Consumer complaint received 2024-12-26 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
[ XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, Ga, XXXX ] [ XXXX ] Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX Subject : Formal Complaint and Demand for Resolution and Compensation To Whom It May Concern, This letter serves as a formal complaint regarding Equifaxs repeated mishandling of my credit file and disputes, as well as its failure to comply with federal and state regulations. Despite being provided with supporting documentation, Equifax has continued to report false, unverifiable, and damaging information on my credit file. These actions have caused significant financial, emotional, and reputational harm. 

Violations and Issues 1. False Address Reporting XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Despite verifiable evidence that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, SC is not part of my credit history, Equifax continues to report this address inaccurately. Both XXXX and XXXX have confirmed this address is not associated with me. My repeated disputes to remove this address were dismissed, including disputes closed in less than 24 hours without proper investigation. 
2. Misspelling of My Current Address After months of disputes, Equifax added my correct address to my credit file but heavily misspelled it. This error persists despite multiple requests for compliance and corrections. 
3. Incorrect Name Reporting Equifax has failed to update my name to its legal spelling, XXXX XXXX XXXX, despite multiple explicit requests. This demonstrates Equifaxs continued negligence in ensuring accurate reporting, a direct violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), which mandates credit reporting agencies to maintain maximum possible accuracy. 
4. Fraudulent Reporting of XXXX XXXX XXXX For months, Equifax permitted the fraudulent tradeline from World Acceptance to remain on my credit report despite my repeated disputes and provision of evidence. The initial subsidiary account was previously removed for lack of verification, yet XXXX XXXX resubmitted the account without any legal justification or proper validation. 

Equifax failed to respond to my demands for answers regarding discrepancies and mishandling of this tradeline. 
It took my complaints to regulatory agencies such as the XXXX  FTC, and CFPB to achieve minimal compliance, leading to the eventual removal of the tradeline. However, no acknowledgment or explanation was provided for the months of harm caused by Equifaxs willful negligence.

Additionally, Equifax maliciously reported this account at times as open and then closed repeatedly ; while falsely reporting missed payments during the investigation process, with missed payments ranging from XXXX to 61 months. These actions caused my credit score to drop by XXXX points multiple times due to Equifaxs negligence and failure to ensure accurate reporting. 
5. Fraudulent Collection Accounts XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax permitted fraudulent and inflated collection accounts to appear on my credit file, including : XXXX XXXX submitting a fraudulent XXXX document that Equifax accepted without verification. 
XXXX XXXX inflating the credit limit of the reported account. 

These accounts were removed only after I filed complaints with the XXXX, FTC, and CFPB. Equifaxs acceptance of unverifiable and fraudulent documentation violates 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ), which requires furnishers to conduct a reasonable investigation and ensure the accuracy of the information provided. 
6. Failure to Conduct Adequate Investigations Equifax consistently failed to conduct proper investigations into my disputes, including : Closing disputes within 24 hours without verifying the accuracy of the information in question. 
Allowing abusive and inconsistent statements on my credit file, such as opening and closing accounts while under investigation. These actions constitute willful noncompliance with 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), which requires a thorough and timely reinvestigation.

7. Negligence in Updating and Reporting Equifax failed to take reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of my credit file. This includes : Continued reporting of outdated and unverifiable negative information, contrary to 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ).

Ignoring consumer disputes and failing to update my credit file even after errors were identified.

8. Emotional and Financial Harm Equifaxs negligence has caused severe financial and emotional distress, including : Repeated credit score drops due to false reporting. 
Loss of credit opportunities, higher interest rates, and damage to my reputation. 

Legal Grounds Equifax has violated several provisions of the FCRA, FDCPA, and FTC guidelines, including : FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) : Failure to ensure the accuracy of the information reported.

FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) : Failure to conduct proper reinvestigations of disputed information.

FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) ) : Reporting outdated and unverifiable negative information.

FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ) : Allowing false and misleading representations by debt collectors.

Demands for Resolution To resolve this matter, I am requesting the following actions and compensation : 1. Immediate Corrections : Removal of the false address XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX from my credit file. 
Correction of my name to its legal spelling, XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Correction of my current address to its proper spelling.

2. Compensation for Damages : {$50000.00} in compensation for financial losses, emotional distress, and reputational damage caused by Equifaxs negligence and willful noncompliance. 
3. Confirmation of Compliance : Written confirmation that all fraudulent and inaccurate information has been removed from my file. 
A detailed explanation of the steps Equifax has taken to improve its dispute-handling process and ensure compliance with federal laws.

4. Assurance of Non-Recurrence : Assurance that Equifax will not reinsert any fraudulent or unverifiable information on my credit file without proper validation, as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ).

Next Steps If these demands are not addressed within 30 days of receipt of this letter, I will pursue legal action to seek damages and injunctive relief under the FCRA, FDCPA, and applicable state laws. Additionally, I will escalate this matter to the CFPB, FTC, and my state attorney generals office. 

I trust that Equifax will take this matter seriously and resolve it promptly. Please contact me directly at [ Your Phone Number ] or [ Your Email Address ] if you require additional information. 

Sincerely, [ XXXX A XXXX ] [ XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Ga, XXXX ] [ XXXX ] [ XXXX ]

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation