Consumer complaint received 2025-08-29 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding multiple inaccurate, unverifiable, and misleading items being reported on my credit report. These errors have caused me financial harm, emotional stress, and have restricted my ability to access fair credit opportunities. I have tried to resolve these matters directly with the credit reporting agencies and the furnishers of the information, but they have failed to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA, 15 U.S.C. XXXX ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. XXXX ). 
Below are the specific disputed accounts : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Wrong Address Issue : This address is not mine. Law : FCRA XXXX ( b ) requires agencies to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum accuracy. Story : This false address creates a misleading impression that I lived at a place I never did. Because of this, I have been questioned during applications about my residence history, which caused me embarrassment and delays. I have had to explain repeatedly that this is not my residence, making me feel like I am being accused of dishonesty. Such stress and humiliation are unacceptable, especially when I am applying for credit or rental housing. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Wrong Address Issue : Incorrectly tied to my name. Law : FCRA XXXX requires that false information be blocked once disputed. Story : Having an address linked to me where I never lived is not just an errorit paints me as someone with a scattered and inconsistent background. This damages my reputation and credibility. At times, I feel like I am being punished for mistakes that are not even mine, and this affects my confidence when applying for important opportunities like housing, jobs, or loans. 
XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$0.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment Issue : Reporting late payments on an account with a {$0.00} balance is misleading. Law : FCRA XXXX and FDCPA XXXX prohibit furnishing false or misleading information. Story : This negative reporting is absurdhow can a {$0.00} balance have ongoing late payments? It suggests I am delinquent on nothing, yet my credit report punishes me as if I failed to pay. This causes lenders to lose trust in me, and I feel like I am constantly battling against a system stacked against consumers. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$830.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Charge-Off Issue : Reported as a charge-off without validation. Law : FDCPA XXXX requires debt validation. Story : This false charge-off has destroyed my ability to qualify for fair credit. It portrays me as someone who abandoned financial obligations, when in reality no proof exists. Because of this XXXX entry, I have faced repeated denials for apartments, auto loans, and reasonable credit terms. It creates unnecessary shame and anxiety that I should not have to endure. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$850.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Charge-Off Issue : Another unverifiable charge-off. Law : FCRA XXXX requires deletion if an account can not be verified. Story : This account wrongly paints me as a financial risk. It prevents me from being trusted with even small lines of credit. I feel like I am locked out of opportunities that could help me rebuild. This false reporting is not just inaccurateit is oppressive, keeping me in a cycle of rejection. 
XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$1000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment Issue : Reporting late payments without proof. Law : FCRA XXXX requires full details of payment history. Story : These late payments damage my reputation. Because of them, I have had to pay higher deposits on utilities and services, which strains my limited resources. It also makes me look like I can not manage even basic accounts, which is humiliating. 
XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$540.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Charge-Off Issue : Reported as charged-off without proper documentation. Law : FCRA XXXX requires fair and accurate reporting. Story : This entry creates the false impression that I walked away from my obligations. Because of this, lenders hesitate to trust me, and I am punished financially for something that is not even valid. This charge-off not only lowers my score but also emotionally impacts me every time I am denied an opportunity. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$280.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Charge-Off Issue : Unvalidated charge-off. Law : FDCPA XXXX prohibits misrepresenting debt status. Story : This entry makes me appear like I defaulted on a small balance that I never received validation for. It makes me look careless and unreliable when there is no evidence. Such false reporting creates a stigma around my financial profile, closing doors to fair opportunities. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$440.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Charge-Off Issue : This account is being reported as a charge-off without proper validation. Law : FDCPA XXXX requires validation of debts, and FCRA XXXX ( b ) requires maximum possible accuracy. Story : This false charge-off unfairly suggests I abandoned a small debt. Because of this report, my application for a store credit card was denied, forcing me to pay out of pocket for necessities at a time when I was already struggling. The embarrassment of being denied in front of others left me humiliated and anxious about even trying to apply again. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX * * High Balance : {$3400.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Charge-Off Issue : Reported as a charge-off without proof. Law : FDCPA XXXX prohibits false representation of debt. Story : This entry paints me as irresponsible when there is no documentation. It blocked me from qualifying for a furniture financing program, forcing me to live without basic items I needed in my home. I feel punished and trapped by inaccurate reporting that takes away my dignity and comfort. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX High Balance : {$4800.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Charge-Off Issue : Unvalidated charge-off. Law : FCRA XXXX requires removal if unverifiable. Story : This report prevented me from accessing affordable financing options. Instead, I was forced to use predatory lenders with extremely high interest rates, draining my income and worsening my financial situation. This created a cycle of debt I am still trying to escape, all because of a false report that should never have been allowed. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX High Balance : {$620.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection Issue : This collection has not been validated. Law : FDCPA XXXX requires collectors to provide written validation. Story : Because of this collection entry, I have been treated like a delinquent consumer when applying for basic services like internet and phone. I was forced to pay larger deposits, straining my limited budget and leaving me constantly behind. It feels unfair that I am being punished for something I do not even owe. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX High Balance : {$660.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection Issue : Inaccurate and unverified collection. Law : FDCPA XXXX prohibits misleading collection reporting. Story : This collection lowered my credit score and made lenders doubt my ability to repay. Because of this, I was denied a small personal loan that I needed for emergency car repairs. I ended up losing reliable transportation for weeks, which disrupted my job schedule and put my employment at risk. The ripple effect of this false entry has caused severe personal hardship. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$440.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection Issue : Wrongfully reported collection. Law : FCRA XXXX ( b ) requires accuracy. Story : This account is damaging because it portrays me as someone who can not repay even small balances. Because of this report, I was forced to pay higher premiums on my car insurance due to my low credit score. This creates financial pressure every single month, making it harder to provide for my family. 
XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$540.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection Issue : Duplicate and unverifiable collection. Law : FCRA XXXX requires correction or deletion of duplicates. Story : Having multiple entries from the same furnisher doubles the damage to my credit score. It makes me look like I have multiple defaults when in reality, it is the same disputed and unverified account. This is deeply unfair and multiplies the financial harm I face, making it nearly impossible to recover. 
XXXX  XXXX High Balance : {$840.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection Issue : Reported without validation. Law : FDCPA XXXX requires proof before reporting. Story : This entry is causing severe barriers in my financial life. I was recently required to pay a much higher security deposit for an apartment solely because of this false collection, which drained money I needed for moving expenses and food. This entry not only damages my financial stability but also my emotional well-being, leaving me feeling trapped and hopeless. 
XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$610.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Charge-Off Issue : This account is reported as charged-off without proper validation.Law : FDCPA XXXX requires validation of debt, FCRA XXXX requires unverifiable accounts be deleted.Story : This false report portrays me as if I defaulted on an account I never received proper notice for. Because of this, I was denied financing for basic home repairs, forcing me to live with unsafe conditions longer than necessary. The stress this caused my family is immeasurable. 
Unauthorized / Harmful Inquiries XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX Inquiry Issue : Unauthorized inquiry.Story : Because of this, my score dropped and I was forced into higher interest Legal Basis FCRA XXXX ( A ) : Requires credit reporting to be accurate and fair. 
FCRA XXXX & XXXX : Gives me the right to request all information and demand reinvestigation when items are disputed. 
FDCPA XXXX & XXXX : Prohibits debt collectors from reporting debts without validation and from engaging in false or misleading representations. 
Harm & Damages Because of these inaccurate entries, I have faced denials of credit, higher interest rates, and emotional distress. The reporting agencies and furnishers have failed in their duty to maintain maximum possible accuracy, instead allowing unverified accounts to remain on my report. 
Requested Action I respectfully request that the CFPB investigate these violations and compel the credit bureaus and furnishers to : XXXX. Delete these inaccurate and unverifiable accounts from my credit report. 
XXXX. Provide full validation and documentation if they claim the accounts are legitimate. 
XXXX. Ensure compliance with the FCRA and FDCPA to prevent further harm. 
I trust the CFPB will hold these entities accountable for their unlawful reporting practices. Thank you for your time and attention to this serious matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief