Consumer complaint received 2025-04-03 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: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Notice of FCRA Violations, Request for Method of Verification, and Immediate Deletion of Inaccurate Information Re : XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # : XXXX Report # : XXXX Date Generated : XX/XX/XXXX Dear Experian Dispute Department, This letter is a formal notice of dispute escalation and demand for immediate compliance under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). I am writing regarding the inaccurate and conflicting reporting of the above-referenced account, which has resulted in multiple violations of federal consumer protection laws. 
You have updated the status of this account from Charged Off to Closed, and reflect a {$0.00} balance. However, the payment history continues to report CO ( charge-off ) entries from XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/XXXX, despite the account being labeled closed. This is factually inconsistent and inaccurate, violating multiple provisions of the FCRA, as outlined below. 

Additionally, Experian has failed to provide me with the method of verification as required under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ). I have not received any documentation or written explanation regarding the source of verification, whether from XXXX XXXX XXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX. Given the account reflects a {$0.00} balance, it is clear no debt is owedtherefore, continual monthly CO notations are false and misleading, and this account should not legally be reported as a charge-off. 

Furthermore, Experian did not provide any notice 21 days before re-reporting the CO each month, which is another FCRA violation. By continuing to report inaccurate information and failing to verify or delete the disputed data, Experian is conducting what the CFPB has referred to as sham investigationsa pattern that has led to enforcement actions and fines. 

After months of disputing this item, Experian continues to report false, outdated, and unverifiable information in violation of multiple provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

As recently confirmed in a complaint submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), the debt was handled by XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), who responded on XX/XX/XXXX, with the following : To resolve this matter, we have terminated collection efforts. We are not reporting this account to the credit bureaus. 

If XXXX XXXX has terminated collections and is not furnishing this data, Experians reporting of this account as closed with {$10000.00} written off and multiple charge-off notations ( CO ) is not only factually inaccurate, but entirely unsupported. 
Violations Committed by Experian and/or the Furnisher : 1. FCRA 607 ( b ) Failure to Ensure Maximum Possible Accuracy Reporting the account as Closed while showing active CO entries implies a delinquent obligation that does not exist. You must report accurate and non-misleading data.

2. FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Reinvestigation You updated the status without resolving the dispute properly. There is no explanation of how the data
was verified or by whom. You can not change labels while leaving derogatory history in place.

3. FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ) Failure to Provide Method of Verification It has been over 90 days since my initial dispute. You have not provided the method of verification nor explained which data furnisher provided the information XXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
4. FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 5 ) Failure to Notify of Negative Reporting Monthly CO marks continued to be added to the report without any 21-day notice being sent prior, as required when furnishing ongoing negative information.

5. FCRA 623 ( b ) ( 1 ) Furnisher Failed to Correct Inaccurate Info XXXX XXXX XXXX formally confirmed on XX/XX/XXXX that they have terminated collection efforts and are no longer furnishing this data. Thus, Experian has no lawful basis to continue reporting this account especially with updates that were not furnished or verified.

6. FCRA 616 & 617 Willful and Negligent Noncompliance Your actions have caused harm to my credit standing. By continuing to report derogatory entries after the account is closed and ignoring your duty to verify and correct the reporting, you are liable for damages of {$1000.00} per violation, plus actual and punitive damages.

7. Pattern of Sham Investigations Per CFPB Enforcement The CFPB has previously filed action against Experian for engaging in sham investigations and dispute practices. Your lack of transparency and failure to explain the source of this updated information while reporting errors persist qualifies under this precedent. 

Under the FCRA, I am entitled to {$1000.00} per willful violation. I am requesting that you immediately provide : The exact method of verification, including what documentation was provided by the original creditor or debt buyer ( XXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX ). 
The name, contact information, and method used to update the account status. 
A copy of any correspondence from the data furnisher used to justify continuing to report this tradeline.

Immediate deletion of this inaccurate information from my credit file, or proper reclassification based on factual and verifiable data.

Violations : 1. FCRA Section 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) Failure to remove disputed information after 30 days without proper verification.

2. FCRA Section 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) Failure to provide the method of verification used to confirm the validity of this account after multiple requests.

3. FCRA Section 611 ( a ) ( 7 ) No explanation or documentation has been provided regarding the reinsertion or update of the account after disputes.

4. FCRA Section 605B Failure to block the reporting of an account alleged to be resulting from identity theft, despite my submission of an identity theft report.

5. FCRA Section 623 ( b ) ( 1 ) If information is disputed, the furnisher ( XXXX XXXX XXXX must conduct a reasonable investigation and report results. You failed to provide this.

6. Inaccurate Reporting Reporting an account as both charged off and closed with a {$0.00} balance is contradictory and misleading.

7. Continued Monthly Reporting Without Validation Showing CO every month violates FCRA guidelines if the account is closed and written off.

8. Failure to Notify Before Reporting Negative Information Under the FCRA, a notice must be sent to the consumer 21 days before reporting negative information to credit bureaus. I never received such a notice. 


My Formal Demands : Immediately delete the inaccurate tradeline associated with this account. 
Provide the full method of verification : the name of the person or department who verified the account, which entity ( XXXX or XXXX ) supplied the data, and any documents used. 
Provide a full explanation of how a closed account with a {$0.00} balance can lawfully continue to report monthly CO entries.

Provide written confirmation within 15 days of this notice.

If these demands are not met, I am prepared to : File a formal complaint with the CFPB, FTC, and my State Attorney General ; Pursue legal action under FCRA 616 & 617 for statutory damages, punitive damages, and attorneys fees.

Please consider this your final opportunity to correct these violations before I escalate.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation