Consumer complaint received 2025-02-04 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: NC

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this formal and urgent complaint against XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) for multiple willful violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). 

Despite three prior written disputes, XXXX has : XXXX. Knowingly reported false information to Equifax ( illegal re-aging of debt FCRA 1681c ( a ) ).

2. Misrepresented the debt amount by inflating the balance with unauthorized charges ( FDCPA 1692e ( 2 ) ( A ) & 1692f ( 1 ) ).

3. Failed to provide legally required validation after repeated disputes ( FDCPA 1692g ( b ) ).

4. Continued collection and credit reporting in violation of federal law ( FDCPA 1692g ( b ) & FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ) ).

5. Failed to respond to multiple disputes within the mandatory FCRA timeframe ( FCRA 1681i ( a ) ). Given the severity of these violations, this complaint qualifies for expedited dispute resolution under FCRA 1681i
( a ) ( 8 ), which mandates deletion of disputed information within XXXX business days. XXXX has demonstrated willful noncompliance, warranting immediate enforcement action and statutory penalties under FCRA 1681n and FDCPA 1692k. 

Violations Committed by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX. ILLEGAL RE-AGING OF DEBT FCRA XXXX ( a ) ( Fraudulent Payment History ) Evidence of Violation : XXXX falsely reported my last payment date as XX/XX/year>, to Equifax. 
My official XXXX Bank statement confirms that my last recorded transaction was XX/XX/year>. 
No payment was made on XX/XX/year>, proving XXXX knowingly submitted false data to extend the reporting period illegally. 

Legal Violation : XXXX FCRA XXXX ( a ), derogatory accounts must be removed after XXXX years from the date of first delinquency. 
XXXX has illegally altered the last payment date to extend the reporting period, violating federal law.

Expedited Action Trigger FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 8 ) : FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 8 ) requires expedited dispute resolution within 3 business days if the disputed information is unverifiable. 
XXXX has already failed to provide validation XXXX times, mandating immediate deletion. 

Requested CFPB Enforcement Actions : Order the immediate and permanent removal of this account from my credit report. 
Fine XXXX for willful FCRA violations under FCRA 1681n.

Ensure XXXX is barred from re-reporting or re-aging any future accounts. 

XXXX. FRAUDULENT BALANCE INFLATION FDCPA 1692e ( 2 ) ( A ) & 1692f ( 1 ) ( False Debt Amount ) Evidence of Violation : XXXX is attempting to collect an inflated balance of {$1100.00}, when the original charge-off balance was {$710.00}. 
XXXX unlawfully added {$460.00} in unauthorized fees and interest, with no legal or contractual basis. 

Legal Violation : FDCPA 1692e ( 2 ) ( A ) prohibits false representation of a debts amount, character, or legal status.

FDCPA 1692f ( 1 ) makes it illegal to charge fees or interest not explicitly authorized by contract or law.

Requested CFPB Enforcement Actions : Order XXXX to cease collection on this fraudulent balance immediately. 
Require XXXX to provide proof that it had legal authority to charge additional fees or remove them. 
Impose statutory fines under FDCPA 1692k for deceptive and unlawful collection practices. 

XXXX. INCOMPLETE AND LEGALLY INSUFFICIENT DEBT VALIDATION FDCPA XXXX ( a ) & XXXX ( b ) Evidence of Violation : XXXX responded to my debt validation request with an incomplete and legally insufficient response. 
XXXX failed to provide a copy of the original signed contract proving that I owe this debt. 
XXXX failed to provide an itemized breakdown of the balance increase from {$710.00} to {$1100.00}. 
XXXX failed to prove that it has the legal right to collect on this debt. 
XXXX continues collection activity despite its failure to validate the debt as required by law. 

Legal Violation : FDCPA 1692g ( a ) requires that, upon request, a debt collector must provide : The amount of the debt The name of the original creditor A statement that the consumer has 30 days to dispute the debt A statement that the debt collector must provide verification of the debt if disputed A statement that the original creditors name and address must be provided upon request FDCPA 1692g ( b ) further states that if a consumer disputes the debt in writing within 30 days, the debt collector must cease collection efforts until proper validation is provided.

XXXX  has failed to provide a complete and legally valid response, making their collection attempts unlawful. Under FDCPA 1692g ( b ), XXXX was required to suspend collection activity until they provided a full validationyet they continued their illegal attempts to collect. 

Requested CFPB Enforcement Actions : Order XXXX to immediately delete the account from my credit report. 
Impose fines on XXXX for failing to provide legally required validation after XXXX dispute requests. 
Ensure XXXX is barred from selling, transferring, or re-reporting this debt. 

Final Demand and Resolution Sought Due to the severity of these violations and XXXXs failure to respond to multiple disputes, this case qualifies for expedited resolution under FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 8 ), which mandates deletion within 3 business days.

I request the following mandatory actions within 15 days : 1. Permanently remove this account from my credit report across all bureaus.

2. Cease all collection activity immediately. 
XXXX. Provide written confirmation that XXXX will not sell, reassign, or re-report this debt. 
XXXX. Fine XXXX the maximum statutory penalties under the FCRA and FDCPA. 
XXXX. Award statutory and punitive damages for financial harm caused by these violations. 

If these demands are not met, I will escalate this matter to litigation and seek full compensation through federal court, including statutory damages under FCRA 1681n and FDCPA 1692k.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief