Consumer complaint received 2025-10-23 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: IL

Complaint narrative:
My XXXX was stolen from my home and after trying to resolve with company there was no help. The company states in a previous complaint that they charged this off in XXXX. Yet they still are seeking payment after charge off and account being closed. 
While I appreciate their acknowledgment, I must dispute the ongoing collection activity and continued reporting of a balance on an account you confirmed was charged off as of XX/XX/XXXX. Your letter states that my account was charged off in XXXX, yet XXXX XXXX  continues to report an outstanding balance of {$6300.00} and encourages me to remit payment. This practice is misleading, inconsistent with charge-off accounting treatment, and in violation of federal consumer protection laws, including : 1. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692e Prohibiting any false, deceptive, or misleading representation in connection with the collection of a debt. Once a debt is charged off and no longer actively collected, representing or implying that the balance remains collectible by the original creditor may constitute deceptive practice. 2. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) Requiring furnishers to report information to consumer reporting agencies accurately and completely. Reporting a charged-off account with a balance due while acknowledging it as a closed loss contradicts the accounts true financial status. 3. Internal Revenue Code 6050P Governing the issuance of Form 1099-C upon an identifiable event of debt cancellation, such as charge-off or decision to discontinue collection. Your letter states the Bank does not provide Form 1099-C for charged off accounts, which is inconsistent with IRS requirements and industry practice when a creditor ceases collection activity. Accordingly, I am requesting the following actions in compliance with federal law : 1. Immediate cessation of all collection efforts related to this account ; 2. Written verification of the current legal owner of the debt, if XXXX XXXX has sold, transferred, or assigned it ; XXXX. Correction or deletion of any tradeline associated with this account that inaccurately reports a balance due or active delinquency following charge-off ; XXXX. Written confirmation that no further adverse reporting or collection attempts will be made in connection with this matter ; 5. Clarification regarding your compliance with IRS Form 1099-C obligations relating to the charged-off balance. If XXXX XXXX  continues to report or pursue this charged-off debt in a manner inconsistent with the above statutes, I reserve all rights to file additional complaints with the CFPB, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ), and pursue further remedies under federal and state consumer protection laws. Please provide your written response within 15 business days of receipt of this letter. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation