Consumer complaint received 2025-11-28 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing a new CFPB complaint because multiple derogatory accounts continue to appear on my credit reports across Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, even though I do not own these accounts, and despite the fact that I have previously disputed them, submitted documentation, and filed an FTC Identity Theft Report stating clearly that these accounts are fraudulent. A previous CFPB case involving some of the same accounts was closed prematurely before the underlying problem was corrected, and the negative tradelines remain on my credit reports, which forces me to open a new case today. Because these accounts are not mine and I can not get them removed through normal dispute channels, I am requesting the CFPBs intervention once again. 

The derogatory accounts that are falsely appearing on my credit reports involve several companies, including but not limited to : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and any other third-party collection entities or furnishers reporting charge-offs or negative items related to these accounts. Across my credit reports, I see multiple charge-offs from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and multiple collection/charge-off entries related to XXXX XXXX. There may also be associated reporting from debt collectors who purchased or attempted to collect on these accounts. None of these accounts belong to me. 

The derogatory accounts include several XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX accounts that appear as charge-offs, collections, and past-due negative items. Across Experian and Equifax, these accounts appear multiple times, sometimes duplicated or listed with inconsistent balances and different dates. Some show extensive delinquency histories, while others show similar but not identical data. Regardless of which bureau is reporting these accounts, the fact remains that I never opened ANY XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX credit card, loan, or line of credit related to the accounts being negatively reported. I never signed for these accounts, never authorized them, never used them, and had no knowledge of them until reviewing my credit reports. 

There are also negative accounts from XXXX XXXX, a retailer/finance company. XXXX is reporting a collection or charge-off that also does not belong to me. I have never purchased anything from XXXX, never opened an account with them, and never entered into any financing agreement with this company. I have never received receipts, bills, delivery paperwork, or any form of communication regarding a XXXX account. Yet a large past-due balance continues to appear on my credit report through TransUnion and potentially other bureaus if the furnisher submitted it to more than XXXX. I do not own this account, nor do I have any association with XXXX. 

In addition to these specific companies, any debt XXXXollectors who may have been assigned or sold these fraudulent accounts have also reported negative marks on my credit file. These collection entries, whether appearing under XXXX XXXX-related charge-offs or XXXX-related obligations, are also fraudulent because the underlying accounts were never mine in the first place. If a collection agency purchased or attempted to collect on these debts, they were acting on invalid or incorrect information, because I never authorized these accounts and never owed this debt. 

The problem is further compounded by the fact that some of these derogatory accounts appear multiple times, creating duplicate negative entries. For example, XXXX XXXX appears on more than XXXX bureau with different balances and dates, and some of the same accounts are listed twice with slightly different information. These inconsistencies are clear violations of FCRA 607 ( b ), which requires the maximum possible accuracy in consumer reporting. When an account that does not belong to me is duplicatedor appears differently across bureausthat alone proves inaccuracy. 

To address these problems, I followed the appropriate dispute process. I contacted each credit bureau and disputed the accounts. I also contacted the companies reporting these accounts and formally requested validation, as allowed under federal law. I did not receive a single signed contract, application, billing statement, itemized ledger, or any document that would demonstrate that I opened or authorized these accounts. None of the furnishers provided evidence of ownership, including XXXX XXXX, XXXX, or any associated collection agencies. 

The credit bureaus did not perform proper reinvestigations either. Instead of requiring the furnishers to provide original documentation, it appears the bureaus relied solely on automated e-Oscar responsessimple code-based messages that do not constitute a legitimate investigation under FCRA 611 ( a ). These automated verifications do not meet the legal requirement for a meaningful dispute review, especially when identity theft or clear error is involved. A real investigation requires reviewing documents, not clicking automated codes. 

XXXX of the earlier CFPB cases resulted in a response from XXXX of the furnishers admitting that the debt did not belong to me. They stated they identified the debt under another consumers name and that they were terminating collection efforts. They also said they would ask the credit bureaus to delete the tradeline. Despite that acknowledgment, the deletion has not occurred. The account remains on my report, still affecting me as if the debt were real. 

Because the previous case was closed as resolved, I have no direct means of continuing the process through that case. Yet the actual problemthe negative accounts falsely tied to medid not get resolved at all. That is why I am filing another case with the CFPB. Closing a case before deletion actually occurs leaves me unprotected and unable to ensure the furnisher or bureaus followed through. The bureaus have not removed the accounts, and so the issue continues, requiring the CFPB to intervene again. 

In addition to disputing with both the furnishers and the credit bureaus, I filed an FTC Identity Theft Report. This report documents that the accounts in question were opened fraudulently or mistakenly attributed to me. The FTC report is a legally recognized document that should compel the bureaus to block or delete fraudulent tradelines immediately under FCRA identity-theft procedures. Yet despite submitting this identity theft report, these accounts remain on my credit file, which is another violation of federal guidelines. 

These fraudulent accounts have caused severe damage to my credit score, financial opportunities, and peace of mind. The presence of unauthorized charge-offs, collection accounts, and delinquent payment histories has reduced my credit score, increased my risk of credit denial, resulted in higher interest rates, and harmed my ability to qualify for loans or financial services. This harm is ongoing and unfair, especially because the accounts are not mine. 

It is important for the CFPB to understand that I am not disputing any legitimate accounts I may have with any company. I am ONLY disputing the fraudulent, inaccurate, and unverified derogatory accounts being reported by XXXX XXXX, XXXX, and any related collection agencies. I do not want this dispute to cause any legitimate, active account to be closed or restricted. My goal is simply to remove accounts that were never mine in the first place. 

Every step I have taken has been in good faith. I disputed the accounts. I requested validation. I filed an FTC Identity Theft Report. I responded to previous CFPB communications. I attempted to correct the matter through the standard dispute process. But because these accounts remain despite the furnishers own admission in XXXX case, I have no choice but to file a new complaint. 

In summary, what happened is simple but extremely damaging : multiple companies are reporting derogatory accounts that are not mine. These companies include XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and any debt collectors associated with these accounts. None of these debts belong to me. The companies failed to validate the debts. The credit bureaus failed to reinvestigate them properly. XXXX furnisher even admitted the debt was not mine, yet the bureaus have not removed it. I filed an FTC identity theft report, yet the negative information remains. Because a previous CFPB case was marked closed before deletion occurred, I must file another complaint today to ensure a complete and lawful resolution.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation