Consumer complaint received 2026-03-18 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: False statements or representation — Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Sent to Portfolio Recovery VIA CERTIFIED MAIL XX/XX/year> XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Re : Dispute of Alleged Debt and Formal Demand for Arbitration Alleged Creditor : XXXX Bank Debt Collector/Debt buyer : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account last 4 # XXXX TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN : This letter serves as formal notice of dispute regarding the alleged debt referenced above and a demand for arbitration pursuant to the binding arbitration clause in the original credit agreement governing this account. Any further collection activity, including litigation attempts, must be conducted exclusively through arbitration. Any attempt to collect or litigate this alleged debt outside of arbitration violates federal law. I CHALLENGE TO THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF ACCOUNT vs. DEBT Under federal and state law, there is a distinct legal difference between an account and a debt : An account refers to a financial arrangement maintained by an institution, such as a credit line issued by XXXX Bank and governed by a contractual agreement. A debt, in contrast, represents an alleged obligation to pay a balance due. You have referenced an account in your communications and attached documents, but you are attempting to collect on a debt. However, you have not provided evidence that a legally enforceable debt exists. Specifically : 1. Where is the contract that establishes my personal liability for this alleged debt? 2. Where is the complete and unbroken chain of assignment proving legal ownership of the debt? 3. If the original creditor securitized or sold the account as part of an asset-backed security, does your entity have standing to collect? I demand that you provide complete and accurate documentation proving : That XXXX Bank still owns this alleged debt and has not sold, securitized, or otherwise transferred it. That your entity has a valid assignment and legal standing to pursue collection. That the amount claimed is accurate and does not include unlawfully inflated fees, interest, or charges. Failure to provide sufficient evidence will result in this alleged obligation being considered invalid and unenforceable under applicable consumer protection laws. FORMAL DEMAND FOR ARBITRATION ALL COLLECTION ATTEMPTS MUST BE THROUGH ARBITRATION Pursuant to the binding arbitration provision in the original credit agreement, all disputes related to this account must be resolved through arbitration administered by the [ ARBITRATION FORUM ] or another designated forum. The agreement explicitly states : You or we may arbitrate any claim, dispute, or controversy between us arising out of or related to this account. Additionally, the arbitration agreement states : Arbitration may be requested at any time, even when there is a pending lawsuit. Once arbitration is elected, the claim must be resolved through arbitration and can not proceed in a court of law. By demanding arbitration, I am asserting my contractual right to remove this dispute from the court system entirely. Moving forward, all collection effortsincluding but not limited to communications, settlement offers, and payment Requestsmust be handled through arbitration. Accordingly, you must : 1. Confirm in writing that you acknowledge this arbitration demand and that all collection and litigation efforts outside arbitration will cease. 2. Provide the necessary claim forms or follow the required steps to initiate arbitration as per the agreements terms. 3. Forward this arbitration demand to any entity to whom you assign, transfer, or sell this alleged debt, ensuring that they are aware arbitration has been demanded. Failure to comply will result in immediate legal action, including complaints to regulatory agencies and potential sanctions against any law firm that ignores this arbitration election.III. IDENTIFICATION OF FDCPA VIOLATIONS & DEMAND FOR STATUTORY DAMAGES Upon reviewing a letter received, multiple violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) have been Identified : 1. False and misleading representations ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 10 ) ) 2. Failure to provide the XXXX warning ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 11 ) ) 3. Unfair or unconscionable means to collect a debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692f ) 4. Failure to properly validate the debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ) 5. Misrepresentation of ownership and standing ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 2 ) ) Given these violations, I formally demand {$5000.00} in statutory damages. Failure to comply voluntarily may result in a federal lawsuit under the FDCPA, where I will also seek additional damages, attorneys fees, and costs. IV. WARNING AGAINST ESCALATING TO A LAW FIRM If this account is forwarded to a law firm, I will : File for immediate sanctions against any attorney attempting litigation in violation of the arbitration agreement. File complaints with the State Bar of Texas for knowingly ignoring a binding arbitration agreement. Submit regulatory complaints with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) for violations of federal consumer protection laws.V. NOTICE REGARDING ASSIGNMENT OR SALE OF DEBT If this alleged account is sold, transferred, or assigned, this arbitration demand must be forwarded to any subsequent debt collector, assignee, or third party to ensure compliance with the binding arbitration agreement. Failure to do so may expose all involved parties to legal liability. VI. DEMAND FOR RESPONSE 1. All further collection activity must be done exclusively through arbitration. 2. You are formally notified of the FDCPA violations, and I demand {$5000.00} in statutory damages. 3. Any attempt to forward this matter to a law firm or initiate litigation will result in aggressive legal action, regulatory complaints, and sanctions against all involved parties. 4. If this account is sold, transferred, or assigned, you must forward this arbitration demand and FDCPA claims to any new assignee. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Texas XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief