SCRA 3919, and is inconsistent with federal case law including Saunders v. BB & T and Cushman v. Trans Union Corp., 115 F.3d 220 ( 3d Cir. 1997 ).

I request that the CFPB and the Office of Servicemember Affairs review this complaint and ensure compliance with both the FCRA and SCRA protections for active-duty servicemembers.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation