Consumer complaint received 2025-08-08 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: CT

Complaint narrative:
Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am writing to file a formal complaint against various furnishers and credit reporting agencies for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and my rights as a consumer. I have attempted to resolve these issues directly, but the inaccuracies continue to appear on my credit reports, severely damaging my credit profile, financial opportunities, and personal well-being. 
Address Issues XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CT XXXX Issue : Wrong Address Law : FCRA XXXX XXXX, XXXX identity theft protections, inaccurate assignment Story : Never resided here ; XXXX XXXX has caused my mail to be misdirected and contributed to failed identity verification attempts, risking privacy and compliance violations. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX Issue : Wrong Address Law : FCRA mandates only accurate and verifiable information Story : Unauthorized addition of this address is interfering with my credit applications, with creditors demanding unnecessary clarifications and exposing me to possible fraud. 

Account Issues XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Late Payment, High Balance Reported Law : FCRA mandates accuracy and timely correction of credit file errors Story : I dispute the listed late payment as my records show timely payments. The {$15.00} high balance is also inconsistent with my statements. This misreporting is harming my ability to secure affordable credit and violates my rights. 

XXXX XXXX Issue : Charge Off, Credit Damage Law : FCRA & 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) data furnishers must investigate disputes XXXX : The account was marked charged off despite attempts to negotiate payment. No written notification of charge-off consequence reached me, irreparably damaging my score. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Charge Off Law : FCRA XXXX accuracy requirement ; XXXX XXXX reporting Story : I dispute the charge off as the balance and status reported do not match my payment arrangement records. My ability to secure housing/loans has been adversely affected. 

XXXX XXXX Issue : Late Payment Law : FCRA section 611 investigation rights Story : Late payment flagged despite auto-pay confirmation from my bank. This unwarranted negative mark is significantly impacting my credit evaluation. 

XXXX XXXX CO XXXX XXXX : Charge Off Law : FCRA mandates genuine documentation and notification Story : I have never received charge-off notification or final bill summary. This unverified charge-off has jeopardized my employment background checks reliant on creditworthiness. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Charge Off Law : CFPB XXXX XXXX requires correct collection reporting Story : Collection process was incomplete, and dispute was left unresolved, which wrongfully resulted in a charge-off entry, causing ongoing distress. 

XXXX XXXX Issue : Late Payment Law : FCRA ; Higher Education Act ( if student loan ) accurate record-keeping Story : My forbearance request was not reflected properly, causing a false late payment flag. This impacts my future education financing prospects. 

XXXX XXXX Issue : Late Payment Law : FCRA dispute rights Story : Disputed with documentation, but no correction made ; this false notation limits my credit options at a critical time of need. 

XXXX XXXX Issue : Late Payment Law : FCRAright to timely corrections Story : Payment posted before due date ; this error has triggered rate hikes and loan denials. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Charge Off Law : FCRA ; Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) for collection abuses Story : Procedural error in notification led to wrongful charge-off report during pending dispute. This has amplified my financial hardship unjustly. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Collection, Duplicate Reporting Law : FCRA prohibits duplicate, unverified listings Story : Same account appears twice as collections causing inflated debt appearance and double harm on my credit. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Collection Law : FDCPA requires validation notice Story : Account not validated after dispute ; unfair negative reporting is affecting my access to basic utilities and housing. 

XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Issue : Collection Law : FCRA & FDCPA, timely dispute resolution Story : Reported as collection despite active dispute. Family hardship resulted from denial of credit due to this alleged balance. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue : Collection, Balance Discrepancy Law : FCRA mandates proper documentation and dispute investigation Story : Balance is not correct per my payment history ; this unchecked error is punishing my credit profile. 

XXXX XXXX Issue : Collection Law : FCRA & XXXX XXXX required Story : Small balance reported as collection without opportunity to cure or explanation. This disproportionately impacts my overall credit. 

Inquiry Issues XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year> Issue : Unauthorized Inquiry Law : FCRA XXXX5 U.S.C. 1681b ( c ) only allows permissible purpose inquiries Story : I did not authorize this inquiry; repeated unauthorized pulls can lower my score and should be immediately removed. 

XXXX XX/XX/year> Issue : Unrecognized Inquiry Law : FCRA permissible purpose requirement Story : This inquiry was not initiated or permitted by me ; such hard inquiries affect my score and opportunity unjustly. 

XXXX XX/XX/year> Issue : Unauthorized Hard Inquiry Law : FCRA Section 604 Story : No explicit authorization for credit pull ; sequence of similar unauthorized inquires points to systematic error or misuse. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year> Issue : Inquiry Without Consent Law : FCRA Section 604, notification required Story : Never applied for credit with this institution ; this inquiry is a breach of authorized access and must be deleted. 

RELIEF REQUESTED : XXXX. Immediate investigation and removal of inaccurate addresses XXXX. Full deletion of inaccurate, duplicated, and unverifiable negative accounts XXXX. Permanent removal of unauthorized inquiries from my credit reports XXXX. Written confirmation of all corrective actions taken I respectfully urge the CFPB to hold the involved furnishers and credit bureaus accountable for these repeated violations and ensure that my consumer rights under the law are restored. 
Thank you for your assistance.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief