Consumer complaint received 2025-01-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Was not notified of investigation status or results
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX for numerous violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), specifically regarding their failure to comply with 15 U.S.C. 1681a ( 2 ) ( A ) ( i ) and 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 regarding the accuracy of information reported to consumer reporting agencies.

Background As a consumer impacted by the actions of these credit reporting agencies, I have painstakingly attempted to correct inaccuracies in my credit report and have witnessed firsthand the failure of these agencies to adhere to statutory obligations under the FCRA.

Violations 1. Definition of Consumer Report ( 15 U.S.C. 1681a ( 2 ) ( A ) ( i ) ) : It is my understanding that according to this regulation, a consumer report does not include information solely related to transactions and experiences between the consumer and the entity making the report. However, I have found that inaccuracies concerning my transactional history have been reported by these agencies, despite these inaccuracies not being exempt reports. This misclassification directly violates the clear stipulation outlined in the FCRA.

2. Responsibilities of Furnishers of Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ) : According to subsection ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), furnishers of information have a duty to provide accurate information. I have documented occasions where both XXXX and Equifax have reported false information while having actual knowledge of errors. These inaccuracies have negatively impacted my credit score and my ability to obtain credit. Such actions are not only illegal but demonstrate a willful disregard for the law.

3. Timing of Payments ( 15 U.S.C. 1666b ) : The failures in reporting also extend to the timing of payments. There have been instances where my payments have been reported late despite the fact that my payments were made timely and in accordance with the agreements in place. This misreporting has not only caused harm but has also imposed undue stress and financial implications on my ability to secure financing. 

Conclusion I demand a thorough investigation into the practices of XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX. Their continued failure to adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act is a violation of my rights as a consumer. I expect that the CFPB will take appropriate action to ensure that these agencies are held accountable for their violations. 

Additionally, I expect these agencies to rectify the inaccuracies on my reports immediately and provide me with a formal confirmation of the corrections made. 

Please inform me of the steps you will take regarding this complaint. I am prepared to take further action if necessary to enforce my rights. 

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX for their continued violations of federal laws regarding consumer rights. Despite my attempts to resolve these issues directly with the credit reporting agencies ( CRAs ), I have not received any resolution. This negligence not only affects my financial health but also violates my rights under several key federal statutes and regulations. 

1. Failure to Delete Late Payments The CRAs have failed to investigate and delete inaccurate late payments from my credit reports, violating : 15 U.S.C. 1666b : Timeframes for creditor responses and billing error corrections.

15 U.S.C. 1637 ( b ) : Mandate for accurate disclosure of credit account terms and conditions.

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 : Duty of furnishers to provide accurate information.

15 U.S.C. 1681i : Obligations to reinvestigate disputed items.

These provisions clearly establish a framework for timely and accurate reporting, which the CRAs have failed to uphold.

2. Improper Retention of Hard Inquiries I have disputed unauthorized and outdated inquiries on my reports, yet they remain unaddressed. This violates : 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( 2 ) : Restrictions on permissible purposes for obtaining credit reports.

15 U.S.C. 1681 ( q ) : Prohibitions on obtaining credit reports under false pretenses.

15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 : Obligations for security freezes and fraud alerts.

Retention of unauthorized inquiries is damaging and undermines consumer protections meant to safeguard against misuse of sensitive information.

3. Failure to Delete Charge-Offs and Related Violations Charge-offs and related negative entries remain on my credit report despite being inaccurate or outdated, in direct violation of : 15 U.S.C. 1666b : Requirements for correcting billing errors.

15 U.S.C. 1681i : CRA duties to reinvestigate disputed items.

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 : Responsibilities of furnishers to report accurate information.

Additionally, the reporting of charged-off accounts conflicts with 1099-C cancellation of debt requirements, which creates further inaccuracies in my reports.

4. Non-Compliance with Federal Regulations The CRAs are in violation of the following Consumer Financial Protection regulations : 12 CFR 1006.34 ( c ) : Disclosure standards for debt collectors.

12 CFR 1006.6 ( c ) : Prohibitions on misleading representations.

15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Requirements for maintaining maximum possible accuracy in credit reports.

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) : Mandate for furnishers to prevent the reporting of inaccurate information.

Request for Immediate Action Given the CRAs ongoing non-compliance, I request that the CFPB take the following actions : 1. Investigate the CRAs Practices : Enforce compliance with federal laws and hold the CRAs accountable for violations.

2. Require Deletion of Inaccurate Information : Ensure that all late payments, inquiries, and charge-offs are deleted from my reports. 
XXXX. Impose Penalties : Impose appropriate penalties on XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX for their negligence. 
XXXX. XXXX CRA Compliance Processes : Assess the CRAs reinvestigation procedures to prevent future violations. 

I trust the CFPB will take swift and decisive action to address these violations and protect consumers from further harm. I look forward to your response and resolution of this matter. 

Thank you for your attention to this urgent complaint. 


XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX Equifax Account # XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance {$330.00} {$0.00} {$130.00} Last Verified XX/XX/XXXX -- -- Date of Last Activity XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Date Reported XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Closed Date XX/XX/XXXX -- -- Account Rating Derogatory Derogatory Derogatory Account Description Individual Individual Individual Dispute Status Account not disputed Account not disputed Account not disputed Creditor Type Bank Credit Cards Credit Card - Finance Company National Credit Card Companies Account Status Closed Closed Closed Payment Status Collection/Chargeoff Collection/Chargeoff Collection/Chargeoff Creditor Remarks Charged off as bad debt Purchased by another lender Purchased by a another lender. 
Unpaid balance reported as a loss by the credit grantor. 
Charged off account Account transferred or sold Original Creditor -- -- -- Payment Amount {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Last Payment -- -- XX/XX/XXXX Term Length -- -- -- Past Due Amount {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Account XXXX Credit Card Credit Card XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX {$200.00} {$200.00} {$0.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX Equifax Account # XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance {$200.00} {$200.00} {$200.00} Last Verified XX/XX/XXXX -- -- Date of Last Activity XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Date Reported XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Closed Date XX/XX/XXXX -- -- Account Rating Paid Paid Paid Account Description Individual Individual Individual Dispute Status Account not disputed Account not disputed Account not disputed Creditor Type Bank Credit Cards Bank Credit Cards All Banks Account Status Closed Closed Closed Payment Status Current Current Current Creditor Remarks Canceled by credit grantor Account has been closed due to inactivity.

Closed or paid account/zero balance Accounts closed by credit grantor Original Creditor -- -- -- Payment Amount {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Last Payment XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Term Length -- -- -- Past Due Amount {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Account Type Secured credit card Credit line XXXX Payment Frequency XXXX XXXX {$200.00} {$200.00} {$0.00} XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX Equifax Account XXXX **** **** XXXX High Balance {$480.00} {$0.00} {$480.00} Last Verified XX/XX/XXXX -- -- Date of Last Activity XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Date Reported XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Closed Date XX/XX/XXXX -- -- Account Rating Paid Paid Derogatory Account Description Individual Individual Individual Dispute Status Account not disputed Account not disputed Account not disputed Creditor Type Bank Credit Cards Bank Credit Cards National Credit Card Companies Account Status Closed Closed Closed Payment Status Collection/Chargeoff Collection/Chargeoff Collection/Chargeoff Creditor Remarks Payment after charge off/collection Canceled by credit grantor Account has been closed due to inactivity. 
Unpaid balance reported as a loss by credit grantor. 
Paid charge off Accounts closed by XXXX XXXX Original Creditor -- -- -- Payment Amount {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Last Payment XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Term Length -- -- -- Past Due Amount {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Account Type Secured credit card XXXX line secured XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX {$300.00} {$300.00} {$0.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX Equifax Account # XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance {$780.00} {$780.00} {$780.00} Last Verified XX/XX/XXXX -- -- Date of Last Activity XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Date Reported XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed {$780.00} {$780.00} {$780.00} Closed Date XX/XX/XXXX -- -- Account Rating Derogatory Derogatory Derogatory Account Description Individual Individual Individual Dispute Status Account not disputed Account not disputed Account disputed Creditor Type Cellular Telephone/Paging Companies Wireless Telephone Service Providers Telephone Companies Account Status Closed Closed Open Payment Status Collection/Chargeoff Collection/Chargeoff Late 120 Days Creditor Remarks Collection Account Account information disputed by consumer, meets FCRA requirements Customer disputed account - reported by subscriber. 
Account seriously past due date/account assigned to attorney, collection agency, or credit grantor 's internal collection department. 
Consumer disputes this account information Collection account Original Creditor -- -- -- Payment Amount {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} Last Payment -- -- XX/XX/XXXX Term Length -- 1 Month ( XXXX ) -- Past Due Amount {$780.00} {$780.00} {$780.00} Account Type Telecommunications/Cellular Unknown - credit extension, review, or collection Collection Payment XXXX XXXX XXXX {$0.00} {$0.00} {$0.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX High Balance {$190.00} Last Verified -- Date of Last Activity XX/XX/XXXX Date Reported XX/XX/XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed {$0.00} Closed Date -- Account Rating Paid Account Description Individual Dispute Status Account not disputed Creditor Type Personal Loan Companies Account Status Closed Payment Status Late 30 Days Creditor Remarks -- Original Creditor -- Payment Amount {$0.00} Last Payment XX/XX/XXXX Term Length 3 Month ( XXXX ) Past Due Amount {$0.00} Account Type UXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief