Consumer complaint received 2025-01-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Old information reappears or never goes away
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Request for Immediate Removal of Charged-Off Loan Due to Legal Violations and Impact on Employment To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally request the immediate removal of a charged-off loan from XXXX XXXX that is currently reflected on my credit report. This loan was originally opened on XX/XX/XXXX, and was paid off in full, with the final balance reported as {$0.00}. The loan had a highest balance of {$12000.00}, and the account was closed as of XX/XX/XXXX. 

I believe that the continued reporting of this loan is in violation of federal consumer protection laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and is negatively impacting my ability to secure and maintain employment, which constitutes a significant hardship. This affects my immediate need for critical service due to my hidden XXXX. I am requesting the immediate removal of this loan from my within in 14 business days on my credit report due to the following reasons : XXXX. Expired Reporting Period Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), negative information, including charge-offs, must be removed from your credit report no later than 7 years from the date of the first missed payment that led to the default or charge-off. Given that the loan was opened on XX/XX/XXXX, and was reported as closed with a balance of {$0.00} by XX/XX/XXXX, the reporting period for this account should have expired, and the negative information should no longer be present on my credit report. 

The FCRA explicitly states that negative information should not remain on your credit report for longer than 7 years, which has clearly passed in this case. Therefore, I respectfully request that this loan be removed from my credit history immediately. 

XXXX. Impact on Employment and Financial Well-Being The presence of this charged-off loan is having a detrimental effect on my employment opportunities and my overall financial well-being. Many employers conduct credit checks as part of their hiring process, particularly for positions that require financial responsibility or access to sensitive information. The continued reporting of this loan is adversely affecting my ability to secure and maintain employment, causing significant harm to my livelihood. 

Under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ( EEOC ) guidelines, discrimination based on credit history is prohibited in certain situations, especially when it has an unfair impact on certain groups. The presence of this negative mark on my credit report is preventing me from advancing professionally, which violates my right to fair treatment in the employment process.

3. Possible Violations of Federal Laws In addition to the expired reporting period, I believe that this accounts continued presence on my credit report may constitute a violation of other consumer protection laws, including but not limited to : Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : The FCRA regulates how long negative information can be reported on your credit report. The seven-year reporting period has clearly passed, and any continuing negative entry related to this loan should be removed.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) : The CFPB enforces regulations related to consumer credit reporting and debt collection practices. If this loan was written off, it should not still appear as a negative item on my report, as it no longer reflects my current financial status or any outstanding obligation.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) : If this debt was sold to a third-party collection agency, they must comply with the FDCPA, which regulates how debt collectors can report and pursue debts. This law also ensures that any disputed debts are properly handled and removed if deemed inappropriate.

4. Request for Immediate Action I request that XXXX XXXX and any associated credit bureaus remove the loan from my credit report immediately and provide confirmation of this action. The loans continued presence on my record is causing harm that extends beyond financial considerations, affecting my employment prospects and, by extension, my ability to provide for myself and my family. 

I also request that you provide me with the following : A written confirmation that the loan has been removed from my credit report. 
A copy of the updated credit report reflecting the removal. 
A timeline for when this removal will take place, given the urgency of this matter. 
If this matter is not resolved promptly, I will have no choice but to file a formal complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and other relevant regulatory agencies. Additionally, I will explore legal action based on violations of the FCRA, FDCPA, and any other applicable laws. 

Please consider this my official dispute and request for removal based on the aforementioned facts. I trust you will handle this matter swiftly and in compliance with all applicable consumer protection laws. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX Key Legal Points Explained : FCRA ( Fair Credit Reporting Act ) : The law limits how long negative information can stay on your credit report ( 7 years from the first missed payment leading to charge-off ). After that period, it should be removed. 

Employment Impact : Employers may use credit reports for hiring decisions, and the FCRA has provisions about how negative information, especially related to debts, can impact employment opportunities. 

CFPB & FTC : The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission oversee consumer protections regarding financial transactions, including credit reporting and debt collection practices. 

FDCPA ( Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ) : This law ensures debt collectors adhere to specific guidelines regarding how they report debts and handle collection, ensuring consumers are not misled or subjected to unfair practices.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief