Consumer complaint received 2024-12-04 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Dispute of Inaccurate Credit Reporting under FCRA and FDCPA To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute the inaccuracies reported on my credit file under the account XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX '' as reflected in the enclosed credit report dated XX/XX/XXXX. I am disputing these inaccuracies with both Equifax and XXXX, as they fail to meet the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692. 
Account Details in Question * Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX ( as listed on the report ) * Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX ( XXXX ) and XX/XX/XXXX ( Equifax ) * Status : Collection/Charge-Off * Balance : {$0.00} * High Credit : {$3700.00} ( XXXX ), {$2900.00} ( Equifax ) * Last Reported Date : XX/XX/XXXX ( XXXX ) Discrepancies and Violations Noted 1. Conflicting Dates : The account " Date Opened '' is reported as XX/XX/XXXX by XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX by Equifax. These discrepancies suggest a failure to maintain accurate and consistent information as required under XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( b ), which mandates credit reporting agencies to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum accuracy. 
2. Balance Reporting : The account shows a {$0.00} balance, yet the comments state " Charged off as bad debt. '' This inconsistency can mislead creditors and violates the accuracy requirement under the FCRA. If the balance is {$0.00}, the charge-off status should reflect the correct disposition of the debt. 
3. Duplicate Reporting of High Credit and Credit Limit : There are discrepancies in the " High Credit '' and " Credit Limit '' fields between XXXX ( {$3700.00} ) and Equifax ( {$2900.00} ). Reporting differing amounts for the same account undermines the reliability of the data. 
4. Ambiguity in Account Status : The account is reported as " Collection/Charge-Off '' and noted as " Purchased by another lender. '' If the debt has been transferred, the original creditor is obligated to update the account as " Transferred '' rather than " Charge-Off. '' Failing to do so violates the accuracy and completeness requirements outlined in 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ). 
5. Failure to Notify of Sale/Transfer : As per the FDCPA, the original creditor or collector must notify me of the sale or transfer of this account, including details about the new creditor. To date, I have not received any such notification, which is a violation of 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ). 
Equifax Data Breach and Additional Concerns I would also like to highlight that I was a victim of the highly publicized Equifax data breach, which compromised the sensitive personal and financial information of millions of consumers. This breach, which Equifax announced in XXXX, has severely undermined my confidence in the companys ability to safeguard my data and maintain accurate credit reporting. The breach exposed critical personal details such as Social Security numbers, addresses, and financial records, leaving victims vulnerable to identity theft and fraudulent activity. 
As part of the resolution process, Equifax has acknowledged its failure to protect consumer data and has committed to compensating affected individuals. I have attached documentation confirming my status as a victim of the breach and my eligibility for compensation under the settlement terms. This breach demonstrates a systemic failure on Equifaxs part to uphold its responsibilities under the FCRA and ensure the integrity of its credit reporting systems. The inaccuracies and inconsistencies in my credit report further compound these failures and exacerbate the harm caused by the breach. 
Formal Request for Resolution Under the provisions of the FCRA and FDCPA, I request the following : 1. Investigation and Verification : Conduct a thorough investigation into the discrepancies noted above and provide verification of the account details from the original creditor. 
2. Correction or Deletion : Correct all inaccuracies in this account, including the dates, balances, and status. If the inaccuracies can not be verified, the account must be deleted from my credit file under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ).

3. Written Response : Provide a written explanation of your findings and the actions taken as a result of this dispute within 30 days, as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ).

Enclosures * Copy of the disputed credit report highlighting the inaccuracies. 
* Documentation confirming my status as a victim of the Equifax data breach. 
Failure to comply with my request may result in further action, including filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). I trust that you will treat this matter with the urgency it requires to ensure compliance with federal law. 

Be aware that I am keeping a detailed record of all communications and actions taken throughout this process. Failure to respond to this and address these violations within the specified timeframe will leave me with no choice but to proceed with legal action to protect my rights as a consumer. 
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief