Consumer complaint received 2025-03-02 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
Complainant Information : Name : XXXX XXXX Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, CA XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX Email : XXXX Complaint Follow-Up ( XX/XX/XXXX ) 1. Inaccurate Late Payment Reporting for XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX I previously submitted a formal dispute regarding an erroneous 30-day late payment on my credit report for XX/XX/XXXX ( XX/XX/XXXX ) associated with my account with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
Account Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Account Type : Unsecured Responsibility : Individual Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Status : Paid, Closed Status Updated : XX/XX/XXXX Despite my dispute, this late payment was falsely verified as accurate, even though I was never late. This misrepresents my financial habits and is an unlawful violation of federal credit reporting laws. 

I demand that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX and the credit reporting agencies immediately correct this error, as the previous investigation failed to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

2. Failure to Conduct a Proper Investigation Violation of FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), when a consumer disputes a late payment, the credit reporting agencies and the data furnisher must conduct a full, reasonable, and thorough investigation to verify its accuracy.

Merely referring to an account statement is NOT a legally sufficient method of verifying a late payment. 
Federal law requires a comprehensive review of all account records, including payment processing logs, internal account notes, and system-generated timestamps. 
Failure to conduct such an investigation is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

3. Account Statements Are NOT Sufficient Proof of a Late Payment Violation of FCRA Compliance Standards Credit furnishers can not simply rely on account statements or billing summaries to verify a late payment.

Regulatory guidance confirms that verifiable documentation, such as internal transaction records, payment timestamps, and payment processing logs, must be reviewed.

The burden of proof is on the furnisher and credit bureaus to ensure accurate reporting, and failure to do so constitutes willful noncompliance. 

4. Furnishing Inaccurate Information Violation of FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) Credit furnishers are legally obligated to ensure the accuracy and integrity of reported data.

If XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX failed to verify actual payment timestamps or transaction records, then their reporting is in violation of federal law. 

5. Violation of the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.

TILA 1638 ( a ) requires financial institutions to provide consumers with clear and accurate billing statements and transaction histories.

If the reported late payment is inconsistent with actual payment records, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX is in violation of TILAs accuracy requirements. 

6. Violation of the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act ( CCRAA ) Cal. Civ. Code 1785.25 Knowingly furnishing false or inaccurate information to a credit bureau is illegal under California law.

If this false late payment has impacted my credit score or lending opportunities, I reserve the right to seek statutory damages under California law.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief