Consumer complaint received 2025-06-05 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: WI

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX submit this formal complaint against EXPERIAN INFORMATION SOLUTIONS (hereinafter EXPERIAN) regarding their severe, persistent, and ongoing violations of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (hereinafter FCRA) for their repeated, knowful, and willful violations of the FCRA and applicable Federal and State Laws relating to Consumer Rights.\n\nEXPERIAN has repeatedly validated, verified, and reported Accounts on/in my Consumer Report File (hereinafter CRF) that are demonstrably FALSE, FRAUDULENT, UNAUTHORIZED, INACCURATE, INCORRECT, UNVERIFIABLE, and UNVALIDATED information. Furthermore, they have REFUSED TO CONDUCT ADEQUATE INVESTIGATION and REINVESTIGATIONS into these matters, which has directly and severely damaged my creditworthiness, resulting in a significantly low and decreasing credit score and multiple denials of credit.\n\nI. Background of Disputed Accounts and Initial Validation Demands:\nOn XXXX XXXX XXXX I sent legal CEASE & DESIST  and VALIDATION DEMAND LETTERS as part of a FORMAL DISPUTE and REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION via USPS Certified Mail Return Receipt to both 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 \nThese letters demanded CEASE & DESIST, VALIDATION, and VERIFICATION  said Accounts they were attempting to collect, in strict accordance with my rights under the FCRA and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (hereinafter FDCPA).  My specific request for validation invoking my rights under 15 U.S.C.  1692g(b) of the FDCPA, which MANDATES A DEBT COLLECTORS CESSATION OF COLLECTION ACTIVITIES UNTIL VALIDATION OF THE DEBT IS PROVIDED.\n\nTo date, neither 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 have provided me with any documentation or evidence that demonstrates said Accounts are valid, authorized, or lawfully reportable. Their FAILURE TO PROVIDE VALIDATION IS A DIRECT VIOLATION of the FCRA and FDCPA.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX) received via USPS Certified Mail Return Receipt full Validation and Verification letters from me requesting a copy of IRS Form 1099-C in connection with the CANCELLED DEBT ACCOUNTS being reported on my EXPERIAN CRF as CANCELLED DEBT. (PLEASE SEE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX DISPUTE LETTER & USPS TRACKING RECEIPTSXXXX XXXX  DISPUTE LETTER & USPS TRACKING RECEIPTS)\nTo date, NEITHER XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  HAVE COMPLIED WITH MY REQUESTS FOR a copy of IRS Form 1099-C in connection with the CANCELLED DEBT ACCOUNTS, which demonstrates said  ACCOUNTS are INVALID, UNAUTHORIZED, AND BEING REPORTED UNLAWFULLY. Their FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE REQUESTED VALIDATION and DOCUMENTATION in connection therewith is a direct violation of the FCRA and FDCPA. \n\n\nII. Specific Disputed Accounts and Consumer Reporting Agency Failures, Willful Omissions, and Willful Non-Compliance:\n\nOn XXXX XXXX XXXX EXPERIAN also received a FORMAL COMPLAINT and REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION into FALSE, FRAUDULENT, UNAUTHORIZED, INACCURATE, INCORRECT, UNVERIFIABLE, AND UNVALIDATED INFORMATION appearing in my CRF. (PLEASE SEE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, EXPERIAN DISPUTE LETTER & USPS TRACKING RECEIPTS XXXX)\n\nIncluded the above-said were copies of my CEASE & DESIST and VALIDATION DEMAND LETTERS to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX as part of my FORMAL DISPUTE and REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION. \n\nThis FORMAL DISPUTE and REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION specifically concerned the following FALSE, FRAUDULENT, UNAUTHORIZED, INACCURATE, INCORRECT, UNVERIFIABLE, AND UNVALIDATED INFORMATION ACCOUNTS appearing on my 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\n\nDespite the following:\nMy CLEAR and COMPREHENSIVE DISPUTE SUPPORTED BY SWORN and WRITTEN/PHYSICAL DOCUMENTATION; and\n\nTHE FAILURE OF XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to PROVIDE THE REQUESTED INFORMATION and DOCUMENTATION related to VALIDATING said ACCOUNTS question.\n\nEXPERIAN has CONSISTENTLY FAILED TO CONDUCT PROPER and ADEQUATE INVESTIGATIONS & REINVESTIGATIONS. They have REFUSED TO REMOVE SAID ACCOUNTS from my CRF and have also FAILED TO PROVIDE ME WITH A COPY OF WHAT METHOD/PROCESS(ES) WERE USED TO VALIDATE/VERIFY SAID ACCOUNTS. This LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, APPARENT RELIANCE on UNSUBSTANTIATED VERIFICATION, PARROTING the FURNISHERS RESPONSE, and RELIANCE ON UNSUBSTANTIATED VERIFICATION VIOLATES THEIR STATUTORY DUTIES.\n\nOn XXXX XXXX XXXX EXPERIAN received a copy of the CEASE & DESIST  and VALIDATION DEMAND LETTERS as part of a FORMAL DISPUTE and REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION/REINVESTIGATION against XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ((PLEASE SEE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  DISPUTE LETTER & USPS TRACKING RECEIPTS  XXXX XXXX  DISPUTE LETTER & USPS TRACKING RECEIPTS XXXX, EXPERIAN DISPUTE LETTER & USPS TRACKING RECEIPTS XXXXn\nDespite the following:\n\nMy CLEAR and COMPREHENSIVE DISPUTE SUPPORTED BY SWORN and WRITTEN/PHYSICAL DOCUMENTATION; and\n\nTHE FAILURE OF XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to PROVIDE THE REQUESTED INFORMATION and DOCUMENTATION related to VALIDATING said ACCOUNTS question.\n\nEXPERIAN has CONSISTENTLY FAILED TO CONDUCT PROPER and ADEQUATE INVESTIGATIONS & REINVESTIGATIONS. They have REFUSED TO REMOVE SAID ACCOUNTS from my CRF and have also FAILED TO PROVIDE ME WITH A COPY OF WHAT METHOD/PROCESS(ES) WERE USED TO VALIDATE/VERIFY SAID ACCOUNTS. This LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, APPARENT RELIANCE on UNSUBSTANTIATED VERIFICATION, PARROTING the FURNISHERS RESPONSE, and RELIANCE ON UNSUBSTANTIATED VERIFICATION VIOLATES THEIR STATUTORY DUTIES.\n\nOn XXXX XXXX XXXX EXPERIAN received a 2ND & FINAL NOTICE and REQUEST FOR REINVESTIGATION FOR FALSE, FRAUDULENT, UNAUTHORIZED, INACCURATE, INCORRECT, UNVERIFIABLE, AND UNVALIDATED INFORMATION ACCOUNTS appearing on my EXPERIAN CRF.  (Please See Enclosures, Copy of USPS Certified Mail Return Receipt Tracking XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX\n\nUpon my Review of my EXPERIAN Online Account, Member XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I noticed that XXXX XXXX XXXX  IS LISTED AS POTENTIALLY NEGATIVE as opposed to UNDER DISPUTE. However, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is listed as UNDER DISPUTE.\n\nThis INACCURATE & INCORRECT ACCOUNT was FORMALLY DISPUTED VIA WRITTEN LEGAL CORRESPONDENCE TO EXPERIAN REC. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX WHICH INCLUDED OTHERS DISPUTE INFORMATION FOR other INACCURATE & INCORRECT ACCOUNTS in my communication to EXPERIAN: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXUNDER DISPUTE. The inconsistent handling of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXs both grossly negligent and unlawful.\n\nFurthermore, the following Accounts continue to be reported on my CRF, appearing FALSELY, FRAUDULENTLY, UNAUTHORIZED, INACCURATELY, and INCORRECTLY, despite clear indications of their INACCURACY, INCORRECTNESS, INVALIDITY and/or CANCELLATION OF DEBT:\n\nXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This account continues to be reported as active debt despite being canceled. The creditor/lender for over one (1) year has failed to send me a copy of IRS FORM 1099-C, which would signify debt cancellation; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX These Accounts continue to be reported as charged-off with outstanding debt balances despite the debt being canceled. The creditor/lender for over one (1) year has failed to send me a copy of IRS FORM 1099-C, which would signify debt cancellation; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This account has continued to be reported for over one (1) year despite their failure to provide the written and requested validation; and\nXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This account has continued to be reported for over one (1) year despite their failure to provide the written and requested validation.\n\nIII. Violations of Federal Law:\n\nBy continuing to furnish and report this FALSE, FRAUDULENT, UNAUTHORIZED, INACCURATE, INCORRECT, UNVERIFIABLE, and UNVALIDATED information in my CRF, EXPERIAN IS IN CLEAR VIOLATION OF:\n\n15 U.S.C.  1681i(a)  Failure to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and delete unverifiable information: The credit bureaus' continued reporting of these Accounts, despite the lack of validation from the alleged furnishers and the absence of IRS Form 1099-C for canceled debts, demonstrates a failure to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and to delete information that is clearly unverifiable or inaccurate. The mere re-reporting of information without substantive validation is not a reasonable reinvestigation.\n15 U.S.C.  1681e(b)  Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy in consumer reports: By maintaining and re-verifying demonstrably false, fraudulent, and unvalidated information, the credit bureaus have failed to follow reasonable procedures to assure the maximum possible accuracy of the information they report about me.\n15 U.S.C.  1681s-2(b)  Duty of furnishers and CRAs to investigate and correct disputed information: Both the furnishers (XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX) and the CRAs have duties under this section when a consumer disputes information. The furnishers have failed to validate/provide 1099-C, and the CRAs have failed to adequately investigate these disputes and ensure correction or deletion.\n\nFurthermore, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXre in violation of 15 U.S.C.  1692g(b) (FDCPA) for their FAILURE TO VALIDATE ALLEGED DEBT and COMPLY WITH MY EXPLICIT REQUEST FOR DOCUMENTATION IN RELATION THERETO.\n\nIV. Supporting Legal Precedents:\n\nMy claims are supported by established legal precedents that affirm the duties of EXPERIAN, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX  as furnishers under the FCRA and FDCPA:\n\nXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Held that CRAs must do more than rely on the furnishers wordthey must conduct an independent, reasonable investigation.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX) Holding: CRAs cannot simply rely on data provided by furnishers. They must conduct an independent and reasonable reinvestigation. Relevance to Fraud: Failure to investigate, after knowing information is likely false, may rise to willful noncompliancea gateway to punitive damages under  1681n.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  CRAs must conduct a reasonable investigation and cannot solely rely on the furnisher.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CRAs must do more than parrot the furnishers responsethey must conduct an independent investigation.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX: A furnisher's failure to investigate and correct inaccurate information upon notice from a CRA violates  1681s-2(b).\XXXX XXXX  Experian XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Established that even technically accurate credit entries can violate  1681e(b) if they are misleading or lack necessary context.\nXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX: Found that reporting a debt after issuance of a 1099-C could mislead and violate  1681e(b) and  1681i(a).\XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Holding: Continued reporting of a debt after issuance of a 1099-C (which signals cancellation) may be misleading and violate  1681e(b) and 1681i. Relevance to Fraud: Willfully misleading creditors or consumers after debt cancellation is considered deceptive.XXXX XXXX Experian Info. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Holding: The court denied Experians motion to dismiss, where it reported a cancelled debt despite the consumers dispute and IRS 1099-C filing. Relevance to Fraud: Knowingly reporting discharged or cancelled debts after notice can be seen as deliberate misconduct.\XXXX XXXX Experian Info. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Refused to dismiss a complaint where a CRA reported a disputed cancelled debt, suggesting possible FCRA violations.XXXX XXXX Experian Info. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX) Holding: Experian failed to remove a discharged debt after multiple disputes, and the court allowed punitive damages to proceed under  1681n. Relevance to Fraud: Failure to act after repeated notice shows disregard for the truth, satisfying standards for willful violation.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Holding: XXXX  violated the FCRA by failing to ensure accuracy and prevent flagging of a consumer as a terrorist due to OFAC list misreporting. Relevance to Fraud: Willfully reporting blatantly false and damaging information is reckless, deceptive, and punishable.XXXX XXXX  Experian Info. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Denied dismissal where Experian continued reporting a disputed, cancelled debt.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX: Held that a 1099-C issuance may signal cancellation of a debt and continued reporting could be misleading under the FCRA.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX: Recognized that issuance of a 1099-C often reflects a creditors decision to cancel or discharge a debtXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX: Emphasized the importance of the validation process.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX: Debt collector violated FDCPA by failing to properly verify the debt.\XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Holding: CRAs may be liable for knowingly including false information when they fail to verify consumer disputes or correct errors. Relevance to Fraud: Willful refusal to remove inaccurate data after notice can be considered willful misconductpotentially qualifying for punitive damages.\XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXailure to provide consumers with meaningful information about a dispute investigation violated the FCRA.\n\nV. Damages Suffered:\n\nThe presence of these numerous  FALSE, FRAUDULENT, UNAUTHORIZED, INACCURATE, INCORRECT, UNVERIFIABLE, AND UNVALIDATED INFORMATION Accounts on my CFR, coupled with the CRA's and furnishers' repeated failures to comply with their FCRA and FDCPA obligations, has directly and significantly harmed me. My credit score has been negatively impacted, remaining low and experiencing further decreases. This has led to my being denied credit on multiple occasions, causing substantial financial detriment, lost employment opportunities, and considerable emotional distress, humiliation, and frustration."

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