Consumer complaint received 2025-06-22 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
Date : XX/XX/XXXX Subject : Dispute of Inaccurate Credit Report Information Account # XXXXDemand for Investigation, Correction, and Permanent Deletion Under FCRA, FDCPA, and Metro 2 ComplianceNotice : Without Prejudice UCC 1-308 Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to formally dispute the inaccurate, misleading, and unverifiable information reported on my credit file regarding the above-referenced account with XXXX XXXX XXXX dba XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX ). This letter serves as a formal dispute under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq., and Metro 2 compliance standards. I demand a thorough investigation, correction, and permanent deletion of this account from my credit report due to multiple violations, including dual reporting, inaccurate status codes, and failure to comply with federal regulations. Additionally, I am seeking compensation for damages caused by these inaccuracies, as permitted under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o. 
Summary of Inaccuracies and Violations The following inaccuracies and violations have been identified in the reporting of Account # XXXX : 1. Dual Reporting by Sister Company ( Violation of FCRA 1681e ( b ) and Metro 2 ) The account is being reported by both XXXX XXXX XXXX and its sister company ( or related entity ), which creates a misleading and duplicative entry on my credit report. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ), credit reporting agencies ( CRAs ) are required to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure the accuracy of reported information. Dual reporting of the same debt by related entities violates Metro 2 guidelines, which mandate that furnishers accurately report their role ( e.g., original creditor or debt collector ) and ownership status. This duplicative reporting misrepresents the debts status and balance, potentially inflating my credit obligations and harming my creditworthiness. 
* Case Law : XXXX  v. FDIC, 625 F.3d 808 ( 4th Cir. 2010 ) The court held that inaccurate reporting of debts, including duplicative entries, violates the FCRAs accuracy requirements. 
2. Inaccurate Date of First Delinquency ( DOFD ) ( Violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681c ) The Date of First Delinquency ( DOFD ) reported for this account is either missing or incorrect, as the account status shows 180 days past due with a last reported date of XX/XX/XXXX. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681c, CRAs and furnishers must accurately report the DOFD to ensure proper obsolescence of negative information ( 7 years from the DOFD ). The reported removal date of XXXX/XXXX is inconsistent with the accounts reported status and suggests an inaccurate DOFD, extending the negative reporting period beyond the statutory limit. 
* Case Law : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Cir. XXXX ) Inaccurate DOFD reporting violates FCRAs requirement for accurate obsolescence periods. 
XXXX. Inaccurate Account Status and Balance ( Violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) ) The account is reported as 180 days past due with a balance of {$210000.00} and a past due amount of {$39000.00}. This status is misleading because it fails to reflect whether the debt has been sold, transferred, or is under a sister companys control. Under Metro 2 guidelines, furnishers must report accurate account statuses ( e.g., charged off, transferred, or paid ). If XXXX no longer owns the debt, reporting a current balance is a violation of FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ), which requires furnishers to correct or delete unverifiable information after a dispute. 
* Case Law : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) Furnishers must conduct a reasonable investigation and delete unverifiable information. 
4. Misleading Electronic Communication ( Potential Wire Fraud, 18 U.S.C. 1343 ) The furnishers submission of inaccurate or misleading data through the e-OSCAR system constitutes an electronic transmission of false information, which may violate 18 U.S.C. 1343 ( wire fraud ). By knowingly reporting duplicative or inaccurate data, the furnisher has engaged in deceptive practices that harm my credit profile and financial opportunities. 
* Case Law : United States v. XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) Electronic transmission of false information with intent to deceive constitutes wire fraud. 
5. Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Investigation ( Violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) and 1681s-2 ( b ) ) Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ), CRAs must conduct a reasonable investigation of disputed information and delete or correct unverifiable data within 30 days. Similarly, under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ), furnishers must review all relevant dispute information, investigate, and correct or delete inaccurate data. The continued presence of this account on my credit report suggests a failure to comply with these obligations. 
* XXXX XXXX : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) Furnishers are liable for failing to conduct reasonable investigations of consumer disputes. 
6. Violation of FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ) If XXXX  or its sister company is acting as a debt collector, the reporting of inaccurate or misleading information violates 15 U.S.C. 1692e, which prohibits false or deceptive representations in connection with debt collection. Dual reporting creates a false impression of the debts status, misleading potential creditors and violating FDCPA standards. 
7. Impact on Credit Score and Financial OpportunitiesThe inaccuracies described above have negatively impacted my credit score, limiting my access to credit, housing, and employment opportunities. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o, I am entitled to actual and statutory damages for willful or negligent violations of the FCRA, including emotional distress, financial harm, and costs associated with correcting these errors. 
* XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) Willful violations of the FCRA trigger statutory and punitive damages. 
Requested Actions Pursuant to the FCRA, FDCPA, and Metro 2 standards, I demand the following : 1. Immediate Investigation : Conduct a thorough investigation of Account # XXXX under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) and 1681s-2 ( b ), including verification of the accounts ownership, DOFD, status, and balance. 
2. Permanent Deletion : Delete the account from my credit report due to its unverifiable and duplicative nature, as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ). 
3. Cease Dual Reporting : Ensure that XXXX and any related entities cease dual reporting of this account, in compliance with Metro 2 and FCRA 1681e ( b ). 
4. Provide Documentation : Furnish proof of verification, including all documents reviewed during the investigation, as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 4 ). 
5. Compensation for Damages : Provide monetary compensation for actual damages ( e.g., emotional distress, financial harm, and time spent disputing ) and statutory damages up to {$1000.00} per violation under 15 U.S.C. 1681n, as well as attorneys fees and costs if applicable. 
6. Correct Metro 2 Coding : Update all Metro 2 data fields ( e.g., account status, DOFD, ownership ) to reflect accurate information, as required by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) guidelines. 

Notice of Intent Failure to comply with this dispute within 30 days, as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ), will result in further action, including but not limited to : * Filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ). 
* Pursuing legal action for damages un

der 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o. * Reporting potential wire fraud to the
appropriate authorities under 18 U.S.C. 1343. 
Reservation of Rights I reserve all rights under the Uniform Commercial Code, UCC 1-308, and assert that this dispute is made without prejudice to my legal rights. I expect a written response within 30 days, including confirmation of the investigations outcome and any corrective actions taken. 
Sincerely,

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief