Consumer complaint received 2025-09-29 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Formal Non-Compliance Dispute Failure to Reinvestigate Within 30 Days / Failure to Provide Method of Verification ( M.O.V. ) From : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX SSN ( Last XXXX ) : XXXX Email : XXXX Phone : XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX To : TransUnion LLC XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Experian XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax Information Services LLC XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Account in Dispute : XXXX XXXX | Acct # XXXX -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - I. Nature of Dispute Statutory Non-Compliance and Required Deletion -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - This is a formal non-compliance dispute against TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. On XX/XX/XXXX, I submitted a detailed dispute via XXXX challenging inaccurate, inconsistent, and incomplete reporting of the above-referenced XXXX XXXX account and requesting deletion unless verified in full compliance with the FCRA. Each CRA was required to complete a reasonable reinvestigation within 30 days of receipt. None complied. Because the statutory windows have expired, you may not update, cure, or verify late. The only lawful remedy is prompt deletion. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - XXXX. Chronology and Evidence ( All Dates Documented ) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - XX/XX/XXXX Dispute filed via XXXX and mailed to all three CRAs. 
Receipt Confirmed : XXXX XXXX Equifax ( XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX TransUnion ( XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Experian ( XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
Statutory XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX TransUnion ( XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Experian ( XX/XX/XXXX ) XXXX XXXX 
As of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX from TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax. 

Conclusion : All three CRAs are in * * violation of FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) * * for failure to complete a reinvestigation and report results within 30 days. Under * * 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) * *, the disputed information must be * * deleted * *. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - III. The 30-Day Completion Rule and Consequence of Expiration ( Deletion Required ) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) * * When the * * accuracy or completeness * * of any item is disputed, a CRA * * shall complete * * a * * reasonable reinvestigation * * * * within 30 days * * of receiving notice and provide the results to the consumer.

* * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) * * If information * * can not be verified * *, it * * must be deleted * * from the consumers file. 

Once the XXXX period expires without lawful completion of a reasonable reinvestigation, CRAs can not retroactively cure by issuing late verifications. The proper remedy is * * deletion * *.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - IV. Method of Verification ( M.O.V. ) If You Now Claim Verification -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - If any CRA now claims the XXXX XXXX account is verified notwithstanding the expired 30-day window, I hereby demand full * * Method of Verification * * pursuant to : * * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ) * * Provide the * * business name, address, and telephone number * * of any furnisher contacted, and a * * description of the procedure * * used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information.

* * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 7 ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 7 ) * * Provide a * * description of the reinvestigation procedure * * used in this matter.

Deliver the M.O.V. * * within 15 days * * of any post-dated verification, including ( a ) the identity and contact of the furnisher, ( b ) the * * specific documents or data * * relied upon ( original agreement, account-level statements, payment history, assignment/transfer records ), and ( c ) how those records were obtained and authenticated. Failure to provide a complete M.O.V. will constitute an additional FCRA violation. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - V. CFPB-Filed Disputes Carry the Same Legal Force as Direct Disputes -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * FCRA 611, 15 U.S.C. 1681i * * The reinvestigation obligations apply regardless of submission channel ; disputes filed via * * CFPB.gov * * trigger the * * same * * 30-day duties as direct disputes.

* * FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 8 ), 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 8 ) * * Furnishers must maintain reasonable direct-dispute procedures ; routing and oversight through the CFPB does not excuse CRAs or furnishers from full statutory compliance. 

Therefore, my CFPB-submitted dispute must be treated with the * * same legal force * * and timelines as a direct dispute. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - VI. Additional Statutory Duties and Accuracy Standards -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * FCRA 607 ( b ), 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) * * CRAs must follow reasonable procedures to assure * * maximum possible accuracy * *.

* * FCRA 623 ( b ), 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) * * Upon CRA notice, furnishers must conduct a * * reasonable investigation * * and correct or delete inaccurate or unverifiable data.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - VII. Case Law Requiring Meaningful, Timely Investigation and Deletion -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - * * XXXX XXXX Trans Union, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  CRAs must conduct a * * meaningful * * investigation ; parroting the furnisher is insufficient. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Verification requires * * actual evidence * * supporting accuracy. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Misleading or contradictory reporting is inaccurate under the FCRA. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Late * * or * * inadequate * * reinvestigations violate the FCRA ; deletion is required. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Furnishers must conduct reasonable investigations upon notice from a CRA. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - VIII. Demand and Required Actions ( By Bureau ) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - XXXX XXXX  TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account and provide written confirmation and an updated report. 

* * Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  You can not fix this late. * * Immediately delete * * the XXXX XXXX account and provide written confirmation and an updated report. 

* * Experian XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX You can not fix this late. * * Immediately delete * * the XXXX XXXX account and provide written confirmation and an updated report. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - IX. Deadlines, Evidence Preservation, and Prohibited Cure -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - You are past the * * 30-day reinvestigation window * *. It is * * too late * * to update, verify, or cure. The correct remedy is * * deletion * * under * * 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) * *. 
* * Preservation Notice : * * Preserve all records relating to these disputes and your reinvestigations, including XXXX/E-OSCAR records, CFPB submissions XXXX internal notes/policies, furnishers correspondence, and call recordings. Spoliation will be addressed. 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - X. Consequences for Continued Noncompliance -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Absent immediate deletion and proper written confirmation, I will : File/augment complaints with the * * CFPB * * and * * FTC * XXXX ; File a complaint with the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and Pursue civil remedies for willful or negligent noncompliance under * * 15 U.S.C. 1681n & 1681o * * ( statutory, actual, and punitive damages, attorneys fees, and injunctive relief ). 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - XI. Requested Resolution ( All Bureaus ) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - XXXX ) * * Immediate deletion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax * * for failure to comply with the FCRAs reinvestigation timelines ; 2 ) * * Written confirmation * * of deletion ; 3 ) * * Updated consumer reports * * reflecting the removal ; and 4 ) A statement acknowledging that the item will * * not be reinserted * * absent full compliance with * * FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) * * ( certification of accuracy to the CRA and consumer notice within XXXX business days ). 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Sincerely, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation