Consumer complaint received 2025-08-21 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
, I have conducted a thorough review of my reports from each bureau dated XX/XX/XXXX. The report reveals significant and widespread violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 
The substantial difference in credit scoresranging from XXXX and XXXX on the low end to XXXX on the high endis direct evidence of severe data inaccuracies being reported by TransUnion and Experian. These errors are causing tangible harm to the consumer 's financial well-being and livelihood. The failure of previous investigations to rectify these issues points to unreasonable reinvestigation procedures by the credit reporting agencies ( CRAs ) and the data furnishers. 
Below is a legal analysis of the violations found, a bureau-specific breakdown of inaccuracies, and customized disputes for each CRA and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ). 
XXXX XXXX XXXX FCRA Violations My credit reports contain clear evidence of multiple violations of my federally protected rights. The core issues stem from the bureaus ' failure to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the information they maintain and disseminate. 
XXXX. Violation of Maximum Possible Accuracy ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) / FCRA 607 ( b ) ) This statute requires CRAs to " follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information. '' * Why it's a violation : The XXXX gap between the Equifax score ( XXXX ) and the TransUnion score ( XXXX ) is incontrovertible proof that XXXX or more reports are fundamentally inaccurate. The massive discrepancy in total balances, with Experian reporting a balance of {$89000.00} versus Equifax 's {$6600.00}, further demonstrates a catastrophic failure to maintain accurate data. Accounts like XXXX are reported as " Current '' by Equifax while being " Late XXXX  Days '' on TransUnion and Experian, an impossible contradiction. 
XXXX. Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Reinvestigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i / FCRA 611 ) The FCRA guarantees a consumer the right to dispute inaccurate information. Upon receiving a dispute, the CRA must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and delete any information that is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or can not be verified. 
* Why it's a violation : Prior investigations failed to resolve these issues. The continued presence of demonstrably false and contradictory information is strong evidence that past reinvestigations were merely " parroting '' the incorrect data from the furnisher and were not " reasonable '' as required by law. 
XXXX. Furnisher 's Duty to Provide Accurate Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 / FCRA 623 ) This law mandates that data furnishers ( creditors, lenders, etc. ) report accurate and complete information and conduct a proper investigation of their own upon receiving notice of a dispute from a CRA. 
* Why it's a violation : Furnishers are providing conflicting data on identical accounts. For the " XXXX '' account, the balance is reported as {$170.00} by TransUnion and Equifax, but {$710.00} by Experian. For the " XXXX '' account, the high balance is reported as {$8.00}, {$520.00}, and {$0.00} by the XXXX bureaus, respectively. These furnishers are in violation of their duty to report accurately. 
XXXX. Failure to Maintain XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-1 / FCRA 605 ( c ) ) This provision requires CRAs to include an XXXX XXXX alert in the file of an XXXX XXXX military consumer upon request. This alert must then be included with any credit score or report generated. 
* Why it's a violation : The Experian report correctly includes an XXXX XXXX alert valid from XX/XX/XXXX. However, the reports from TransUnion and Equifax completely omit this alert. This is a serious violation that shows a failure to maintain a complete and accurate file for a servicemember, potentially denying him critical protections. 
Violations by Credit Bureau Here is a specific breakdown of the inaccuracies on each of XXXX XXXX XXXX  credit reports. 
TransUnion Violations * Failure to Include XXXX XXXX Alert : Fails to report the consumer 's XXXX XXXX military status, a critical component of his file. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Inaccurately reports the account as " Late XXXX  Days '' with an {$86.00} past due balance, while Equifax reports it as " XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Reports this collection account as " XXXX '', which contradicts Experian 's reporting of the same account as " Closed ''. This is also likely fragmented reporting of the " XXXX '' account on Equifax. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Reports a high balance of only {$8.00}, which is drastically inconsistent with Experian 's {$520.00} and Equifax 's balance reporting. 
* Derogatory and Collection Accounts : Reports multiple derogatory accounts ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX that are either unverified or inconsistently reported, contributing to the suppressed score. 
Experian Violations * XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : This is the most damaging item on any report. It is a massive family support account with a balance of {$62000.00} and a past due amount of {$61000.00}, reported as " Late XXXX  Days ''. This account appears only on Experian and is the primary reason for the {$89000.00} total balance and severely damaged score. Its singular presence makes it highly suspect and unverifiable. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Inaccurately reports the account as " Late XXXX  Days '' with an {$86.00} past due balance. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Reports an incorrect balance of {$710.00}, while the other XXXX bureaus report a balance of {$170.00}. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Reports this collection account as " Closed '', which contradicts TransUnion 's report. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Reports a high balance of {$520.00}, which is inconsistent with the other bureaus. 
Equifax Violations * Failure to Include XXXX XXXX Alert : Fails to report the consumer 's XXXX XXXX military status. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Reports the account as " XXXX '' with a {$0.00} past due balance, a direct contradiction to the " Late XXXX  Days '' status on the other XXXX reports. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Inaccurately reports this rental agreement as " Open '', while TransUnion and Experian both correctly report it as " Closed '' and " Paid ''. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Reports a derogatory collection account that is likely a fragment of the " XXXX '' account on the other XXXX bureaus. This indicates flawed and duplicative reporting. 
Dispute Letters for Bureaus and CFPB Submission Below are XXXX customized letters drafted for XXXX XXXX. He should send each letter via XXXX Mail with XXXX Receipt Requested to the corresponding credit bureau. He must keep a copy of each letter and the mailing receipts. These same letters should be uploaded as part of a formal complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ). 
Enclose the following with each letter : * A copy of the XXXX credit report. 
* A clear copy of a driver 's license or military ID. 
* A clear copy of a utility bill or bank statement showing his name and current address. 
Letter XXXX : To TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Date of Birth : XXXX [ Date ] TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Subject : Formal Dispute, Demand for Reinvestigation, and Correction of My File To Whom It May Concern : This letter is my formal dispute of numerous inaccuracies on my credit report pursuant to my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. The sheer volume of errors and inconsistencies on my report is causing me significant financial hardship. 
First and most importantly, your report fails to include my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, which is present on my Experian report. As a member of the armed forces, I am entitled to this protection. I demand that you immediately add the following statement to my file, as required by law : " XXXX XXXX ALERT : I AM CURRENTLY ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. DO NOT EXTEND CREDIT WITHOUT FIRST VERIFYING THE IDENTITY OF THE APPLICANT. I CAN BE REACHED AT XXXX. '' Furthermore, the following accounts are being reported inaccurately and must be deleted : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : Your report incorrectly lists this account as " Late XXXX  Days ''. My Equifax report shows it as " XXXX ''. This is a direct contradiction. This inaccurate information must be deleted. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX You report this collection as " XXXX, '' while Experian reports it as " Closed ''. This inconsistent and unverifiable information must be deleted. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  The balance information you report for this account is illogical and inconsistent with other bureaus. It must be deleted. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  These derogatory accounts are unverified. I demand a reasonable reinvestigation, and if they can not be verified, they must be deleted. 
I expect a thorough reinvestigation into these matters and the removal of the inaccurate accounts from my file within the XXXX period mandated by the FCRA. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX Letter XXXX : To Experian XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Date of Birth XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX Subject : Formal Dispute, Demand for Deletion of Grossly Inaccurate Information To Whom It May Concern : This is my formal dispute under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681i. My Experian report contains severe inaccuracies that are the primary cause of damage to my financial standing. 
I am disputing the following accounts, which are inaccurate, unverifiable, or contradictory : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  This is the most critical error. You are reporting a " Family support '' account with a balance of {$62000.00} and a past due amount of {$61000.00}. This enormous, severely derogatory item appears only on my Experian report and nowhere else. Its singular presence makes it highly suspect and unverifiable. I demand you conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and delete this entire tradeline immediately. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  You report a balance of {$710.00} on this account, while both TransUnion and Equifax report the balance as {$170.00}. This is a factual error that must be corrected or the account deleted. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Your report incorrectly lists this account as " Late XXXX  Days, '' which contradicts my Equifax report showing it as " XXXX ''. Delete this inaccurate information. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  You report this collection as " Closed, '' while TransUnion reports it as " XXXX ''. This contradiction means the data is unreliable and must be deleted. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  The balance information you report is completely inconsistent with the other bureaus and must be deleted. 
I demand that you conduct a reasonable reinvestigation, not a superficial one, and remove these damaging inaccuracies from my file within the 30 days required by law. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX Letter XXXX : To Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Date of Birth : XXXX Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX Subject : Formal Dispute of Inaccurate Information and Failure to Maintain File To Whom It May Concern : This is my formal dispute of inaccurate information on my credit report pursuant to my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. My Equifax report contains significant errors and omissions that must be corrected. 
First, your report fails to include my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, which is present on my Experian report. This is a serious failure to maintain a complete and accurate file for a servicemember. I demand that you immediately add the following statement to my file : " XXXX XXXX ALERT : I AM CURRENTLY ON ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY. DO NOT EXTEND CREDIT WITHOUT FIRST VERIFYING THE IDENTITY OF THE APPLICANT. I CAN BE REACHED AT XXXX. '' Furthermore, I am disputing the following inaccurate accounts : * XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX You are reporting this account as " XXXX '' with {$0.00} past due. My TransUnion and Experian reports both show this same account as " Late XXXX  Days ''. XXXX of these is incorrect, demonstrating the unreliability of the data. I demand this tradeline be deleted due to the unverifiable and contradictory information. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  You incorrectly report this account as " XXXX ''. My other reports correctly show it was paid and " Closed ''. Please correct this status immediately or delete the account. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  : This collection account appears to be a fragment of the " XXXX '' account on my other reports. This type of fragmented and potentially duplicative reporting is inaccurate and confusing. It must be deleted. 
I expect you to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and correct these errors within the XXXX timeframe mandated by the FCRA. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation