Consumer complaint received 2024-12-27 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: VA

Complaint narrative:
This response from Equifax has several inaccuracies or deficiencies when analyzed closely. Heres a detailed breakdown of the issues : -- - XXXX. Lack of Substantiation for Verification What Equifax Stated : " Equifax verified that this item belongs to me. '' Issue : Equifax fails to provide details on how this verification was conducted. They do not mention whether XXXX XXXX provided Equifax with evidence, such as an original signed contract or documentation proving the account belongs to you. Without tangible proof, this statement is insufficient under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), which mandates that disputed information must be thoroughly investigated and substantiated. 



-- - XXXX. Improper Burden Shifting Equifax Stated : " If i have documents that release me from this obligation, please forward a copy to them Issue : The FCRA places the burden of proof on the credit reporting agency and the furnisher ( XXXX  XXXX ), not the consumer. It is not my responsibility to provide documents. proving to there owe Equifax must obtain verification from the creditor and can not shift the investigative responsibility to me. 



-- - XXXX. Ambiguous Modifications Equifax Stated : " The following fields have been modified : Closed Date, Scheduled Payment, Past Due, Additional Information, Account History. '' Issue : This statement lacks clarity. Equifax does not specify what these changes are, how they align with my dispute, or if they resolve my concerns. This vagueness leaves me unable to confirm whether the account is now accurate or whether further disputes are necessary. 



-- - XXXX. Over-Reliance on the XXXX Equifax Stated : " Equifax electronically sends a notification of my dispute, including a summary of the relevant information submitted, to the respective furnisher. '' ( They haven't ) Stall tactic Issue : XXXX process appears to rely entirely on XXXX XXXX response rather than conducting its own independent investigation. The FCRA requires credit reporting agencies to ensure the accuracy of the information reported, not merely to forward disputes to creditors for resolution. If XXXX XXXX provided inadequate or no evidence, Equifax should have removed the account. 



-- - XXXX. Generalization of Investigation Process Equifax Stated : " Upon receipt of my dispute, we first review and consider any relevant information i submitted ... '' Issue : While Equifax explains the general investigation process, they fail to address my dispute. They do not detail what information i submitted, how it was considered, or how the decision to verify the account was made. This response seems boilerplate and dismissive rather than addressing your specific concerns. 



-- - XXXX. Absence of Supporting Documentation Equifax Did Not Provide : They did not include any documentation from XXXX XXXX proving that the account belongs to me, such as : The original signed agreement. 

Statements or transaction records tied to my identity. 

Other supporting documentation. 


Issue : Without such evidence, Equifaxs claim that the account was " verified '' is unsupported and potentially a violation of the FCRA. 



-- - XXXX. Potential FCRA Violation Legal Requirement : The FCRA mandates that disputed information must be verified, corrected, or deleted within 30 days if it can not be substantiated. 

Issue : If Equifax verified this account without receiving sufficient evidence from XXXX XXXX, they XXXX have failed to meet their obligations under the FCRA. 



-- - XXXX. Misleading Attempt to Resolve Concerns Equifax Stated : " We hope this resolves your concerns ... '' Issue : This closing statement dismisses the fact that my primary concernverifiable proof that the account belongs to mewas not addressed. Instead of resolving the issue, the response creates further ambiguity about the accuracy of the account and the investigation process. 




XXXX. Demanding Proof : Requesting Equifax to provide the original signed contract or documentation proving the account is valid. 



Let me know if you need help drafting follow-up correspondence or filing a formal complaint!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation