Consumer complaint received 2025-12-28 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint to formally dispute the inaccurate, misleading, and unlawful reporting of negative accounts on my consumer credit reports. These accounts have been reported, removed, and then re-added to my credit profile without proper notice, verification, or legal authority, in violation of federal law. 

Improper Re-Reporting of Previously Removed Accounts Several negative accounts were previously removed or corrected as a result of disputes and investigations. However, these same accounts were later reinserted onto my credit reports without advance notice, without proper certification of accuracy, and without providing me the opportunity to contest the re-reporting prior to the damage occurring. 

This conduct violates 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), which requires that a consumer be notified in writing within 5 business days of any reinsertion of previously deleted information, along with certification that the information is complete and accurate. 

No such notice was provided. 

Case Law Supporting Violation Courts have consistently held that reinserting previously deleted information without proper notice and certification is unlawful. In XXXX XXXX Trans Union Corp., XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ), the court emphasized that credit reporting agencies and furnishers have an independent duty to ensure maximum possible accuracy and can not merely rely on automated or superficial verification processes. 

Additionally, in XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ), the court held that re-reporting inaccurate or previously removed information without proper investigation constitutes a violation of the FCRA. 

FDCPA Violations False and Misleading Reporting To the extent that any of the negative accounts are being reported by debt collectors or debt buyers, this conduct also violates the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). 

Specifically : 15 U.S.C. 1692e prohibits false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of a debt. 

15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 8 ) prohibits communicating credit information that is known or should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed. 

By reporting inaccurate balances, incorrect statuses, or re-reporting accounts without lawful authority, these furnishers have communicated false credit information, which constitutes an FDCPA violation. 

Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Investigation Despite disputes, the furnishers and credit reporting agencies failed to conduct a reasonable investigation as required under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ). Instead, the accounts were verified and re-reported without meaningful review, documentation, or validation. 

Harm Caused by This Reporting This inaccurate and unlawful reporting has caused substantial and ongoing harm, including but not limited to : A significant drop in my credit scores Denial of credit opportunities Less favorable loan terms and interest rates Damage to my financial standing and reputation Emotional distress, stress, and XXXX Interference with my ability to obtain housing, credit, and financial stability These damages are real, measurable, and directly attributable to the unlawful actions of the furnishers and credit reporting agencies. 

Also remove bankruptcy off credit report as you are reporting information incorrectly and it is causing severe damages.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation