Consumer complaint received 2024-09-18 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:
XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Dear Equifax and XXXX, I am writing to formally dispute the continued inaccurate reporting of my XXXX XXXX account XXXX on my credit reports with Equifax and XXXX XXXX The information being reported is inconsistent, inaccurate, and harmful to my credit profile. Additionally, neither bureau has provided proper documentation verifying or validating this debt, which is a violation of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). 

Inaccuracies in My Credit Report : XXXX : There is no data reported from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX, and then the account is suddenly reported as a collection from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX. This is a clear inaccuracy, as there is no account activity reflected for almost three years, followed by an abrupt collection. 

Equifax : The account shows a balance of {$1000.00} from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX, followed by no data from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX. Then, the account shows a balance from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX, with no data for XX/XX/XXXX. This inconsistent reporting is inaccurate and misleading. 

The balance being reported as {$1000.00} with a past-due amount of {$1000.00} is incorrect, as the balance should be {$0.00} since the debt has been written off. 

Violations of the FCRA and FDCPA:15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Credit reporting agencies must maintain reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy of the information reported. The discrepancies in both XXXX and Equifaxs reporting of this account violate this provision. Missing data and sudden collection reporting reflect a failure to ensure accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1681i : Despite my requests for validation and verification, neither Equifax nor XXXX has provided documentation verifying this debt. This failure to provide verification is a violation of my rights under the FCRA, as I am entitled to accurate information and proper validation of disputed items. 

15 U.S.C. 1681b ( Section 604 ( e ) ) : This section governs the permissible purposes for accessing and using consumer reports. If my consumer report has been accessed or used without my authorization or for an improper purpose, this constitutes a violation of the FCRA. I request verification that my credit report has only been accessed for legitimate purposes under the law. 

Improper Extension of the Statute of Limitations : By inaccurately reporting the balance as {$1000.00} from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX and showing the account as past due, Equifax is improperly extending the statute of limitations on this debt. XXXX sudden collection reporting from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX further extends the statute of limitations unlawfully, violating my consumer rights. 

15 U.S.C. 1692k ( FDCPA - Civil Liability ) : I reserve the right to seek civil liability under this section of the FDCPA for violations regarding the improper handling, validation, and reporting of this debt. 

This includes the recovery of actual and statutory damages, attorneys fees, and costs associated with violations of my consumer rights under the FDCPA. 

Request for Immediate Removal : Due to the inaccurate reporting, failure to provide proper documentation, and the improper extension of the statute of limitations, I am requesting that Equifax and XXXX immediately remove the XXXX XXXX account from my credit report. 

Requested Action : Remove the XXXX XXXX account from my credit report. 

Correct the balance to {$0.00}, the debt should have been written off and there should be no past due amount of {$1000.00}. 

Provide verification that my credit report has only been accessed for permissible purposes under 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( Section 604 ( e ) ).

Provide written confirmation that the account has been deleted and that no further communication will occur regarding this debt.

Timeline for Resolution : In accordance with the FCRA, I expect that both Equifax and XXXX will complete their investigations and remove the inaccurate information from my credit report within 15 days. Failure to comply will result in formal complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). Additionally, I reserve the right to pursue legal action under 15 U.S.C. 1692k, which provides for statutory damages and the recovery of attorneys fees and costs due to these violations. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving written confirmation that this inaccurate information has been removed and that my rights under the FCRA have been upheld. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief