Consumer complaint received 2025-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am filing this formal complaint regarding multiple inaccurate, unverifiable, and harmful items that have been reported on my credit file. These items are in direct violation of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692, and other consumer protection laws. 
The following accounts and records are disputed : XXXX XXXX Late Payment High Balance {$530000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX This account is being inaccurately reported with late payments. I have consistently maintained communication and payments, yet the bureaus have listed wrongful late marks. Reporting false delinquencies severely damages creditworthiness and violates FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), which prohibits furnishers from reporting information they know or should know is inaccurate. Because of this error, I was denied a refinance opportunity that could have lowered my monthly payments significantly. I had to pay higher interest rates due to the false late payments, costing me XXXX  of XXXX. This wrongful reporting has directly caused financial loss and unnecessary XXXX  for me and my family. 
XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX Charge Off High Balance {$2100.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX This account is being wrongfully reported as charged off. No original signed contract or full accounting has been provided to establish the validity of this debt. Reporting unverifiable information violates FCRA 611 ( a ), which requires reinvestigation and deletion if accuracy can not be confirmed. This inaccurate charge-off damaged my credit score and caused me to lose a car financing opportunity. I was forced to accept a higher interest loan with unfavorable terms, costing me hundreds of dollars more each month. This entry is directly responsible for financial instability and unnecessary hardship in my daily life. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Late Payment High Balance {$360.00} Date Opened : 01/12/2018 The late payment reporting on this account is inaccurate and misleading. I have disputed this previously, but the credit bureaus and furnisher failed to conduct a proper reinvestigation as required by FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ). Repeated failures to correct inaccurate data demonstrate willful noncompliance under FCRA 616. Because of this single false late mark, my credit score dropped significantly, preventing me from being approved for a small business loan. This directly limited my ability to expand my business and generate income. The emotional XXXX  and financial loss caused by one false late payment has been overwhelming. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Late Payment High Balance {$25000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX This account is reported with late payments that are not accurate. Under FCRA XXXX ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) furnishers must not report information they know or should know is inaccurate. I always made efforts to remain in communication with the creditor, and any late reporting is unfair and misleading. Because of this false reporting, my credit score dropped significantly. I was denied approval for a home refinance that could have reduced my monthly mortgage by several XXXX XXXX. Instead, I have been stuck paying a much higher amount, costing me thousands of dollars over time. This error also caused embarrassment when I applied for credit and was treated as financially irresponsible, even though I had made arrangements with the lender. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX Charge Off High Balance {$24000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX This account is marked as a charge off without proper validation. Under FDCPA 809 ( b ) I have the right to request validation, but no original contract or accounting was provided. Furnishers and bureaus are prohibited from reporting unverifiable data. Because of this entry, I was denied auto financing when I needed a reliable vehicle for work. I was forced to buy an older car with high maintenance costs. This false charge off has damaged my credit reputation and caused unnecessary financial strain. It has also triggered higher insurance premiums, because insurers use credit history in their risk calculations. The impact has been ongoing and extremely XXXX  for my family. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Collection High Balance {$340.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX This collection account is reported without any proof that it belongs to me. Under FCRA 611 ( a ) the bureau must conduct a reinvestigation and delete unverifiable accounts. No validation has been provided. Even though the balance is small, the presence of this collection destroyed my chances at being approved for a rental apartment. A landlord rejected my application, forcing me to settle for a less safe and more expensive option. The humiliation of being treated as someone who does not pay debts has been emotionally painful. This account is false, and its impact has been disproportionate to the alleged balance. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Collection High Balance {$1100.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX This account is listed as a collection without proper validation. Under FDCPA 807 ( 8 ) collectors may not report false or misleading information. No proof of ownership or signed contract has ever been provided. Because of this account, I was denied a credit card that I needed for emergency use. I also had to pay a larger security deposit to open a utility account because my credit score was lowered. This has put unnecessary strain on my budget. It has also created stigma in financial situations, where lenders questioned my reliability even though this debt is not verified. 
Legal Basis and Demand FCRA 611 ( a ) grants me the right to dispute inaccurate items and requires reinvestigation.

FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) prohibits furnishers from reporting inaccurate or unverifiable information.

FCRA 604 ( a ) restricts inquiries to authorized purposes only.

FDCPA 809 requires collectors to validate debts before reporting or collecting.

I am requesting : 1. Immediate investigation into these accounts and inquiries.

2. Deletion of all unverifiable, inaccurate, and unauthorized items.

3. Written confirmation of the results of your investigation.

Failure to correct and remove these violations will result in my pursuing further legal action, including filing complaints with the FTC, my State Attorney General, and considering private legal remedies under FCRA 616-617 and FDCPA 813.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief