Consumer complaint received 2025-04-03 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: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
Company Complained About : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX Secondary Companies Involved : American Express XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX NY XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, DE XXXX Subject : Demand for Immediate Removal of All Data ( Including Inquiries ) from XXXX Report and Maximum Legal Remedies for Systemic FCRA Violations, Sham Investigations, and Refusal to Disclose Validation Methods Complaint Details : What Happened Despite numerous disputes submitted through your portal ( e.g., CFPB Complaint IDs : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ), extensive evidence including FTC Identity Theft Report # XXXX ( filed XX/XX/XXXX ), updated credit reports, and direct correspondence with XXXX, American Express ( Amex ), and XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), XXXX continues to report unverified derogatory dataincluding charge-offs , late payments, and unauthorized inquirieson my credit profile. Neither XXXX nor the furnishers ( Amex accounts : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ; XXXX  accounts : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ) have validated these debts with original documentation ( e.g., wet-ink signed applications, IP logs, chain of title ). Worse, XXXX refuses to disclose its investigation methods, a practice your XX/XX/XXXX, lawsuit against XXXX identifies as systemic sham investigations costing consumers millions ( CFPB XXXX XXXX. XXXX ). 
XXXX ongoing reporting of this data, despite my evidence of identity theft and repeated demands for validation, has caused severe financial harm, credit damage, and emotional distress. This complaint seeks the complete removal of all data from my XXXX report and full compensation under every available legal remedy, leveraging your authority and recent enforcement actions. 
Specific Violations 1 Sham Investigations & Refusal to Disclose Methods ( FCRA 1681i ( a ) ) : XXXX has failed to conduct reasonable investigations into my disputes, as required by FCRA, mirroring the faulty intake and investigation processes cited in your XX/XX/XXXX, lawsuit ( CFPB Press Release, XX/XX/XXXX ). 
Despite my requests ( e.g., Chat ID : XX/XX/XXXX ), XXXX refuses to disclose its validation methods, leaving me unable to verify compliance with FCRAs requirement for maximum possible accuracy ( 1681e ( b ) ). 
Case Law : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) CRAs must conduct thorough investigations ; XXXX opacity violates this standard. 
XXXX Failure to Block Identity Theft Data ( FCRA XXXX ) : XXXX has not blocked fraudulent accounts and inquiries within four days of receiving my FTC Identity Theft Report, a violation your XX/XX/XXXX, order penalizes with $ XXXX for systemic noncompliance ( Chat ID : XX/XX/XXXX CFPB XXXX ). 
XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Cir. XXXX ) Failure to block justifies damages. 
XXXX Reinsertion of Unverified Data ( FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ) : XXXX has reinserted derogatory items ( e.g., Amex charge-offs, XXXX late payments ) post-dispute without notice or verification from furnishers, a practice your lawsuit confirms as widespread ( Chat ID : XX/XX/XXXX ). 
Case Law : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) Reinsertion without compliance is actionable. 
XXXX Reporting Unverified Data ( FCRA 1681e ( b ) ) : XXXX continues reporting Amex and XXXX accounts despite their failure to provide original contracts, IP logs, or chain of title, violating accuracy standards ( Chat ID : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX parallel ; XX/XX/XXXX Amex ). 
Case Law : XXXX XXXX XXXX Banking XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) CRAs must ensure accuracy or face liability. 
5 Willful Noncompliance ( FCRA 1681n ) : Equifaxs refusal to validate or remove data, coupled with its nondisclosure of methods, constitutes reckless disregard, especially given your lawsuits findings of systemic violations costing consumers over $ XXXX annually ( CFPB Case No. XXXX ). 
XXXX XXXX : XXXX Ins. XXXX of XXXX. XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) Willful noncompliance includes reckless inaction. 
6 FTC Guidelines & Federal Law Violations : Equifaxs practices contravene FTC guidelines under 16 CFR 660.3, requiring CRAs to verify furnisher data with reasonable procedures ( Chat ID : XX/XX/XXXX inferred from creditor disputes ). 
XXXX XXXX : FTC v. XXXX XXXX, XXXX. XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX FTC enforcement underscores XXXX duty to protect consumers. 
XXXX Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act ( XXXX ) Ohio Rev. Code XXXX : XXXX refusal to remove unverified data is deceptive, entitling me to treble damages ( ChaXXXX ID : XX/XX/XXXX ). 
XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. XXXX ( XXXX ) Willful CSPA violations justify treble damages. 
Harm Caused Financial Harm : Loss of credit access and increased borrowing costs due to Equifaxs reporting of unverified Amex and XXXX data ( Chat ID : XX/XX/XXXX ). 
Credit Damage : Lowered credit score from charge-offs, late payments, and inquiries, as reported by XXXX ( XXXX ID : XX/XX/XXXX CFPB XXXX ). 
Emotional Distress : Ongoing stress from XXXX refusal to act, compensable under FCRA ( Chat ID : XX/XX/XXXX CFPB XXXX parallel ). 
Desired Resolution I demand the following remedies under your authority and all applicable laws : XXXX Immediate Removal of All Data from XXXX Report : Delete all data, including accounts ( Amex : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ; XXXX : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ), charge-offs, late payments, inquiries, and any adverse information associated with my identity. 
XXXX Full Disclosure of Investigation Methods : Order XXXX to provide a detailed report of its investigation methods for each disputed item, including furnisher correspondence, as required by FCRA transparency ( Chat ID : XX/XX/XXXX ). 
3 Maximum Statutory and Punitive Damages : FCRA 1681n : {$1000.00} per violation ( minimum {$12000.00} for XXXX accounts/inquiries ), plus actual damages ( e.g., financial losses ) and punitive damages for willful noncompliance. 
CSPA 1345.09 : Treble damages for financial harm ( e.g., $ XXXX in lost credit opportunities ). 
Total Minimum Demand : {$50000.00} from XXXX, reflecting statutory, actual, punitive, and treble damages. 
XXXX Cease Reporting Unverified Data : Prohibit XXXX from reporting any data from Amex, XXXX, or other furnishers without original validation documents. 
XXXX Systemic Enforcement : Expand your XX/XX/XXXX, lawsuit ( CFPB XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) XXXX include this case, imposing additional penalties on XXXX for ongoing violations XXXX 
XXXX Written Confirmation : Require XXXX to provide a notarized letter confirming full data removal and compliance within 15. 

Updated XXXX credit reports showing persistent derogatory items ( Attached ). 
Prior CFPB complaints ( e.g., XXXX, XXXX Referenced ). 
Correspondence with Amex and XXXX showing validation failures. 
Legal Basis for CFPB Action CFPA 1055 ( 12 U.S.C. 5565 ) : Authorizes restitution, damages, and injunctive relief for consumer harm.

FCRA Enforcement ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s ) : Grants CFPB authority to penalize CRAs for noncompliance.

FTC Act 5 ( 15 U.S.C. 45 ) : Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts, as seen in XXXX practices. 
Ongoing CFPB Lawsuit ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : Provides precedent for systemic relief and penalties ( CFPB Case No. XXXX ). 
Conclusion Equifaxs refusal to validate debts with Amex and XXXX, disclose investigation methods, and remove all data from my reportdespite overwhelming evidencemirrors the systemic violations your XX/XX/XXXX, lawsuit addresses. This complaint demands full removal of all data, maximum compensation, and enforcement action to protect me and other consumers. I urge the CFPB to act swiftly under its full authority. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation