Consumer complaint received 2025-05-13 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: PA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX Dispute of Collection Account Based on Willful Noncompliance Removing HARD Inquiries XX/XX/XXXX DateMar XXXX, XXXX CompanyXXXX AddressXXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, OH XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX CompanyXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX NC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CompanyXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX AddressXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, VA XXXX XXXX believe this collection account is being reported inaccurately. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681n of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), I am requesting that you investigate this dispute and remove the collection account from my credit report if it is found to be inaccurate or unverifiable.

I have disputed this information in the past, and the furnisher of this information has failed to properly investigate or provide accurate documentation. This failure constitutes a violation of the FCRA, and I request that the account be removed immediately.

Under 15 U.S.C. 1681n, I believe that the creditor and/or credit reporting agency is in willful noncompliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Specifically, the collection agency has failed to provide verification of the debt, and the credit bureau has not fully investigated the dispute in accordance with the FCRAs requirements.

As you know, the FCRA mandates that : The credit reporting agencies must investigate disputes and remove information that is inaccurate or unverifiable ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ).

If the collection account is not properly verified, it must be removed from the credit report ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ).

The collection agency is also required to provide adequate documentation upon request, and failure to do so constitutes willful noncompliance.

Given that the collection account has not been properly verified, and in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1681n, I am requesting the immediate removal of this collection account from my credit report. If you fail to comply with this request, I will be forced to pursue legal action under the provisions of the FCRA. 15 U.S.C. 1681n : " Any person who willfully fails to comply with any requirement of this subchapter with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of ( 1 ) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or damages of not less than {$100.00} and not more than {$1000.00} ; ( 2 ) such amount of punitive damages as the court may allow ; and ( 3 ) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action, together with reasonable attorneys fees. '' This provision means that if a credit reporting agency or collection agency is willfully noncompliant with FCRA requirements, you can seek punitive damages and force the removal of the collection from your report. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681n, I believe that the creditor and/or credit reporting agency is willfully failing to comply with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Specifically, the collection agency has failed to provide proper proof of the debt upon my request, and the credit bureau has not adequately investigated the dispute within the required time frame.

As per 15 U.S.C. 1681n, if any entity willfully fails to comply with the FCRA, they may be liable to me for : Actual damages sustained as a result of the failure ; Punitive damages as determined by a court ; The costs of the action including reasonable attorneys fees.

It is clear that under 15 U.S.C. 1681i, the credit reporting agency is obligated to investigate disputes within 30 days, and under 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ), they must ensure the accuracy and completeness of all information on my credit report. If the collection account is not properly verified and if the debt collector has not provided proof of this debt, the account should be removed from my credit report.

Please be advised that if the collection account is not verified or removed, I will be forced to take further action, which may include seeking punitive damages and legal costs under the provisions of 15 U.S.C. 1681n.

I request the removal of this collection account from my credit report within the next 30 days, as required by law. Failure to do so will result in legal action.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation