Consumer complaint received 2025-07-22 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint under the protections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S. Code 1681 et seq. regarding a paid collection/charge-off account reported by XXXX XXXX. The account is being inaccurately, inconsistently, and incompletely reported across credit bureaus, which constitutes a violation of FCRA Sections 1681s-2 ( a ), 1681s-2 ( b ), and 1681i. 

This reporting is not only misleading but also materially affects my creditworthiness, and therefore demands immediate investigation and resolution. 

Details : The account is reported on XXXX as a charge-off, and on Equifax as open, despite being paid in full with a {$0.00} balance. These contradictory statuses can not coexist, and at least one ( if not both ) are factually inaccurate. 
There is NO payment history reported for this account whatsoever. Under 15 U.S. Code 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), furnishers must not report information if they know or have reasonable cause to believe it is inaccurate. Reporting a derogatory status without any supporting payment history constitutes an unfair and misleading practice. 
The Date of Last Activity ( DLA ) is reported differently between XXXX and Equifax, which misrepresents the age and status of the account and is a violation of the FCRA 's requirement for data consistency and accuracy. 
The account is not being reported to XXXX at all, which may indicate it has previously been deemed inaccurate or unverifiable. 
Additionally, the account lists {$0.00} for monthly payments, XXXX months reviewed, and a term count of XXXX, which are clear signs of incomplete and unreliable data further violating 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), which requires credit reporting agencies to maintain accurate and complete data in consumer files. 
FCRA Violations : Section 1681s-2 ( a ) : Prohibits the reporting of information known to be inaccurate. 
Section 1681s-2 ( b ) : Requires furnishers to conduct a proper investigation when a consumer disputes an item.

Section 1681i : Requires credit reporting agencies to investigate disputed information and remove or correct inaccurate or unverifiable items within 30 days. 
Legal and Ethical Concerns : It is also questionable whether it is legally appropriate to label an account as charged-off when the balance is paid and settled. Continuing to report a charge-off on a {$0.00} balance account may be considered misleading or punitive, especially in the absence of any payment history. 

This misrepresentation unfairly damages my creditworthiness and may result in denial of credit, housing, or employment opportunities all of which are protected under FCRA provisions ensuring fair and accurate credit reporting. 

I am also requesting that the credit reporting agencies and the CFPB require the furnisher of this account to provide immediate verification that they are legally authorized to furnish and report this debt. 

This account originated with XXXX XXXX, but is now being reported by a third-party collection agency that I have never done business with, spoken to, or entered into any agreement with. I have never signed any contract with this company, nor have I received clear proof of assignment from XXXX to this agency. 

Furnishing debt on behalf of another company without proper authorization, legal assignment, or verifiable documentation is unlawful under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ).

If the collection agency can not prove it has the legal right to report this accountincluding proof of assignment, debt ownership, and collection license in my statethen its reporting is not just inaccurate, it is unlawful. 

I am demanding a full investigation into this matter and immediate removal of the account if legal authority to furnish this data can not be verified and validated. 

I respectfully request that the CFPB : Investigate the credit reporting of this XXXX XXXX account across all CRAs. 
Require the data furnisher and credit bureaus to provide full verification, including : Accurate account status and closure documentation Full payment history Consistent Date of Last Activity Legal authority to report the debt If accurate verification can not be provided, the account must be permanently removed from all credit reports, as required by FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ). 
Provide a written explanation of the investigation findings and any corrective actions taken.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief