Consumer complaint received 2025-07-26 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB, I am submitting this complaint to bring to your attention numerous serious inaccuracies and unauthorized entries on my credit report that have severely damaged my creditworthiness and caused me significant hardship. 
Despite multiple attempts to resolve these issues directly with the credit reporting agencies and creditors, the errors remain unresolved. I hereby request your assistance to ensure compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and that these inaccuracies be fully investigated, corrected, or deleted promptly. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX WRONG ADDRESS Issue : This address does not belong to me. I never authorized or reported this residence to any institution. 
Law : FCRA 1681i requires all inaccurate data to be reinvestigated and removed if unverified. 
Story : The appearance of this address has triggered fraud alerts and delays in my loan application. It caused confusion and forced me to provide extra documentation to prove where I really live. It must be permanently removed. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX WRONG ADDRESS Issue : I have never resided or conducted any activity at this address. Its not part of my personal or financial history. 
Law : Under FCRA 1681c-2, I have the right to block information resulting from identity theft or misattribution.

Story : Because of this address, I was flagged during an employment background screening. This has deeply hurt my chances of advancing professionally. This error must be eliminated immediately. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX Issue : This account is reporting a late payment that occurred during a period where I was under severe medical and financial hardship. I contacted the creditor requesting assistance, but received no help. 
Law : Under FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ), creditors must report data accurately and investigate disputes thoroughly. 
Story : My family was undergoing a medical emergency and I had no income for several weeks. Despite reaching out and explaining my situation, the creditor reported me late and never responded. This damaged my credit score when I needed help most. I ask that this be removed from my report based on good faith and lack of verification. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX Issue : I made a minimum payment before the due date, but the creditor claimed it was late due to an online system error. I was not notified and wasnt given a chance to correct the issue. 
Law : FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) requires data furnishers to report with maximum accuracy. 
Story : I had scheduled the payment online, and it showed " processed. '' I only learned of the late payment after seeing a credit drop. I contacted XXXX XXXX, and they refused to assist. This unfair reporting needs correction and deletion. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX  Issue : The payment was made, but due to bank-to-bank processing delays, it was posted one day late. XXXX XXXX didnt honor the grace period. 
Law : FCRA 1681i mandates reinvestigation of disputed data, especially if the payment was not significantly delinquent. 
Story : I called XXXX XXXX to explain, and they acknowledged the delay but refused to update the report. This late payment has followed me and hurt my ability to qualify for decent auto loan terms. I request deletion in light of this unjust error. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX  Issue : I was under a temporary hardship and had requested deferment. XXXX never honored or documented it, and still reported me as late. 
Law : FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ) prohibits reporting of inaccurate or outdated information. 
Story : I lost my job and filed all requested paperwork for a hardship plan. They said they would hold off on reporting but still marked me late. This betrayal worsened my financial spiral. Please delete this entry. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX  Issue : I had an active autopay set up for this account. Due to a system error, payment did not go through and I wasnt notified. 
Law : Creditors are required under FCRA 623 to report accurate information and verify disputed data. 
Story : I trusted their autopay feature and never imagined it failed. By the time I learned of the issue, my score had dropped. This was not intentional and should not count as a negative mark. I respectfully request its removal. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX Issue : I experienced health issues during this time and was unable to manage all bills. I communicated with XXXX XXXX but they didnt provide assistance. 
Law : Under FCRA and Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ), lenders should make reasonable efforts to accommodate hardship cases. 
Story : I was hospitalized for several weeks, and couldnt manage my accounts. Despite trying to work out a plan, they reported me late. That mark is still affecting me today, years later. I request it be removed. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX Issue : I was not late the billing cycle was changed without proper notice, causing me to miss the payment date unknowingly. 
Law : FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ) and Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) require clear billing disclosures. 
Story : I always pay on time. The due date suddenly shifted and I had no idea. I made the payment as usual but was reported late. This was not my fault. Please correct or delete the entry. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX Issue : This account was in deferment at the time the late payment was reported. It should not have been listed as delinquent. 
Law : CARES Act + FCRA prohibit negative reporting during deferment or forbearance periods. 
Story : I followed all the rules, filled out forms, and confirmed deferment status. Despite this, I was marked late. This is not just inaccurate its illegal. Remove it immediately. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX  Issue : Same situation I was legally in deferment status. The late payment is completely unfounded. 
Law : FCRA 1681i and federal student loan laws prohibit such negative reporting. 
Story : These are federal loans, and deferment should protect me from damage. I have suffered unfair credit consequences from something I followed legally. Delete this now. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX LATE PAYMENT XXXX XXXX  Issue : I submitted payment using the app, but it glitched. I called immediately and was told it would be fixed it was not. 
Law : FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 2 ) mandates correction of known errors. 
Story : Ive banked with XXXX for years. I trusted their system. When it failed, they refused to update the report. This betrayal cost me a refinance approval. Please remove this entry. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX CHARGE OFF XXXX XXXX  Issue : I requested a hardship accommodation but was denied and charged off without warning. 
Law : FCRA requires accurate, fair treatment and FDCPA requires notice before collections or charge-offs. 
Story : I wanted to pay and asked for help. They refused, and reported a charge-off instead of working with me. I never had a chance. Please delete this entry. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CHARGE OFF XXXX XXXX Issue : This charge-off was added without any billing statement, phone call, or written notice. 
Law : FCRA + FDCPA require validation and notice before negative reporting. 
Story : I had no idea I even owed this debt. It showed up without warning. I was blindsided and denied a personal loan because of it. Please remove this unverified account. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX CHARGE OFF * XXXX XXXXssue : I was in dispute with this account, yet it was charged off anyway. 
Law : FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ) prohibits negative reporting during open disputes. 
Story : While I was negotiating a payment arrangement, they listed it as charged off. Thats unfair and illegal. Please remove this from my record. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX INQUIRY Issue : I did not authorize this inquiry. 
Law : FCRA 604 ( b ) ( 2 ) no inquiry without application.

Story : This appeared without my knowledge and dropped my credit score. I request immediate removal. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX INQUIRY Issue : No application or contact made unauthorized inquiry. 
Law : FCRA violation for non-consensual pull. 
Story : I dont have any relationship with this bank. This was not my doing. Please remove this inquiry. 
XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX INQUIRY Issue : Unauthorized inquiry no credit was sought from this lender. 
Law : FCRA requires consumer-initiated applications. 
Story : I was denied for a card elsewhere, and I think my info was sold. I did not agree to this. Please delete it. 
Summary of Impact : These errors have resulted in denied credit applications, increased interest rates, lost employment opportunities, and emotional distress. I have tried contacting the furnishers and credit bureaus, but the information remains uncorrected. 
Requested Action : I respectfully request the CFPB to : Investigate these disputes promptly. 
Ensure the credit reporting agencies and furnishers comply with FCRA requirements. 
Require deletion or correction of all inaccurate, unverifiable, and unauthorized information. 
Protect me from further harm caused by these errors. 
Please find attached copies of my credit report excerpts highlighting the disputed items and previous correspondence. 
Thank you for your assistance in rectifying these critical errors.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief