Consumer complaint received 2025-06-09 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: AL

Complaint narrative:
NOTICE OF LIABILITY & RIGHT TO SUE TO : Equifax, TransUnion, Experian RE : Failure to Properly Validate & Verify Debt Under Federal Law DATE : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX. LEGAL BASIS FOR LIABILITY Credit reporting agencies ( CRAs ) are strictly liable under federal law for failing to ensure accurate reporting and proper validation of disputed debts. Accepting third-party verification without independent investigation violates multiple statutes, including : A. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), XXXX XXXX. XXXX et seq. 
XXXX ( b ) : Requires CRAs to follow " reasonable procedures '' to ensure maximum accuracy. 
XXXX ( a ) : Mandates a reinvestigation of disputed items, including direct validation with original creditors. 
o XXXX XXXX : XXXX v. XXXX & XXXX, XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) holds CRAs liable for relying on unverified furnisher responses. 
XXXX & XXXX : Provides for statutory damages ( {$100.00} {$1000.00} per violation ) + punitive damages + attorneys fees. 
B. UCC Article XXXX & XXXX ( Title XXXX XXXX XXXX ) XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : Defines " verification '' as requiring authentic proof of debt ownership ( e.g., wet-ink signature contracts ). 
XXXX XXXX : Demand for accounting requires affidavit-backed validation ( signed under penalty of perjury ). 
o CRAs violate XXXX by accepting electronic records or hearsay from debt buyers. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Truth in Lending Act, XXXX XXXX  XXXX ) XXXX ( b ) : Requires written proof of disputed debts within 30 days. 
CRAs that fail to obtain this from furnishers violate XXXX error-resolution rules. 
XXXX Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX ( b ) : Debt collectors must cease collection until validation is provided. 
CRAs aiding unvalidated collections face vicarious liability under XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). 
XXXX. NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS You are hereby notified that the following violations occurred : Failure to Reinvestigate : Accepted furnisher responses without affidavits, original contracts, or payment ledgers ( FCRA XXXX ). 
Willful Non-Compliance : Ignored disputes sent via certified mail ( violating FCRA XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) ). 
Defamation : Reported unverified debts as " accurate '' without proof ( XXXX XXXX ). 
XXXX. DEMAND FOR REMEDIAL ACTION Within XXXX  days, you must : XXXX. Delete all unverified accounts lacking : o Signed contract ( XXXX XXXX ). 
o Chain of title ( XXXX XXXX ). 
o Affidavit of debt validation ( FDCPA XXXX ). 
XXXX. Provide sworn documentation proving alleged debts comply with Regulation Z. 
XXXX. Cease reporting any account failing the above. 
Failure to comply will result in : Lawsuit for willful FCRA violations ( seeking {$1000.00} per violation + punitive damages ). 
Complaints to CFPB ( XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ) and state AGs. 
XXXX. RIGHT TO SUE This letter serves as formal notice under : FCRA XXXX ( XXXX ) : Pre-suit notice required. 
XXXX XXXX : Reservation of rights. 
If corrective action is not taken, litigation will proceed in XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX under : FCRA XXXX ( XXXX for willful violations, XXXX for negligence ). 
State XXXX claims ( XXXX  years under statute of limitations ). 
SIGNED UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Alabama, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation