Consumer complaint received 2024-12-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
Dear Equifax Dispute Department and XXXX, I am writing to formally dispute the continued reporting of the following accounts on my credit report : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX, {$10000.00} ) XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX ) Despite my previous dispute letters dated XX/XX/XXXX, and your response, I have not received sufficient validation or verification of these accounts. This lack of proper documentation violates several provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Credit Billing Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1666b ). 
However, XXXX and XXXX investigation not only failed to provide the requested documentation but also exceeded the 30-day statutory limit, further violating my rights under federal law. 
Violations of Federal Law Exceeding the 30-Day Time Limit ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ) Under the FCRA, Equifax and XXXX is required to complete its investigation within 30 days of receiving my dispute. Your delayed investigation violates this provision and undermines the reliability of the credit reporting process. 

Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Reinvestigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ) Equifaxs and XXXX investigation relied solely on the creditor 's response without providing any substantive documentation, such as original signed contracts, accounting records, or IRS 1099-C forms. This failure to conduct a proper investigation constitutes a direct violation of the FCRA. 

Reporting Unverifiable Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ) Despite XXXX removing the XXXX XXXX XXXX account as unverifiable, Equifax continues to report it. Under the FCRA, unverifiable information must be deleted from a credit report. 

Failure to Ensure Accuracy ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) Equifaxs and XXXX continued reporting of inaccurate and unverifiable accounts demonstrates noncompliance with its obligation to ensure maximum possible accuracy in credit reporting. 

Violation of the Fair Credit Billing Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1666b ) The Fair Credit Billing Act ( FCBA ) prohibits the reporting of disputed accounts without proper validation. Reporting these accounts while failing to provide the requested validation violates this law.

a. Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Reinvestigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ) : Equifax and XXXX are required to perform a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed accounts. Merely relying on the creditors information without providing supporting documentation is insufficient. 

c. Failure to Ensure Accuracy ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) : Equifax and XXXX must ensure maximum possible accuracy of the information reported. The continued reporting of unverified accounts violates this obligation. 
Fair Credit Billing Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1666b ) : Under this law, creditors and credit reporting agencies are prohibited from reporting delinquent or disputed accounts without properly validating them. Reporting these accounts while failing to provide proper validation or required documentation violates this law. 
Failure to Provide Documentation : I have repeatedly requested the following documents to validate these accounts, but Equifax and XXXX have failed to provide any of them : Authenticated Double-Entry Accounting Records : A detailed breakdown of all transactions showing how charges were debited and credited. 
Original Signed Contracts or Agreements : Proof of my obligation to pay these debts.

1099-C Form : If the debt has been forgiven, canceled, or settled for less than the full balance, this form is required under IRS regulations ( 26 U.S.C. 6050P ).

Potential Fraudulent Reporting : The continued reporting of these accounts without proper validation or documentation may also violate the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act ( O.C.G.A. 10-1-390 ), which prohibits unfair and deceptive practices in credit reporting. 
Legal Precedents Supporting My Case Miller v. Equifax Information Services, LLC, XXXX XXXX XXXX : The court held that if a credit reporting agency can not verify the accuracy of a disputed account, it is obligated to delete the item from the credit report. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  : Furnishers of information are required to conduct proper investigations and verify the accuracy of reported information. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : Credit reporting agencies are obligated to perform independent investigations to ensure accuracy. 
Demand for Immediate Action Immediate Deletion : Remove the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX accounts from my credit report immediately. 
Provide Validation Documents : If Equifax intends to continue reporting these accounts, provide the following documents within 10 days : Authenticated double-entry accounting records.

Original signed contracts or agreements.

IRS 1099-C forms ( if applicable ).

Written Confirmation : Provide written confirmation of the deletion or detailed documentation validating the accounts.

Notice of Escalation If Equifax and XXXX fails to comply with this request, I will take the following actions : File formal complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). 
Submit a complaint to my state attorney general for violations of the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act ( XXXX. XXXX ). 
Pursue legal remedies under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o for willful and negligent violations of the FCRA.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Please respond in writing to the address provided above

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation