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: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing a formal dispute and complaint against Experian for its unauthorized and inaccurate dispute handling, which has resulted in the wrongful deletion of a valid account from my credit report. This action has negatively impacted my credit rating and is a direct violation of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. 

Details of the Unauthorized Dispute I initiated a dispute with Experian regarding a XXXXXXXX XXXX  account ending in XXXX, but instead of properly addressing my dispute, Experian erroneously disputed and removed a completely different XXXXXXXX XXXX account ending in XXXX, which was never in question. This deletion was done without my authorization and without a legitimate basis, violating my rights under the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ), which requires credit bureaus to conduct accurate and reasonable reinvestigations of disputed information. 

Violations Committed by Experian XXXX. Failure to XXXX a Reasonable Investigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ) Experian not only failed to address my actual dispute but wrongfully removed a valid tradeline, demonstrating an unreasonable and reckless handling of my credit file. 
XXXX. Unauthorized Deletion of Accurate Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ) The XXXX XXXX account ending in XXXX was a valid and authorized account on which my mother added me as an authorized user. The FCRA does not permit Experian to delete accurate, verifiable accounts simply because a dispute was filed on an entirely separate account. 
XXXX. Failure to Maintain Maximum Possible Accuracy ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) Experian has a legal duty to ensure that the information it reports is accurate and complete. By removing a valid tradeline without cause, it has failed to uphold this obligation, causing unnecessary harm to my credit profile. 
XXXX. Violation of CFPBs Recent Enforcement Action Against Experian The CFPB has already taken legal action against Experian for sham dispute investigations and deceptive credit reporting practices. This case is yet another example of Experians reckless and unlawful conduct, which the CFPB has acknowledged as a systemic issue. I expect the CFPB to take immediate action to ensure Experian complies with federal law. 

Formal Demand for Immediate Resolution Due to Experians XXXX mishandling of my dispute, I am demanding the following corrective actions : Immediate reinstatement of the XXXXXXXX XXXX  account ending in XXXX on my credit report with the correct history as previously reported. 
A written confirmation from Experian verifying that this account has been restored and that the error has been fully rectified. 
A full review of Experians dispute-handling process regarding my file to prevent further unauthorized deletions. 
A written explanation of why Experian improperly disputed and removed an account that was never the subject of my dispute. 

I have attached supporting documentation, including the XXXX XXXX letter confirming my removal from the account, which I never requested nor authorized. I have suffered direct harm to my creditworthiness as a result of Experians actions, and I demand immediate corrective measures. 

If this issue is not fully resolved within 15 days, I will escalate this matter further by : Filing additional complaints with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) and my State Attorney General. 
Exploring legal action under the FCRA, which allows for statutory damages of up to {$1000.00} per violation, plus punitive damages and attorneys fees for willful noncompliance. 

Experian has already been held accountable for its deceptive dispute practices, and this is another clear instance of its failure to comply with federal consumer protection laws. I expect the CFPB to take swift action to ensure that Experian corrects its error and prevents further damage to my credit profile.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation