Consumer complaint received 2025-01-02 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: MO

Complaint narrative:
# # # Comprehensive Credit Dispute Report # # # # Submitted by : XXXX  : XXXX # XXXX # # Date : XX/XX/year> **Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) ** [ CFPB Address ] XXXX, XXXX XXXX 

**Subject : ** Formal Complaint Regarding Credit Reporting Violations Dear CFPB, I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding significant violations of federal laws by the following entities : XXXX, Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX These violations have adversely impacted my credit report, financial stability, and overall well-being. 

# # # **Summary of Complaint** The violations identified in my credit reports include : XXXX. **Name and Address Inaccuracies** : XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX reported incorrect names and addresses, violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 USC 1681e ( b ), which mandates maximum possible accuracy in reporting. 
2. **Re-aged Accounts and Misreported Status** : XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX re-aged accounts and misreported closed accounts as active, breaching FCRA, 15 USC 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ) and 1681s-2. 
XXXX. **Unauthorized Third-party Transfers** : XXXX transferred federal loans without proper disclosures, violating the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ), 15 USC 6801 & 6802. 
XXXX. **Unauthorized Credit Inquiries** : XXXX XXXX  and XXXX XXXX XXXX conducted inquiries without my consent, breaching FCRA, 15 USC 1681q . 
5. **Creditor Harassment** : XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX engaged in repeated harassment, violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 USC 1692d and 1692g. 
XXXX. **Loan Servicing Errors** : XXXX and the Department of Education failed to provide accurate payment applications and account transfer details, violating TILA, 15 USC 1666 . 

# # # **Impact of Violations** These violations have caused the following issues : - Inaccurate credit reports, resulting in denied credit opportunities. 
- Emotional distress due to creditor harassment. 
- Financial harm from misapplied loan payments and unauthorized account handling. 

# # # **Requested Remedies** I request the following actions to resolve these violations : XXXX. Investigate the listed companies for non-compliance with federal laws. 
XXXX. Direct XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX to correct name and address inaccuracies. 
XXXX. Require XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX to update account statuses and cease misreporting. 
XXXX. Enforce penalties against XXXX for unauthorized account transfers and payment misapplications. 
XXXX. Mandate XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX to remove unauthorized inquiries. 
XXXX. Ensure XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ceases harassment and complies with FDCPA requirements. 

# # # **Supporting Documentation** Attached to this letter are the following documents : - Copies of credit reports highlighting inaccuracies. 
- Communications and evidence of harassment from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
- XXXX servicing statements from XXXX and the Department of Education. 



# # # **1. Summary of Violations** This report outlines violations identified in credit reports from XXXX, Equifax XXXX and XXXX XXXX The issues include name and address inaccuracies, re-aged accounts, reporting of closed accounts as active, late payments, unauthorized third-party account handling, improper contractual terms, unauthorized inquiries, creditor harassment, and violations of student loan servicing regulations. These violations contravene federal laws, including : - **Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) ** - **Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) ** - **Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Act** - **Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) ** - **Interstate Commerce laws** # # # **2 . Violations by Company** # # # # XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Re-aged accounts ( 15 USC 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ) ). 
- Misreported closed accounts as active ( 15 USC 1681e ( b ) ).

- Harassment through repeated calls and communications ( 15 USC 1692d ).

- Failure to validate debt within 5 days ( 15 USC 1692g ). 

# # # # **XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX Reporting closed accounts as active ( 15 USC 1681e ( b ) ). 
- Inaccurate reporting of late payments ( 15 USC 1681s-2 ).

- Improper billing practices under TILA ( 15 USC 1666b ). 

# # # # **XXXX  and Department of Education** - Unauthorized account transfers ( GLBA, 15 USC 6801 & 6802 ). 
- Inaccurate student loan servicing ( TILA, 15 USC 1666 ).

- Misapplication of payments ( 15 USC 1681s-2 ). 

# # # # **XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Unauthorized credit inquiries ( 15 USC 1681q , 1681b ). 

# # # # **XXXX, Equifax XXXX and XXXX** XXXX Name and address inaccuracies ( 15 USC 1681e ( b ) ). 
- Reporting outdated or incorrect delinquency dates ( 15 USC 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ) ).

- Failure to maintain compliance procedures ( 15 USC 1681e ).

- Sale of incorrect or incomplete data to third parties ( 15 USC 1681s-2 ). 

# # # **3. Violations by Category** # # # # **a. Name and Address Inaccuracies** - **Violation** : FCRA, 15 USC 1681e ( b ) - Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy. 
- **Companies** : XXXX, Equifax, XXXX. 
- **Details** : - Incorrect names and addresses reported by the credit bureaus. 
- Impact : Potential identity confusion and hindered credit decisions. 

# # # # **b. Re-aged Accounts and Misreported Status** - **Violation** : - FCRA, 15 USC 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ) - Reporting obsolete information. 
- FCRA, 15 USC 1681s-2 - Misreporting delinquency dates. 
- **Companies** : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
- **Details** : - Accounts were re-aged to extend derogatory reporting periods. 
- Impact : Extended reporting of derogatory information and financial harm. 

# # # # **c. Reporting Closed Accounts as Active with Late Payments** - **Violation** : - FCRA, 15 USC 1681e ( b ) - Inaccurate reporting. 
- TILA, 15 USC 1666b - Failure to accurately reflect billing practices. 
- **Companies** : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
- **Details** : - Closed accounts were reported as active with past-due balances. 
- Impact : Distorted credit profile and financial harm. 

# # # # **d. Unauthorized Third-party Account Handling** - **Violation** : - FTC Act, Section 5 ( a ) - Deceptive practices. 
- FCRA, 15 USC 1681b - Unauthorized access and sharing of consumer reports. 
- **Companies** : XXXX, Department of Education XXXX 
- **Details** : - Federal loans were transferred to third-party servicers without disclosure. 

# # # # **e. Unauthorized Inquiries** - **Violation** : - FCRA, 15 USC 1681q - Obtaining consumer reports under false pretenses. 
- FCRA, 15 USC 1681b - Lack of permissible purpose. 
- **Companies** : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
- **Details** : - Hard inquiries were conducted without consumer consent. 

# # # # **f. Creditor Harassment and Communication Failures** - **Violation** : - FDCPA, 15 USC 1692c - Improper communication.

- FDCPA, 15 USC 1692d - Harassment. 
- FDCPA, 15 USC 1692g - Failure to provide debt validation within 5 days. 
- **Details** : - Repeated harassment calls from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

# # # # **g. Loan Servicing Issues** - **Violation** : - TILA, 15 USC 1666 - Billing errors. 
- GLBA, 15 USC 6801 & 6802 - Failure to disclose account transfer terms.

- **Details** : - XXXX  and Department of Education accounts with unclear payment histories. 

-- -Requested Remedies I request the following actions to resolve these violations, as permitted under federal laws : Cease and Desist Orders : Immediately halt all inaccurate reporting, unauthorized inquiries, and collection activities associated with disputed accounts. 

Corrective Actions : Direct XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX to correct all name and address inaccuracies. 

Require XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX to update account statuses, adjust delinquency dates, and cease misreporting of closed accounts as active. 

XXXX-XXXX  Affected Accounts : Enforce remedies to XXXX  XXXX  balances on accounts impacted by violations to address financial harm and misreporting. 

Loan Servicing Compliance : Mandate XXXX and the Department of Education to accurately apply payments, disclose all account transfers, and provide clear documentation of loan balances. 

Repossession and Down Payment Violations : Investigate repossession actions and any violations concerning down payments, including improper retention of vehicles and failure to provide pink slips ( titles ) upon completion of payments. 

Consumer Harassment Penalties : Impose penalties on XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for harassment and failure to comply with FDCPA provisions regarding communication and debt validation. 

Return of Vehicle Title : Ensure all repossessed vehicles are returned with their respective titles ( pink slips ) and that any associated penalties or fees are refunded. 

Investigative Actions : Conduct thorough investigations into unauthorized account handling by XXXX and ensure compliance with TILA and FCRA regulations. 

Additional Legal Remedies Financial Restitution : Refund any excess payments or unauthorized fees charged. 

Compliance Confirmation : Provide written evidence of compliance with FCRA, TILA, FDCPA, and related statutes. 

Consumer Protection Measures : Mandate these companies to implement enhanced compliance procedures to prevent future violations. 
I request the following actions to resolve these violations : Investigate the listed companies for non-compliance with federal laws. 

Direct XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX to correct name and address inaccuracies. 

Require XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX to update account statuses and cease misreporting. 

Enforce penalties against XXXX for unauthorized account transfers and payment misapplications. 

Mandate XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX to remove unauthorized inquiries. 

Ensure XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ceases harassment and complies with FDCPA requirements. 


# # # **3. Requested Actions and Remedies** 1. **Cease and Desist** : Immediately halt reporting inaccurate information and collection activities for disputed accounts. 
2. **Corrective Action** : - Correct name and address inaccuracies. 
- Adjust delinquency dates and payment histories. 
3. **Account Adjustments** : - XXXX XXXX affected accounts. 
- Cease reporting closed accounts as active. 
4. **Investigation and Accountability** : - Investigate unauthorized account transfers and inquiries. 
- Provide written confirmations of corrective actions. 
Payment of Fines for Violations : Require all violators to pay statutory fines for each violation of FCRA, FDCPA, TILA, GLBA, and other applicable statutes. 

Ensure financial restitution to the complainant for damages caused by these violations. 
-- - # # # **4. Supporting Exhibits** Supporting Documentation Attached to this letter are the following documents : Copies of credit reports highlighting inaccuracies. 

Communications and evidence of harassment from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

Loan servicing statements from XXXX and the Department of Education. 
# # # # Exhibit A : Name and Address Inaccuracies- Highlighted discrepancies in uploaded files. 

# # # # Exhibit B : Re-aged Accounts - Evidence of altered delinquency dates. 

# # # # Exhibit C : Reporting of Closed Accounts - Details of XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX accounts. 

# # # # Exhibit D : Unauthorized Inquiries - Hard inquiries from XXXX XXXX and others. 

# # # # Exhibit E : Harassment Communications - Records of calls and emails. 

# # # # Exhibit F : Loan Servicing Errors - Aidvantage account documentation. 

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Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief