Consumer complaint received 2025-10-10 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX : XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX Upon speaking to Equifax, I was advised to upload the FTC affidavit and other documents rather than emailing them so that they can properly address my dispute. This complaint concerns an Equifax dispute regarding XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Confirmation Number XXXX. I am filing this complaint because Equifax states they have not received documentation from me, even though they previously responded to an email acknowledging receipt. This pertains specifically to information concerning XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I believe this demonstrates a pattern of this agency reporting false information to credit reporting agencies. I have suffered financial harm as a result, as a derogatory account on my file prevents me from working within my field. This is the only credit file on which XXXX XXXX XXXX remains. I have attached proof that I provided Equifax with information via email, demonstrating that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX has been dishonest by implying I never sent them proof. It appears they are now reporting to Equifax as a last attempt to continue their harassment and cause harm, as they can no longer report to other agencies. I have provided complete documentation of all relevant emails. I am disputing the continued inaccuracies reported by XXXX XXXX XXXX, which recently updated my credit file on XX/XX/XXXX. This letter serves as an additional dispute to a previously submitted issue, as the account continues to be reported. XXXX XXXX XXXX has provided false information to credit reporting agencies through the following actions : 1. Misrepresenting themselves as the original creditor.2. Re-aging the account to show an opening date of XXXX XXXX.3. Falsely reporting that I made payments on this account, suggesting it was performing.4. Falsely reporting this account under XXXX XXXX XXXX  to avoid detection, using a different street address that traces back to XXXX XXXX XXXX.5. Hiring a third-party company to contact me after I issued a cease and desist letter.6. Reporting the account on my credit file despite stating on XX/XX/XXXX, that they made a business decision to close it. This is not my account, and they have failed to fully validate the debt, providing only inaccurate information from XXXX.7. Failing to respond to my attempts to contact them, despite instructing me to do so in their response. I have spoken with Equifax, and the account is still appearing on my credit file. Equifax noted that XXXX XXXX XXXX is responding to inquiries by stating the account is closed, yet they are simultaneously reporting it as open and valid. Furthermore, XXXX XXXX XXXX has responded as if I have multiple accounts, knowing I am specifically complaining about the account associated with XXXX. They state they closed the account, but it has not been removed from my credit file. According to Equifax, they never received a copy of the FTC affidavit or the police report, even though it was emailed to their Executive team, who responded that they received it. Re-aging '' debt and FCRA violationsIllegal " re-aging '' : Debt buyers or collection agencies are prohibited from " re-aging '' debt, which means misrepresenting the age of the debt by reporting it as a newly incurred obligation. This can include altering the date of first delinquency ( DOFD ) to extend the time it appears on your credit report.FCRA violations : If a debt buyer misrepresents the age of the debt or its status on your credit report, they are violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) .Your rights under FCRA : The FCRA is designed to ensure fair, timely, and accurate reporting of credit information. It gives you the right to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report. What to do if you find inaccurate reportingIf you suspect a debt buyer has inaccurately reported a charged-off account or re-aged a debt on your credit report, you can take these steps : Dispute with the debt buyer : Send a letter to the debt buyer, explaining why you are disputing the debt and requesting validation. The debt buyer is legally required to investigate your dispute.Dispute with the credit reporting agencies : File a dispute with the three major credit bureaus ( Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX ). Be sure to include supporting documentation and clearly explain the inaccuracy. The credit bureaus must investigate your dispute. The collection account will typically have a newer " open date '' compared to the original charge-off date, which represents when the debt was transferred to the debt buyer or agency. However, this newer open date doesn't restart the seven-year period during which the negative information can remain on your credit report. All entries related to the same debt should reflect the date of your first missed payment ( delinquency ) that led to the charge-off for purposes of determining how long they can stay on your report. It's important to understand that while the debt buyer can report the debt, they can not " re-age '' the debt by falsely reporting it as a newly incurred obligation. If a debt buyer misrepresents the age of the debt or its status on your credit report, it can be a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). If you find a debt buyer has inaccurately reported a charged-off account, you have the right to dispute the information with both the debt buyer and the credit reporting agencies. I would like this account removed from my credit report This account needs to be immediately removed from my credit file. I believe legal action may be necessary at this point. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX | XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation