Consumer complaint received 2025-01-20 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  To : Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Subject : Formal Complaint and Demand for Compliance Under the FCRA, FDCPA, CFPB, and FTC Guidelines COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENTS, This letter serves as a formal complaint and demand for immediate compliance regarding multiple violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) guidelines. These violations have resulted from Equifax and XXXX  willful and negligent actions in reporting, investigating, and resolving inaccurate information on my credit file. 

Specific Violations of Federal XXXX Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) Equifax and XXXX  actions constitute breaches of several FCRA provisions designed to protect consumers : XXXX. XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( b ) - Failure to Ensure Maximum Possible Accuracy Both credit bureaus failed to maintain accurate information on my credit report by : Reporting previously removed and inactive accounts, including XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
Allowing these accounts to reappear without conducting proper investigations or verifying their legitimacy. 
Reporting inaccurate personal information, including multiple incorrect addresses and name variations, despite my repeated requests for correction. 
XXXX. 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) - Failure to Conduct Reasonable Reinvestigations Both Equifax and XXXX conducted sham investigations by : Issuing verified results within an unreasonably short time frame ( often less than XXXX hours ) without adequate documentation to support their findings. 
Failing to provide the legally required method of verification for disputed accounts, particularly for XXXX XXXX and Department of Education student loans. 
Re-inserting previously removed accounts ( e.g., XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) without following proper reinvestigation procedures or providing written notice as required under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( XXXX ). 
XXXX. 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) - Reporting Obsolete Information Equifax has continued to report Department of Education student loans with delinquency statuses beyond the statutory reporting period, in direct violation of this provision. 
XXXX. 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( c ) - Failure to Provide Documentation of Disputes Both credit bureaus failed to provide me with dispute documentation or verification results when requested, leaving me with no means to verify the validity of their conclusions. 

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) In collaboration with debt collectors, Equifax and XXXX have violated the FDCPA by failing to hold data furnishers accountable and perpetuating deceptive reporting practices. 
XXXX. 15 U.S.C. 1692e - False or Misleading Representations Debt collectors, including XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX, provided inaccurate or fraudulent information to the credit bureaus, which was subsequently reported without question. 
The credit bureaus falsely verified debts and account statuses, misleading me and any XXXX-party users of my credit report. 
XXXX. 15 U.S.C. 1692f - Unfair Practices Unfair and deceptive practices include the re-reporting of accounts that had been previously removed after extensive complaints ( e.g., XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
The unauthorized initiation of disputes on my behalf by the bureaus without my knowledge or consent, followed by closing those disputes prematurely. 
XXXX. 15 U.S.C. 1692g - Failure to Validate Debts Credit bureaus allowed debt collectors to report accounts without requiring proper validation of debts, despite my repeated disputes and requests for documentation. 

Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Guidelines Equifax and XXXX violated the XXXX  guidelines for fair and transparent credit reporting by engaging in the following : XXXX. Failure to Provide Method of Verification ( XXXX  ) Both credit bureaus refused to comply with my requests for the method of verification for disputed accounts, including XXXX XXXX. This violates FTC guidance requiring consumer reporting agencies to disclose how disputes are verified. 
XXXX. Re-Insertion of Removed Accounts Without Notification Equifax re-reported removed accounts ( e.g., XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX providing me with the legally required written notice or justification, as outlined by the FTC. 
XXXX. Reporting Inaccurate Personal Information Both bureaus ignored FTC guidelines requiring the correction of inaccuracies in consumer reports, including erroneous addresses and name variations. 
XXXX. Deceptive Reporting Practices Equifax and XXXX engaged in deceptive practices by issuing verified results for disputes without conducting legitimate investigations, causing harm to my creditworthiness and reputation. 

Violations Regarding Specific Accounts XXXX. XXXX XXXX Both bureaus failed to provide verification, including a signed contract or proof of a business relationship, for this tradeline. 
Their refusal to provide the method of verification constitutes violations under FCRA and FTC rules. 
XXXX. Department of Education XXXX XXXX Equifax inaccurately reported delinquent statuses for these loans, despite a {$0.00} balance and their status as fully paid. These errors violate FCRA requirements for accuracy and reinvestigation. 
XXXX. Inactive and Removed Accounts Repeated re-reporting of accounts from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX FCRA and FDCPA provisions. 
Each of these accounts was previously removed after extensive complaints to the CFPB, FTC, and XXXX. 

Demands for Compliance and Remediation I demand the following actions within XXXX  days from the date of this letter : XXXX. Investigate and Resolve Active Accounts Properly reinvestigate the XXXX XXXX account and Department of Education student loans, providing full verification or deleting these tradelines if verification can not be provided. 
XXXX. Prevent Re-Reporting of Removed Accounts Confirm in writing that removed accounts ( e.g., XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) will not be re-reported unless fully validated. 
XXXX. Correct Personal Information Remove all incorrect addresses and name variations. My correct information is as follows : Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX Employment : XXXX  and XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX. Provide Documentation of Compliance Issue a detailed response documenting all actions taken to resolve these violations and steps implemented to prevent future noncompliance. 
XXXX. Compensation for Damages Compensate me for financial harm, emotional distress, and legal expenses incurred as a result of these violations. 

Legal Notice Failure to comply with this demand will result in further action, including filing formal complaints with the CFPB, FTC, and state attorneys general, as well as pursuing litigation for violations of the FCRA, FDCPA, and FTC guidelines. 

I expect your full compliance and a timely response to this letter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation