Consumer complaint received 2025-07-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a fraudulent XXXX XXXX account ( Account Number : XXXX  ) that is negatively impacting my Experian credit report and causing significant financial and emotional distress. This account was opened due to identity theft, and despite my best efforts, I was forced to make a payment to mitigate further damage to my credit. 
The account in question, identified as XXXX  XXXX, Account Number XXXX, was opened on XX/XX/XXXX. My Experian report, as of XX/XX/XXXX, shows this account with a status of " Closed '' and " Paid in settlement, {$120.00} written off. '' The 24-month payment history for this account shows multiple red marks, indicating missed or late payments, particularly from XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/XXXX. 
I emphatically state that this XXXX account is not mine, nor did I authorize its opening. I am a victim of identity theft. All other accounts on my credit report are, and always have been, paid 100 % on time. This fraudulent XXXX account is the sole negative mark on my payment history and is a direct result of criminal activity. 
Upon discovering this fraudulent account, I attempted to resolve the issue directly with XXXX. However, I encountered extreme difficulty and frustration due to their unhelpful overseas support and excessively long response times. Despite the urgency of an identity theft situation, I found it almost impossible to communicate effectively or get a timely resolution. To prevent further, prolonged, and severe damage to my credit score, and feeling I had no other recourse given the lack of cooperation and responsiveness from XXXX, I was regrettably compelled to pay the outstanding balance, which was subsequently reported as " Paid in settlement, {$120.00} written off. '' This situation has caused immense stress and has unfairly damaged my creditworthiness. The " Paid in settlement '' status and the reported missed payments, all stemming from a fraudulent account, inaccurately represent my financial responsibility and are hindering my ability to access credit and manage my finances effectively. It is fundamentally unjust that I, as a victim of identity theft, have had to bear the burden of both paying for a fraudulent debt and suffering the adverse consequences on my credit report. 
I respectfully request that the CFPB investigate this matter thoroughly. I ask for your assistance in having this fraudulent account removed from my credit report entirely, reflecting that it was a result of identity theft and not a legitimate debt or a reflection of my payment behavior. 
Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your prompt assistance in resolving this egregious error and restoring the accuracy of my credit report.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation