Consumer complaint received 2025-03-07 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account status incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Subject : FORMAL COMPLAINT CREDIT BUREAUS & XXXX XXXX FAILING TO ACT INDEPENDENTLY & VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am filing this formal complaint against [ Experian, Equifax, TransUnion ] and their affiliated data furnishers for failing to comply with federal law regarding the collection, reporting, and verification of consumer credit data. These companies are not acting independently, as required by law, and are instead self-validating their own inaccurate reporting, causing irreparable harm to my credit, financial stability, and access to credit opportunities. 

XXXX. Failure to Conduct Independent Investigations Under 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ), the credit bureaus are required to conduct a reasonable and independent reinvestigation of disputed accounts. However, when I disputed the following accounts : I found that the data furnishers allegedly " verified '' the information as correct. Upon further investigation, I discovered that these data furnishers are actually owned or affiliated with the same credit bureau I disputed with. This eliminates any possibility of an independent investigation, making their reporting biased, self-serving, and legally invalid. 

XXXX. Willful Noncompliance & Consumer Harm Under 15 U.S. Code 1681n ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), credit bureaus and data furnishers are liable for willful noncompliance if they intentionally refuse to correct inaccurate information. Despite my repeated disputes, these companies continue to report false, outdated, and unverified data, severely harming my ability to : Obtain credit or loans Secure housing Gain employment opportunities Maintain a fair and accurate credit report This willful negligence is causing financial harm and violates my consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

XXXX. Unlawful Sharing & Retention of My Data I have frozen my reports, yet I continue to see my personal data being reported and shared without my permission. This violates 15 U.S. Code 1681b, which clearly outlines that consumer reports may only be accessed for permissible purposes. If I have not authorized my data to be reported, how is it still being used? 

Additionally, I have reason to believe that certain data furnishers are continuing to provide my information even after I requested deletion, further violating my privacy rights. 

My Demands : Conduct a full investigation into credit bureaus owning or affiliating with their own data furnishers, creating an unfair and deceptive practice. 
Enforce strict penalties against Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion for failing to conduct independent reinvestigations, violating 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ). 
Require the deletion of all inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable data from my credit report. 
Prohibit these companies from self-validating disputes and require third-party oversight for all investigations. 
If the CFPB fails to take immediate action, I will escalate this matter legally under 15 U.S. Code 1681n ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), seeking {$1000.00} per violation, punitive damages, and attorney fees.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief