Consumer complaint received 2024-12-17 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX. Summary of Complaint This complaint outlines Equifaxs systemic violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) through inaccurate reporting, failure to reinvestigate disputes, and inconsistencies in reporting key accounts across credit reporting agencies ( CRAs ). These violations relate to : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( fraudulent account previously removed ) The inconsistencies between Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX clearly demonstrate Equifaxs failure to meet its obligations under FCRA Section 607 ( b ) to ensure maximum possible accuracy. These issues have caused significant financial harm, emotional distress, and reputational damage.

2. Legal Framework Equifaxs actions violate the following statutes : FCRA Section 607 ( b ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) : Maximum Possible Accuracy Equifax must ensure all information reported is accurate, complete, and verifiable.

FCRA Section 611 ( a ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) : Duty to Reinvestigate Equifax must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed information within 30 days.

FCRA Section 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) : Blocking Fraudulent Accounts Equifax must block fraudulent accounts within four business days of receiving valid documentation. 
XXXX. Evidence of Violations and Account Comparisons XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax Violations : Inconsistent Payment History Across CRAs : XXXX : On Time payments for XXXX XXXX. 
60 Days Late in XX/XX/XXXX. 
Returns to XXXX XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX. 
Charge-off by XX/XX/XXXX. 
XXXX : On XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX. 
60 Days Late in XX/XX/XXXX. 
Returns to XXXX XXXX for XXXX XXXX. 
Charge-off in XX/XX/XXXX. 
Equifax : On XXXX for XXXX XXXX. 
60 Days Late in XX/XX/XXXX, followed by XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX. 
Charge-off in XX/XX/XXXX. 
Illogical Reporting : Payments marked as 60 Days Late after On Time payments is unreasonable and unsupported. 
The charge-off status lacks progression or supporting delinquency history. 
Failure to Reinvestigate : My disputes highlighting these inconsistencies were ignored, and Equifax failed to provide documentation to validate the charge-off. 
Harm Caused : Financial Harm : Lowered credit score, higher borrowing costs, and credit denials. 
Emotional Distress : Prolonged stress due to Equifaxs refusal to address clear discrepancies.

Requested Resolution : Remove the charge-off and all late payments unless validated with complete and accurate documentation.

Impose penalties for violating FCRA Section 607 ( b ) and 611 ( a ). 
B. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax Violations : Incomplete Payment History : Equifax reports a charge-off in XX/XX/XXXX but fails to show consistent payment history from XXXX XXXX. 
This missing data makes the charge-off status unverifiable. 
Discrepancy Across CRAs : XXXX : Reports missing months leading up to the charge-off. 
XXXX : Provides no payment history before the charge-off. 
Failure to Reinvestigate : My disputes about missing payment history were ignored, and Equifax failed to verify the charge-off status. 
Harm Caused : Financial Harm : Unverified charge-off reporting negatively impacted my credit score. 
Emotional Distress : The mishandling of my dispute has caused unnecessary stress and frustration. 
Requested Resolution : Remove the charge-off and associated late payments unless fully validated with complete payment history. 
Provide a full investigation into the missing months of payment data. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Equifax Violations : Omission of Account : Equifax fails to report the XXXX XXXX XXXX account, whereas XXXX reports it as a charged-off account. 
This inconsistency undermines XXXX responsibility to ensure accurate and consistent reporting under FCRA Section 607 ( b ).

Failure to Clarify Reporting Discrepancies : Despite my disputes, Equifax has provided no clarification for the omission. 
Harm Caused : Financial Harm : The inconsistent reporting across CRAs creates an unreliable credit profile, leading to confusion and potential denial of financial opportunities.

Emotional Distress : The lack of transparency has caused added frustration.

Requested Resolution : Verify the legitimacy of the account and report it consistently across all CRAs.

If the account can not be verified, confirm its removal from all reports. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Fraudulent Account ) Equifax Violations : Failure to Block Fraudulent Account in XXXX : Despite receiving a valid FTC identity theft report and police report in XXXX, Equifax allowed the XXXX XXXX account to report derogatory information for months before eventually removing it. 
Harm Caused by Delayed Removal : While the account has been removed, the delay in blocking the account caused substantial harm during the period it was reported. 
Harm Caused : Financial Harm : Reduced credit score and increased financial burdens during the period of inaccurate reporting.

Emotional Distress : Prolonged reporting of fraudulent information caused stress and reputational harm.

Requested Resolution : Acknowledge the harm caused by the delay in blocking the fraudulent account.

Apply penalties under FCRA Section 605B for failing to block the account within four business days. 
4. Harm Summary Financial Harm : Lowered credit scores, higher interest rates, credit denials, and confusion caused by inaccurate and inconsistent reporting.

Emotional Distress : Frustration and XXXX  caused by Equifaxs refusal to correct errors and handle disputes properly. 
Reputational Damage : Inaccurate and delayed reporting created a false perception of financial irresponsibility.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief