Consumer complaint received 2025-08-11 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: IL

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this formal complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) because my credit report contains multiple false addresses, inaccurate account reporting, and unauthorized credit inquiries. These serious violations have caused significant damage to my credit profile, hindered my ability to obtain credit, and harmed my financial reputation. The reporting parties and credit bureaus have failed to comply with their legal obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) by failing to ensure maximum possible accuracy, by continuing to report unverified and disputed information, and by allowing unauthorized access to my credit file. I am demanding that the CFPB take immediate enforcement action to investigate, compel compliance, and ensure permanent removal of all inaccurate and unauthorized information from my credit report. 
ADDRESS XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, IL, XXXX Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) requires credit bureaus to maintain maximum possible accuracy and remove unverifiable information Issue : This address is inaccurate and does not belong to me Story : I have never lived, worked, or received mail at this address. This error could have connected my credit file to another persons accounts or public records, leading to false associations and damaging my credibility with lenders. Its presence is misleading and must be removed immediately to prevent further harm to my reputation and financial profile XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, IL, XXXX Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) Issue : Business/commercial address improperly listed as my residence Story : This is a commercial location and has never been my personal address. Its inclusion on my credit report creates the false impression that I reside at or am affiliated with a business location, which is inaccurate and misleading to creditors and potential lenders ACCOUNT XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Open Date XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$0.00} Chargeoff Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) ; FDCPA 807 ( 8 ) Issue : Charge-off is inaccurate and unverifiable Story : The account shows a XXXX balance but is still marked as a charge-off, which is contradictory and misleading to lenders reviewing my file. Without verifiable original records from the creditor, this status should not remain on my report DISCOVERCARD XXXX Open Date XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$0.00} Chargeoff Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) Issue : Reporting is inconsistent and lacks proper validation Story : There is no balance owed, yet a charge-off remains listed. This suggests that the account may have been settled or paid, but the negative status was never updated, unfairly lowering my credit rating XXXX XXXX XXXX Open Date XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$0.00} Chargeoff Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) Issue : Inaccurate status and unverifiable history Story : This account is being reported as charged-off despite a XXXX balance, which creates confusion and misrepresents my repayment history to potential creditors XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Open Date XXXX XXXX, XXXX Balance : {$0.00} Chargeoff Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) Issue : Unverified negative status Story : This account has no remaining balance, yet it still carries a charge-off notation. Without original creditor documentation, this negative listing is unjustified XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Open Date XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$0.00} Chargeoff Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) Issue : Duplicate or inaccurate reporting Story : This appears to be a duplicate entry of the same account with slightly different dates. Duplicate negative listings unfairly exaggerate derogatory activity on my report and are prohibited under accuracy requirements XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Open XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$0.00} Chargeoff Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) Issue : Duplicate reporting Story : This is a repeated report of the same account as above, which artificially inflates negative data and must be removed to ensure accuracy XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Open Date XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$2500.00} Chargeoff Law : FCRA 611, FDCPA 807 ( 8 ) Issue : Debt validation not provided Story : I have not received proper debt validation from this company, including a signed contract or original account statements. Without proof, this reporting violates my consumer rights XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Open Date XXXX XXXX, XXXX Balance : {$0.00} Chargeoff Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) Issue : Status inaccurate for XXXX balance Story : A charge-off should not exist if the account has no outstanding balance. Without documentation from the creditor, this must be deleted XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Open Date XXXX XXXX, XXXX Balance : {$0.00} Chargeoff Law : FCRA 611, 607 ( b ) Issue : Duplicate negative entry Story : This appears to be a duplicate of the same account listed above, which is misleading and violates reporting accuracy standards I am requesting that the CFPB exercise its authority to enforce the provisions of the FCRA and hold the credit reporting agencies and furnishers accountable for these ongoing violations. The reporting of inaccurate addresses, unverified charge-off accounts, and unauthorized inquiries is a direct breach of my consumer rights. These actions have caused measurable harm to my creditworthiness and personal integrity. I demand that the CFPB require immediate deletion of all disputed and unverified items, removal of unauthorized inquiries, and provide me with written confirmation of all corrections within 30 days. Failure to address these violations will leave me no choice but to pursue all available legal remedies.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief