Consumer complaint received 2025-08-03 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
This is a new, non-frivolous consumer complaint submitted against Equifax Information Services, XXXX regarding the continued inaccurate and unverifiable reporting of a collection account from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX balance of {$1100.00} ( account ending in XXXX  XXXX ). This complaint is based on newly modified information Equifax has added to my credit file, and I am disputing this account in its entirety based on both the original and now updated data. Equifax recently responded to my prior dispute ( CFPB Complaint # XXXX ) by stating : XXXX XXXX XXXX EQUIFAX VERIFIED THAT THIS ITEM BELONGS TO YOU. THE FOLLOWING FIELDS HAVE BEEN MODIFIED : SCHEDULED PAYMENT, ACTUAL PAYMENT, CREDIT LIMIT. These newly introduced fields materially alter the tradelines appearance and imply an ongoing payment obligation, which is inaccurate and misleading. This changes the factual nature of the account and constitutes a new reportable item under the FCRA. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is not my creditor, XXXX XXXX XXXX is not my creditor, nor any alleged original creditor with any right to assign to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, or XXXX XXXX XXXX is not my creditor. 

I formally dispute this new reporting under my rights granted by the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), including but not limited to 602A ( 4 ), 607 ( b ), 609 ( a ) ( 1 ), 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ), 611 ( a ) ( 7 ), 611 ( f ), 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), and 609 ( e ). Equifax has failed to provide any legally sufficient method of verification as required under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 7 ). Simply stating the item was verified without disclosing who verified it, what documentation was used, or how the account was matched to me is a clear violation of federal law. This failure also constitutes non-compliance with FCRA 609 ( a ) ( 1 ), which grants me the right to obtain a full description of the investigation method used to verify disputed information. 

Furthermore, the tradeline remains inaccurate and incomplete in violation of FCRA 607 ( b ), which mandates maximum possible accuracy in all consumer reporting. The account lacks critical identifying data, including the name of the original creditor, the original terms, and a documented contract or application bearing my signature. There is no documented proof of consumer liability, no payment history consistent with the modified fields, and no valid chain of custody or assignment agreement from the original creditor to XXXX XXXX XXXX, as required under federal law and standard industry practice. These deficiencies render the account unverifiable and inaccurate under FCRA XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) ( A ), and it must therefore be deleted under 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ).

In addition, the recent field changes violate the Metro 2 reporting standards published by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), which Equifax is obligated to follow as a data furnisher. According to Metro 2 guidelines, a closed collection account should not reflect ongoing scheduled or actual payments, nor should it display a credit limit, as these fields are not applicable to collections and misrepresent the status and nature of the debt. These fields are used for revolving or installment accounts, and their presence here constitutes both data misclassification and a violation of creditor category code usage rules. Equifaxs failure to code and format this tradeline correctly under Metro 2 standards further demonstrates reckless disregard for data accuracy and FCRA compliance. 

Moreover, the reported balance on this account exceeds {$600.00}, which triggers IRS 1099-C reporting requirements if the debt was canceled or forgiven. I have never received a 1099-C, and Equifax has not disclosed whether such a filing occurred. This raises potential tax reporting violations and adds another layer of doubt to the legitimacy of this accounts reporting. If the debt was canceled and still reports a balance, this is misleading and creates false financial liability.

I also have reason to believe this account may be the result of identity theft or unauthorized account creation, though I am not required to submit a police report per FCRA 602A ( 4 ) and 609 ( e ). Equifax has disregarded these rights and continues to facilitate the illegal reporting of an account that lacks verification, accuracy, and lawful substantiation. 

Because Equifax has now materially changed the content of the tradeline with newly modified data fields and continues to report unverifiable, incomplete, and inaccurate information, I am requesting immediate and permanent deletion of this account from my Equifax credit report. I also demand full disclosure under 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) of the precise method of verification used, including the identity of the furnisher and any documents received.

I am further requesting that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau conduct a formal investigation into Equifax Information Services, LLC for repeated violations of the FCRA, failure to provide method of verification, willful reporting of materially inaccurate data, failure to comply with Metro 2 data standards, and disregard for consumer protections under federal law. Equifaxs conduct in this matter demonstrates a pattern of negligent or willful noncompliance with the FCRA and presents substantial harm to my creditworthiness and financial well-being. 

This is a lawful, legitimate, and fact-based dispute based on Equifaxs own updated data. It is not frivolous, not duplicative, and warrants full investigation, enforcement, and correction. I respectfully request the CFPB to take immediate action against Equifax and to ensure the unlawful reporting of this collection account is permanently removed.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief