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 writing to file an official complaint against several credit reporting agencies and furnishers for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and related federal consumer protection laws. My credit file contains numerous inaccurate addresses, false late payments, unjust charge-offs, and unauthorized collection entries that are causing me financial harm, housing denials, and emotional stress. Despite prior disputes, these items remain unresolved. 
I am requesting the CFPB to open an investigation into the following issues and hold the data furnishers and reporting agencies accountable : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX Wrong Address Issue : This address is not my residence, and I have no prior link to it. 
Law : Under FCRA, credit reporting agencies must ensure the reported data pertains only to the subject consumer. 
Story : I was alerted to this address after being denied for a business credit card. The underwriting department said the address discrepancy was a contributing factor. I am suffering unjust consequences due to misinformation I never caused or consented to. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Late Payment * * Opened : XX/XX/XXXX High Credit : {$550.00} Issue : Incorrectly reported late payment ; I was actively in a payment arrangement. 
Law : FCRA XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) bars furnishers from reporting false or misleading information, especially when a dispute or arrangement is in place. 
Story : I was enrolled in a payment plan after hardship due to a medical emergency. Denefits agreed to defer my payments but still reported me late. I contacted their customer service multiple times and received no response or resolution. This late report has unfairly lowered my credit score and hurt my ability to access financing for essential needs. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX High Credit : {$720.00} Issue : Late payment caused by internal system glitch while using auto-pay.

Law : FCRA 1681e ( b ) mandates accurate reporting ; furnishers are liable for failure to update consumer disputes.

Story : I had auto-pay set up. One month, payment failed due to a backend error by SELFs payment processor. I was never notified until the late mark appeared on my report. I paid manually once I found out. The reporting was unjust, and my appeal was ignored, costing me points and credibility. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XX/XX/XXXX High Credit : {$170.00} Issue : I closed this utility account with a XXXX balance and never received notice of a past-due amount. 
XXXX : FDCPA XXXX ( a ) requires that the consumer be notified before a debt is reported or charged off. 
Story : I moved out of my apartment and paid final balances. Years later, I found this charged-off utility on my report. No letters, no bills, no collection attempt was ever made. I had no chance to contest or settle before damage was done. This has deeply affected my rental history. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXate Payment * * Opened : XX/XX/XXXX High Credit : {$940.00} Issue : I notified XXXX in advance of a hardship and requested assistance ; they ignored my request. 
Law : The CARES Act encouraged accommodation during XXXX, and FCRA still XXXX to fair reporting. 
Story : After a COVID-related job loss, I contacted XXXX to request deferral or hardship support. Despite this, they reported me 30 days late, ignoring my documented effort to communicate. This resulted in declined car loan refinancing, increased interest rates, and undue stress. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Late Payment * * Opened : XX/XX/XXXX High Credit : {$780.00} Issue : Late payment posted due to an internal posting delay at XXXX. 
Law : FCRA XXXX requires accurate and prompt corrections when an error is identified. 
Story : I submitted my payment through XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX days before the due date. However, due to weekend processing delays, it posted late. I provided screenshots, but they refused to amend it. I was penalized for a technical delay outside my control. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Opened : XX/XX/XXXX High Credit : {$530.00} Issue : Charged off after just XXXX missed payment, no prior warning or collection attempt. 
Law : FDCPA and FCRA require notice and due process before adverse actions. 
Story : I missed XXXX payment due to a banking delay and intended to catch up the following week. Instead, XXXX charged off the full account. I was given no warning or chance to pay it back. This aggressive treatment harmed my credit unfairly. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Opened : XX/XX/XXXX High Credit : {$0.00} Issue : There was no active balance, yet the account was reported as charged off. 
XXXX : FCRA prohibits the reporting of fictitious or incorrect debt. 
XXXX : This entry makes no sense. There was no debt, no activity, and no valid charge-off. The appearance of this on my file has raised red flags during bank verification processes and gives a false impression of my financial conduct. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Collection Opened : XX/XX/XXXX High Credit : {$4900.00} Issue : Sent to collections while under active dispute and without notice. 
XXXX : FCRA XXXX ( b ) requires resolution of disputes before adverse action. 
Story : I disputed charges with XXXX XXXX due to overbilling on a retail item. While waiting for a response, they sold it to collections. No response, no call, no notice. This betrayal of trust ruined my score during a critical mortgage preapproval phase. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Charge Off * * Opened : XX/XX/XXXX High Credit : {$1100.00} Issue : Charged off despite active communication and partial payments. 
Law : FCRA and FDCPA require good faith resolution efforts and accurate handling of consumer obligations. 
Story : I attempted to negotiate a payment plan with this creditor, and made several partial payments. Despite that, they unexpectedly charged off the account. I was told no such thing would happen, and the impact on my credit has been devastating. 
Summary & Relief Sought : I am requesting that the CFPB investigate these violations and direct the credit reporting agencies and furnishers to : Remove all the inaccurate addresses listed above Correct or delete all late payments that were improperly reported Delete all charge-offs and collection accounts that violate my consumer rights Provide documentation to validate all entries Compensate for damages caused by these errors where applicable The harm caused by these false entries is ongoing and substantial. I rely on accurate credit reporting for access to housing, employment, and basic financial tools. These errors violate my rights and have caused real, measurable hardship.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief