Consumer complaint received 2025-10-02 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account information incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: DE

Complaint narrative:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX : Formal Complaint and Immediate Enforcement Demand Concerning Sham and Incomplete Reinvestigation by Equifax Regarding Inaccurate Reporting of XXXX Installment Loan Account # XXXX To the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau : I submit this formal complaint against Equifax Information Services LLC ( Equifax ) for its gross and continuing failure to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i, regarding my dispute involving inaccurate derogatory reporting on my XXXX installment loan account ( # XXXX ). 
Equifax produced a reinvestigation response dated XX/XX/XXXX ; however that response is incomplete and substantively deficient Equifax made limited file edits but failed to supply verifiable documentation, furnisher contact details, confirmation of human review, suppression of derogatory reporting during reinvestigation, its internal policies/procedures, and the full written verification procedures required by the FCRA. These outstanding deficiencies demonstrate a sham or inadequate reinvestigation and warrant immediate CFPB enforcement intervention. 
( For the CFPB record : my original dispute was submitted via the CFPB XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX ( CFPB XXXX ID : XXXX ). The CFPB XXXX shows Equifax responded on XX/XX/XXXX with a summary stating the item was verified and that Past Due, Balance, and Account History fields were modified. XXXX XXXX and mailed communications did not include the substantive verification documentation or furnisher contact details required under FCRA. ) Summary of Hardship I am a XXXX parent with an XXXX son, currently living in a hotel due to the financial strain caused by MOHELAs actions compounded by the Department of Education 's inaction. My income of {$960.00} per month is dramatically insufficient to meet my living expenses, particularly with hotel rates exceeding {$1100.00} biweekly. The derogatory marks placed on my credit report by XXXX directly prevent me from obtaining necessary funding and housing stability. This ongoing predicament has led to severe emotional distress and places me and my child at risk of eviction. 
Detailed Background and Points of Noncompliance Account : XXXX installment loan ending in XXXX Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX ; Report dates observed : XX/XX/XXXX ( updated as of XX/XX/XXXX ) Reported status : XXXX, 180 DAYS OR MORE PAST DUE, with narrative codes XXXX, XXXX, XXXX reported in inconsistent order. 
Reported balance in Equifax file : {$2100.00} ( discrepancies with other records ; original dispute cited {$2100.00} ). 
First reported delinquency date on file : XX/XX/XXXX ( disputed sequence of delinquency reporting and chronology ). 
My dispute and requested actions ( CFPB submission XX/XX/XXXX ) : Reinvestigate account under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ).

Delete or correct inaccurate/unverifiable information.

Provide reinvestigation results and a description of the verification procedure used, plus furnisher name and contact information per 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ). 
Temporarily suppress the negative/delinquent status during reinvestigation. 
Enclosed supporting documents ( ID, proof of address, credit reports, other evidence ). 
Equifax responses and what they reported : Equifax acknowledged receipt and indicated a reinvestigation completed ( response dated XX/XX/XXXX ; CFPB portal shows company response on XX/XX/XXXX ). 
Equifaxs summary : MISSOURI HIGHER EDUCATION LOAN EQUIFAX VERIFIED THAT THIS ITEM IS REPORTED CORRECTLY. 
Equifax states the following fields were modified : XXXX XXXX, XXXX, Account XXXX. 
Equifax provided a boilerplate description of its general investigation process and stated that furnisher contact details are shown under the resultson the cover letter accompanying a revised credit file. 
Comprehensive list of deficiencies, incomplete items, and inaccurate/missing responses from Equifax ( XXXX item below references my original requests and FCRA requirements ; XXXX responses are contrasted with what was required or requested. ) Reinvesitgation completeness XXXX from Equifax : XXXX claimed complete ( XX/XX/XXXX ). 
XXXX : XXXX completion notice is conclusory and unsupported by substantive evidence. The reinvestigation appears limited to electronic exchange with the furnisher and resulted only in limited field edits. 
Deletion or full correction of inaccurate tradeline Requested : Delete or correct unverifiable/inaccurate reporting ( e.g., Over 120 days past due, inconsistent narrative codes ). 
Equifax response : Item verified as reported correctly ; only XXXX XXXX, XXXX, Account XXXX fields were modified. 
XXXX : Equifax did not delete the tradeline nor fully correct the reported delinquency status ; derogatory status remains. 
Written reinvestigation results and verification procedure details ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) ( B ) ( iii ) ) Requested : Provide written notice describing procedures used to verify the information and furnishers contacted ( name, address, phone ). 
Equifax response : Boilerplate process description ; no casespecific verification documentation, no stepbystep account of records checked, and no specific verification procedure for this dispute. Equifax referenced a cover letter for furnisher contact info but did not provide the underlying verification records. 
XXXX : Failure to provide the specific verification procedures and supporting documentation used to verify this particular account. 
Furnisher contact details and communications log Requested : Furnisher name, address, phone number, and nature of communications during reinvestigation. 
Equifax response : Generic statement that such details appear on a cover letter accompanying a revised file. 
XXXX : No furnisher contact details or communication log were provided in the materials I received ; absent concrete contact information, I can not verify how the furnisher investigated or what source documents were used. 
XXXX XXXX vs. automated/computer verification ; identity and declaration of human reviewer Requested : Confirmation whether reinvestigation was completed solely by automated means ; if automated, proof that a qualified human XXXX reviewed and validated results INCLUDING name, title, signed declaration ; if not, perform humanled reinvestigation. 
Equifax response : No casespecific statement confirming human review or identification of any human reviewer for this dispute. Only a generic description of transmitting disputes to furnishers and receiving electronic results. 
XXXX : No assurance that a human XXXX reviewed or validated any automated outcome ; no human reviewer identification or signed statement provided. 
Suppression of derogatory reporting during reinvestigation Requested : Temporarily suppress the negative/delinquent status of the disputed tradeline during reinvestigation to prevent ongoing consumer harm ( CFPB guidance ). 
Equifax response : No indication that suppression occurred. 
XXXX : Equifax did not confirm suppression ; derogatory reporting continued. 
Timeliness and documentation of statutory timeframe compliance Requested : Evidence of receipt and completion dates to verify reinvestigation completed within 30 days per FCRA. 
Equifax response : Listed completion date ( XX/XX/XXXX ) but provided no evidence of receipt date, transmission to furnisher date, or timeline documentation. CFPB portal shows company response on XX/XX/XXXX, creating ambiguity about the dates and timeliness. 
XXXX : No clear evidence demonstrating compliance with the XXXX statutory window. 
Internal policies, procedures, quality control, and compliance with prior CFPB enforcement Requested : Provide internal policies and procedures governing FCRA reinvestigations, quality control/supervisory review protocols, and evidence of compliance with CFPB XX/XX/XXXX order. 
Equifax response : None ; no internal policies or QC documentation provided. 
XXXX : Equifax withheld internal documentation necessary to assess whether company procedures comport with FCRA obligations and the CFPB enforcement order. 
Delivery of reinvestigation documentation via portal and mailed correspondence Requested : Provide all reinvestigation documentation through the Equifax portal and by mail ( so I can review what verification was performed ). 
Equifax response : XXXX that a copy of dispute results has been mailed XXXX have been asserted generically ; in practice I have not received substantive mailed documentation or uploaded portal documentation containing verification records. 
XXXX : No supporting documents ( verification records, furnisher responses, communications logs ) were delivered to me via portal or mail. 
Specific inaccuracies in data still present on file Chronology errors : XXXX shows jump to XXXX days delinquent in XX/XX/XXXX despite apparent activity in XX/XX/XXXX Equifax XXXX not resolve or provide explanation. 
Narrative code inconsistencies : Codes XXXX ( deferment ), XXXX ( 150 days ), XXXX ( XXXX days ) reported in an inconsistent sequence Equifax XXXX not correct or explain sequencing. 
Balance discrepancy : My dispute cited {$2100.00} ; Equifax file shows {$2100.00} ; Equifax modified balance field but did not provide source documentation validating the new amount. 
Delinquency coding ( XXXX, XXXX ) and XXXX 120 days past due remain reported for XXXX XXXX Equifax did not delete or meaningfully correct these codes. 
XXXX characterization of the response as verified Equifax response : Declared the item verified as reported correctly. 
XXXX : Without the verification evidence or furnisher communications, the claim of verification is unsubstantiated and effectively a conclusory assertion rather than meaningful verification. 
Additional Allegations Willful Noncompliance and Stall Tactics Equifaxs pattern in this XXXX a conclusory verified finding with only limited field edits while refusing to provide supporting documentation and furnisher contact detailsconstitutes willful noncompliance, evasive behavior, and possible stall tactics to avoid transparency and accountability required under FCRA. The failure to provide internal policies and humanreview confirmation exacerbates concerns about adequacy of the reinvestigation. 
Request for Equifax XXXX XXXX and HumanReview Confirmation ( explicit demand ) I request that Equifax immediately provide, at minimum : A complete copy of its internal written policies and procedures governing FCRA reinvestigations, including any automated matching/verification rules, quality control, and supervisory review procedures. 
A detailed, itemspecific reinvestigation report for account XXXX showing : ( a ) the exact records searched or reviewed ; ( b ) the furnisher ( XXXX ) contacted ; ( c ) copies of all communications exchanged with furnishers and any records furnished by them ; ( d ) the dates and times of all transmissions and receipts ; ( XXXX ) the specific reason ( XXXX ) for each field modification ; ( f ) the identity ( name, title ) and signed statement of any human reviewer who validated the result. 
A clear statement whether any portion of the reinvestigation or verification was completed solely by automated processes. If so, produce documentary proof that a qualified human XXXX reviewed and validated the automated result for this dispute ( name, title, signed declaration ). If human validation did not occur, Equifax must perform and complete a humanled reinvestigation and provide complete supporting documentation. 
Proof that any derogatory status was suppressed during the reinvestigation ( if it was not suppressed, an explanation for nonsuppression and the legal basis ). 
Specific Demands for Immediate CFPB Enforcement I urgently request that the CFPB require Equifax to : Provide a full, substantive reinvestigation of the disputed XXXX account, correcting or deleting any inaccurate data consistent with statutory accuracy standards within XXXX calendar days of this complaint acceptance. 
Immediately provide me with : A complete reinvestigation report and documentation detailing the verification and validation procedures employed ( casespecific ). 
Written disclosure of furnishers contacted and copies of the communications/exhibits provided to or received from those furnishers. 
XXXX to all reinvestigation outcomes, supporting documentation, and any cover letters via the Equifax consumer portal and in mailed written form. 
Temporarily suppress the disputed derogatory status of the XXXX account during the reinvestigation, in accordance with CFPB recommendations. 
Disclose to the CFPB and me Equifaxs internal policies, procedures, quality control measures, and evidence of compliance with the CFPB XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX. 
Provide a direct update to the CFPB and to me ; do not close this complaint until full compliance and correction are documented and communicated effectively. 
Additionally and explicitly : Confirm in writing whether the reinvestigation at issue was completed solely via automated/computerized processes. If any automated processes were used, produce documentation demonstrating a human reinvestigator reviewed and validated the automated result for this dispute, including the human reviewers name, title, and a signed statement of review. If such human validation did not occur, Equifax must undertake and complete a humanled reinvestigation and provide the complete results and supporting documentation. 
Damages & Financial Exposure Calculations Statutory Damages XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) ( A ) Demand : {$1500.00} per violation Violation Amount Failure to conduct reasonable reinvestigation {$1500.00} Failure to disclose verification procedure {$1500.00} Failure to delete unverifiable info {$1500.00} Failure to maintain maximum accuracy {$1500.00} Continuing to report knowingly inaccurate data {$1500.00} Repeated monthly reporting ( 24 months ) {$36000.00} Subtotal Statutory Damages : {$43000.00} Actual & Emotional Distress Damages XXXX & XXXX Denials of credit/loans ( documented ) {$5000.00} Pain, suffering, reputational harm, emotional distress {$15000.00} Subtotal Actual Damages : {$20000.00} Punitive Damages XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) For willful misconduct postNorman settlement {$25000.00} Attorneys Fees & Costs XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ), XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) $ XXXX XXXX hours {$32000.00} Filing/service/expert costs {$5000.00} Subtotal Fees/Costs : {$37000.00} Total Minimum Exposure if Litigated : {$120000.00} ( exclusive of interest & ongoing harm ) Relevant Legal and Regulatory Authorities XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) : reasonable reinvestigation within 30 days, including furnisher notification. 
XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) ( B ) ( iii ) : written notice of reinvestigation results, verification procedures, and furnisher contact information. 
XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( b ) : reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy. 
CFPB XXXX Supervisory Highlights and prior CFPB/FTC guidance XXXX dispute handling and suppression of disputed derogatory items. 
CFPB XXXX to Equifax dated XX/XX/XXXX ( civil penalties for systemic reinvestigation failures ). 
Conclusion Equifaxs failure to provide reinvestigation documentation, furnisher contact details, a humanreview confirmation, internal policies/procedures, and the specific verification evidence required by the FCRA despite asserting completion of an investigation and making limited field edits severely undermines consumer rights and the integrity of consumer reporting. The conclusory verified finding without supporting documentation is inadequate and unacceptable under the FCRA. If this matter is not resolved promptly and fully, I will pursue statutory damages and all remedies available under XXXX XXXX. XXXX and XXXX, including attorneys fees and costs. 
XXXX I attest under penalty of perjury to the accuracy and truthfulness of this complaint submitted in good faith to protect my consumer financial rights under federal law. 
Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, DE XXXX Phone : XXXX Email : XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX Requested immediate actions summary Produce all requested documentation and internal policies within XXXX calendar days. 
Suppress derogatory reporting during reinvestigation. 
XXXX humanled reinvestigation if human validation did not occur and provide signed reviewer statement. 
Provide full written verification records, furnishers contact details, and communications logs. 
Confirm corrections or deletions and provide proof that all CRAs have received corrected updates. 
Email : XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation