Consumer complaint received 2025-07-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Was not notified of investigation status or results
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
Provided me with copies of each credit bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, investigation of validation for this account. I requested the proof a validation from XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, but never received it, so now I'm requesting Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to mail me the proof of their investigation to prove this account belongs to me, within 5 business days. Because I never did receive my requested documentation as requested below.

1. A copy of the original contract agreement bearing my hand signature, demonstrating my agreement to do business with XXXXXXXX XXXX  and subsequently with your entity. 

2. The forward flow agreement related to the sale and assignment of this debt.

3. The complete chain of assignment, showing a clear and unbroken transfer of ownership of this debt from XXXXXXXX XXXX to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and then to XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

4. Account-level documentation to fully validate this debt, including the original agreement, complete payment history, and any other records pertinent to the chain of custody of this alleged debt. 

Equifax Information Services LLC XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, GA XXXX Experian XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, PA XXXX Subject : Request for Documentation of Validation Methods Disputed Account XXXX with XXXX XXXX XXXX ( FCRA, XXXX CFR Part 1022, and Legal Precedent ) Dear Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, This letter serves as a formal request for specific documentation regarding the methods used by your agency to validate the accuracy and completeness of information provided by creditors, particularly concerning my disputed account with XXXX XXXX XXXX, Account Number XXXX. 

As per the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), which became effective on XX/XX/XXXX, and as further outlined in the CFPB 's restated FCRA regulations under 12 CFR Part 1022 ( 76 Fed. Reg. 79308 ), consumer reporting agencies ( CRAs ) and furnishers have a responsibility to ensure the accuracy and integrity of consumer information. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 ( FACT Act ) also created new responsibilities for CRAs and users of consumer reports, aiming to improve access to consumer report information to help increase data accuracy. I understand that each credit bureau may employ different procedures for investigating disputes. To better understand and verify the thoroughness of your investigation into this specific dispute, I am requesting copies of the documents that detail the methods and procedures you utilized to validate the information provided by XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

Specifically, I am requesting documentation that demonstrates compliance with the following FCRA requirements related to the validation of this disputed account : Documentation of the investigation process : Please provide records outlining the steps taken during your investigation of my dispute regarding the XXXX XXXX XXXX account. This should include, but not be limited to, any communication with XXXX XXXX XXXX and the specific information or documents they provided to validate the debt. As a furnisher, XXXX XXXX XXXX is required to conduct a reasonable investigation of such disputes ( FCRA Section 623 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ; 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ). Your agency is also required to review all relevant information provided by the consumer ( FCRA Section 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ) ; 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ) ). Upon request, you are required to provide a description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information, including the name, address, and telephone number of any furnisher of information contacted ( FCRA Section 611 ( a ) ( 7 ) ; 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 7 ) ). 

Proof of furnisher 's investigation and reporting : I request evidence that XXXX XXXX XXXX conducted a reasonable investigation of my dispute, and subsequently reported the results of their investigation to your agency ( FCRA Section 623 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( C ) ; 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( C ) ). This could include documentation of their internal review process or any information they provided to you demonstrating their due diligence. If the investigation found the information inaccurate, the furnisher must promptly notify all consumer reporting agencies to which they furnished the information.

Records of accuracy and completeness checks : I am seeking information on the specific methods, policies, and procedures your agency employs to ensure the accuracy and completeness of consumer information provided by furnishers like XXXX XXXX XXXX. This should include details on how you verify the validity of the reported information and identify potential inaccuracies. 

My request is further supported by concerns regarding XXXX XXXX XXXX 's validation practices, as highlighted in legal proceedings. In a " Defendant 's Motion to Dismiss with Prejudice '' ( XXXX XXXX. : XXXX, XXXX XXXX of XXXX XXXX, State of Georgia ), a defendant has asserted that XXXX XXXX XXXX, as assignee of XXXXXXXX XXXX, failed to validate an alleged debt as required under 15 U.S.C. 1692g of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). The motion specifically states that XXXX XXXX XXXX " failed to attach or produce any contract bearing the Defendant 's signature, failed to validate the debt..., and has produced no chain of title demonstrating lawful assignment of said debt. '' It also references a prior case, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( XXXX. XXXX XXXX ) ), where a similar action was dismissed due to XXXX XXXX XXXX 's failure to meet its burden of proof, lack of valid assignment, and insufficient documentation. These documented challenges to XXXX XXXX XXXX 's ability to validate debts and establish a clear chain of title underscore the critical need for robust validation methods by your agency.

I also note the FCRA 's requirements for users procuring investigative consumer reports, including clear and accurate disclosure to the consumer that such a report may be obtained, a statement of the consumers right to request other information about the report, and a summary of the consumers rights under the FCRA. Such disclosure must be in writing and delivered not later than three business days after the report was first requested, and the user must certify compliance with disclosure requirements. Furthermore, the FCRA outlines communications of information among affiliated persons, specific extensions of credit, and certain investigative reports as exceptions to the definition of a " consumer report '' under Section 603 ( d ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681a ( d ) ). My request, however, is focused on the documentation of your specific validation methods and the information received from XXXX XXXX XXXX in response to my dispute. 

Please ensure that all requested documentation, including the details of your dispute methods, is mailed to me at the address provided above. 

Please provide all relevant documentation within 5 business days of the date of this letter. If there are any fees associated with this request, please inform me in advance.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving the requested documentation.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation