Consumer complaint received 2025-11-06 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account information incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
SYSTEMATIC FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT VIOLATIONS- COMPLETE FILE FAILURE, INCONSISTENT REPORTING, AND IMPROPER DISPUTE INVESTIGATIONS DISCOVERY AND TIMELINE : XX/XX/XXXX : I obtained my tri-merge credit report and discovered severe systematic violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act affecting all three credit bureaus and numerous creditors. 

XXXX XXXX : I sent certified mail dispute letters to TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax detailing specific errors on multiple accounts. I included supporting documentation ( payment records, account statements, loan modification notices, identity theft affidavits ). I requested XXXX of XXXX documentation for all disputed accounts. I also sent debt validation requests under FDCPA Section 809 ( b ) to collection agencies and information requests to furnishers under FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 2 ). 

XX/XX/XXXX : All three credit bureaus sent generic form letters stating disputes were " investigated '' and information was " verified as accurate. '' However, no XXXX of XXXX documentation was provided, no specific explanation of verification procedures was given, and many accounts still show " consumer disputes after resolution '' or " subscriber reports dispute resolved - consumer disagrees '' proving investigations were inadequate. XXXX agencies did not respond to debt validation requests within the required XXXX days. Furnishers did not respond to information requests. 

VIOLATION XXXX XXXX - TRANSUNION COMPLETE FILE FAILURE ( MOST CRITICAL ) : TransUnion credit report shows : - Total accounts : XXXX - Credit score : " Can not be calculated '' - Open accounts : XXXX - Closed accounts : XXXX - All data fields : Empty or " none reported '' Meanwhile, for the same person on the same date : - Experian shows : XXXX total accounts, XXXX open, XXXX closed, balances totaling {$640000.00} - Equifax shows : XXXX total accounts, XXXX open, XXXX closed, balances totaling {$640000.00} This complete file failure violates FCRA Sections 607 ( a ), 602, and 15 USC 1681e ( b ). I have extensive credit history dating to XXXX including mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, and other accounts. TransUnion 's complete failure to maintain my file prevented me from refinancing my mortgage in XX/XX/XXXX ( estimated cost : {$12000.00} in higher interest over loan term ). I can not obtain accurate tri-merge credit scores required by most lenders. This is not a minor error but complete systemic failure. 

VIOLATION XXXX XXXX - INCONSISTENT MULTI-BUREAU REPORTING : XXXX XXXX  XXXX  ( Primary Mortgage - Balance {$440000.00} ) : - TransUnion : NOT REPORTED AT ALL - Experian : Balance {$440000.00}, Payment {$4000.00}, Late XXXX  Days, Past Due {$15000.00}, Last Payment XX/XX/XXXX - Equifax : Balance {$440000.00}, Payment {$4000.00}, Late XXXX  Days, Past Due {$15000.00}, Last Payment XX/XX/XXXX Account opened XX/XX/XXXX. Experian and Equifax show different last payment dates ( XX/XX/XXXX vs XX/XX/XXXX ), and account is completely missing from TransUnion. Violates FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ). 

XXXX XXXX  ( Balance {$34000.00} ) : - TransUnion : NOT REPORTED AT ALL - Experian : Balance {$34000.00}, High Balance {$34000.00}, Late XXXX  Days, Past Due {$5800.00} - Equifax : Balance {$34000.00}, High Balance {$27000.00}, Late XXXX  Days, Past Due {$5800.00} Account opened XX/XX/XXXX. Different high credit limits ( {$34000.00} vs {$27000.00} ), different late payment classifications ( XXXX  days vs XXXX  days ), and missing from TransUnion. Violates FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ). 

XXXX XXXX  ( XXXX {$22000.00} ) : - TransUnion : NOT REPORTED AT ALL - Experian : Charge-off {$22000.00}, Date of Last Activity XX/XX/XXXX, Last Payment XX/XX/XXXX - Equifax : Charge-off {$22000.00}, Date of Last Activity XX/XX/XXXX, Last Payment XX/XX/XXXX Account opened XX/XX/XXXX, original amount {$30000.00}. Different dates across bureaus and completely missing from TransUnion. Violates FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ). 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Home Equity - Balance {$57000.00} ) : - TransUnion : NOT REPORTED AT ALL - Experian : Balance {$57000.00}, Late XXXX  Days, Past Due {$1500.00}, Last Payment XX/XX/XXXX - Equifax : Balance {$57000.00}, Late XXXX  Days, Past Due {$1500.00}, Last Payment XX/XX/XXXX Account opened XX/XX/XXXX. Different last payment dates and missing from TransUnion. 

PATTERN : Major creditors systematically report to only XXXX or XXXX bureaus while TransUnion shows XXXX accounts, creating wildly inconsistent credit profiles that do not accurately reflect my credit history. 

VIOLATION XXXX XXXX - IMPROPER DISPUTE INVESTIGATIONS : XXXX ( Charge-off {$41000.00} ) : - Experian : Balance {$41000.00}, High Balance {$41000.00}, Date of Last Activity XX/XX/XXXX, Shows " Subscriber reports dispute resolved - consumer disagrees '' - Equifax : Balance {$41000.00}, High Balance {$12000.00}, Date of Last Activity XX/XX/XXXX, Shows " Account disputed '' and " Consumer disputes after resolution '' Account opened XX/XX/XXXX. The notation " consumer disagrees '' after " dispute resolved '' proves investigation was inadequate. I provided documentation showing unauthorized charges totaling approximately {$28000.00}, identity theft report filed in XXXX, proof I was out of country when charges occurred, and requested transaction-level documentation. Bureaus report different high balances ( {$41000.00} vs {$12000.00} - a {$28000.00} difference ) and different dates of last activity ( XX/XX/XXXX vs XX/XX/XXXX - XXXX  months apart ), proving neither properly verified information. No XXXX of XXXX documentation was provided. Violates FCRA Sections 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ( i ), 611 ( a ) ( 7 ). 

XXXX ( XXXX {$26000.00} ) : - Experian : Balance {$26000.00}, Shows " Account not disputed '' yet also states " dispute resolved/Consumer disagrees '' ( contradictory ) - Equifax : Balance {$26000.00}, Shows " Account disputed '' and " Consumer disputes after resolution '' Account opened XX/XX/XXXX. Experian shows contradictory dispute statuses proving poor recordkeeping. Different dates of last activity ( XX/XX/XXXX vs XX/XX/XXXX ). I disputed because charges were made after I closed account, XXXX XXXX failed to honor closure request, many charges were unauthorized. I requested transaction-level documentation - never provided. No XXXX of XXXX documentation provided. Violates FCRA Sections 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ). 

XXXX AUTHORIZED USER ACCOUNT ( Balance {$0.00}, Paid, Closed ) : - Equifax only XXXX Shows " Consumer disputes after resolution '' Account opened XX/XX/XXXX, high balance {$3000.00}. Even a PAID, CLOSED authorized user account shows unresolved dispute. I disputed because I never authorized being added as authorized user - account holder used my information without permission. This should be removed as identity theft. Equifax marked " resolved '' without removing account or explaining why they believe I authorized this. Demonstrates systematic failure to properly investigate. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Home Equity {$57000.00} ) : - Experian : Shows " Subscriber reports dispute resolved - consumer disagrees '' - Equifax : Shows " Consumer disputes after resolution '' I disputed because late payments were reported during loan modification review period. Documentation shows : Applied for modification XX/XX/XXXX, servicer instructed me to stop payments during review, modification denied XX/XX/XXXX, payments resumed immediately. Servicer should not have reported late payments during protected review period per CFPB guidance. Both bureaus marked " resolved '' without obtaining modification documentation from servicer, verifying whether I was properly instructed to stop payments, or determining whether late payment reporting during modification review was proper. " Consumer disagrees '' notation proves dispute not actually resolved. Violates FCRA Sections 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), 623 ( a ) ( 2 ) and 12 CFR 1024.41. 

XXXX XXXX  ( Balance {$0.00}, Paid, Closed XX/XX/XXXX ) : - Experian : Shows " Subscriber reports dispute resolved - consumer disagrees '' - Equifax : Shows " Account disputed '' and " Consumer disputes after resolution '' High balance {$1000.00}. Even though paid in full and closed, shows unresolved dispute. I disputed PAYMENT HISTORY because it inaccurately showed late payments during XXXX when I always paid on time. Both bureaus marked " resolved '' without correcting inaccurate payment history and without XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX documentation showing they verified payment history. Demonstrates bureaus only verify current balance/status, not detailed payment history that impacts credit scores. 

PATTERN : XXXX separate accounts show identical pattern - " dispute resolved '' immediately followed by " consumer disagrees '' or " consumer disputes after resolution, '' no XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX documentation provided, no specific explanation of what was verified or who verified it, generic form letters only. This proves credit bureaus are not conducting genuine investigations. They contact furnishers and accept whatever response is provided without reviewing specific documentation I provided, requesting detailed verification, making independent assessment of accuracy, or providing investigation results including XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX. Violates FCRA Sections 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), 611 ( a ) ( 2 ), 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ( i ), 611 ( a ) ( 7 ), 15 USC 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ), and 12 CFR 1022.43. 

VIOLATION XXXX XXXX - DUPLICATE AND QUESTIONABLE COLLECTION ACCOUNTS : XXXX  vs XXXX XXXX XXXX ( APPARENT DUPLICATE ) : XXXX  ( Equifax only ) : - Account number ending XXXX - Amount : {$13000.00} - Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX - Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX. 
- Status : Derogatory, Open, Late XXXX  Days - Shows " Consumer disputes this account information '' XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Experian only ) : - Account number ending XXXX - Amount : {$13000.00} - Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX - Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX. 
- Status : Derogatory, Closed, Collection/Chargeoff - Shows " Customer disputed account - reported by subscriber '' IDENTICAL account numbers, amounts, dates, and original creditor. Related company names. This is either duplicate reporting of same debt violating FCRA accuracy requirements OR same collection agency using different names across bureaus to avoid detection. Additionally, {$13000.00} is approximately 32 % of the XXXX charge-off balance of {$41000.00}, suggesting this may be partial settlement or portion of that debt. I sent debt validation requests under FDCPA Section 809 ( b ) to both entities in XX/XX/XXXX requesting proof they own/are authorized to collect debt, chain of custody from XXXX, original account documentation, explanation of whether these are same debt, and itemized accounting. As of XX/XX/XXXX ( over XXXX  days later ), XXXX entity responded. Violates FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), FDCPA Sections 809 ( b ), 807 ( 2 ) ( A ), 807 ( 10 ). 

XXXX XXXX XXXX - XXXX QUESTIONABLE ACCOUNTS : ACCOUNT XXXX ( Experian only, ending XXXX ) : - Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX- Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX - Original Amount : {$3000.00} - Collection Amount : {$3600.00} ( 21 % increase = {$630.00} ) - Description : " Responsible in Case of Default '' ACCOUNT XXXX ( Experian only, ending XXXX ) : - Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX- Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX ( just XXXX  months after Account XXXX ) - Original Amount : {$3500.00} - Collection Amount : {$4200.00} ( 21 % increase = {$740.00} ) - Description : " Responsible in Case of Default '' ACCOUNT XXXX ( Equifax only, ending XXXX ) : - Original Creditor : XXXX  XXXX- Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX - Amount : {$74.00} VIOLATIONS : BALANCE INFLATION : Both XXXX accounts show 21 % increases ( {$630.00} and {$740.00} ) without documentation of authorized interest or fees. Violates FDCPA Section 808 ( 1 ) and FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ). 

POTENTIAL DUPLICATE OR RE-AGING : XXXX collection accounts from same original creditor ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) opened just XXXX  months apart with similar amounts suggests same debt reported XXXX  or improperly re-aged to restart XXXX reporting period. Violates FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), FDCPA Section 807 ( 2 ) ( A ), FCRA Section 605 ( a ) ( 4 ).

QUESTIONABLE OWNERSHIP : Both show " Responsible in Case of Default '' suggesting I may have been guarantor, not primary account holder. XXXX XXXX XXXX is merchant payment processor. I never operated business requiring merchant processing, never opened XXXX accounts, never agreed to be guarantor on anyone 's XXXX account. If these are business debts or I was only guarantor, reporting on personal credit violates FCRA accuracy requirements. 

NO DEBT VALIDATION : XX/XX/XXXX, I sent certified debt validation requests to XXXX XXXX XXXX for all three accounts under FDCPA Section 809 ( b ) requesting : proof they own/are authorized to collect, copy of original agreements, itemized accounting showing how balances increased, verification I was primary account holder not guarantor, documentation proving XXXX XXXX accounts are separate debts not duplicates, complete chain of custody. As of XX/XX/XXXX ( over XXXX  days ), no response received. Under FDCPA Section 809 ( b ), they must cease collection activities until validation provided. By continuing to report without providing validation, they violate FDCPA. 

SELECTIVE REPORTING : All XXXX  accounts reported to ONLY XXXX BUREAU EACH ( XXXX to Experian, XXXX to Equifax, none to TransUnion ). This creates inconsistent profiles, suggests forum shopping ( picking bureaus less likely to investigate ), helps avoid detection of duplicate/inflated debts, and is suspicious combined with TransUnion 's XXXX file failure. 

XXXX  XXXX  : {$74.00} amount is suspicious- extremely small ( agencies typically don't pursue under {$100.00} ), no recollection of owing this, may be billing dispute from policy cancellation, no validation provided despite request. If XXXX referred to collections without proper final billing and opportunity to dispute, violates state insurance regulations and FDCPA Section 809 ( a ). 

PATTERN : All XXXX collection accounts ( XXXX XXXX + XXXX XXXX XXXX + XXXX XXXX  ) show identical pattern - reported to only XXXX bureau each, no debt validation despite written requests, questionable ownership/inflated balances/duplicate reporting, showing " Account not disputed '' despite my validation requests. Total questionable collection debt : {$21000.00}. Violates FDCPA Sections 809 ( b ), 808 ( 1 ), 807 ( 2 ) ( A ), 807 ( 10 ) and FCRA Sections 623 ( a ) ( 1 ), 605 ( a ) ( 4 ). 

VIOLATION XXXX XXXX - ADDITIONAL INCONSISTENCIES : XXXX CHARGE ACCOUNT ( Equifax only, ending XXXX ) : Balance {$3400.00}, opened XX/XX/XXXX, creditor type " Television/Radio Sales and Service, '' Late XXXX  Days XXXX times over XXXX  years, last payment XX/XX/XXXX. I never opened account with television/radio sales company. May be identity theft or fraudulent account. Disputed with identity theft documentation. Equifax failed to properly investigate. Reported ONLY to Equifax ( suspicious for legitimate creditor ). 

FINANCIAL HARM : XX/XX/XXXX : DENIED for mortgage refinancing due to inaccurate credit information, TransUnion file failure preventing tri-merge score, and unresolved disputed accounts showing as derogatory. ESTIMATED COST : {$12000.00} in higher interest over remaining loan term. 

UNABLE to consolidate high-interest debt due to credit score suppression from inaccurate negative accounts and inconsistent reporting preventing accurate creditworthiness assessment. ESTIMATED COST : {$3600.00} annually in excessive interest charges. 

DENIED for credit cards with promotional 0 % APR offers. ESTIMATED COST : {$1200.00} annually in lost balance transfer savings. 

SPENT over XXXX hours attempting to resolve : preparing detailed dispute letters with documentation, researching FCRA/FDCPA requirements, making phone calls to bureaus ( all ineffective ), organizing documents, tracking responses. TIME VALUE : XXXX XXXX. 

EMOTIONAL DISTRESS from anxiety about inaccurate credit information, frustration with ineffective dispute process, stress about inability to refinance home, concern about identity theft and fraudulent accounts. 

TOTAL QUANTIFIABLE HARM : $ XXXX annually. 
TOTAL UNVALIDATED COLLECTION DEBT DAMAGING CREDIT : {$21000.00}. 

REQUESTED ACTION : INVESTIGATE systematic FCRA and FDCPA violations by TransUnion, Experian, Equifax, XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

REQUIRE TRANSUNION TO immediately restore complete credit file, calculate credit score, explain failure, implement prevention procedures, and pay damages. 

REQUIRE ALL BUREAUS TO conduct proper reinvestigations with actual verification, provide Method of Verification documentation, delete unverifiable information, ensure consistent reporting across all three bureaus, and implement better dispute procedures beyond form letters. 

REQUIRE FURNISHERS TO report accurately and consistently to all three bureaus, properly investigate consumer disputes, provide complete documentation when requested, correct or delete inaccurate information, and stop selective reporting. 

REQUIRE COLLECTION AGENCIES TO provide complete debt validation or delete accounts, stop balance inflation without authorization, stop duplicate reporting, stop using different company names for same debts, and cease selective single-bureau reporting. 

TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION including civil penalties for willful violations, require systemic changes to dispute procedures, monitor compliance, and publish findings to deter future violations. 

AWARD APPROPRIATE RELIEF including actual damages for mortgage denial and higher interest costs ( $ XXXX ), statutory damages up to {$1000.00} per violation under FCRA Section 616, punitive damages for willful violations under FCRA Section 617, and attorney 's fees under FCRA Section 616 ( a ) ( 3 ). 

ENSURE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIONS : TransUnion file restoration within XXXX  days, all disputed accounts reinvestigated with Method of Verification within XXXX  days, all unvalidated collections deleted within XXXX  days, consistent reporting across all bureaus within XXXX  days. 

LEGAL BASIS : Filed under Fair Credit Reporting Act ( 15 USC 1681 et seq. ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( 15 USC 1692 et seq. ), CFPB Regulations ( XXXX XXXX XXXX et seq. ), and XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX et seq. ). I reserve all rights to pursue private legal action under FCRA Sections 616-617, FDCPA Section 813, state consumer protection laws, and state unfair/deceptive practices statutes. 

CONCLUSION : This represents systematic, willful violations of federal consumer protection laws by multiple entities. The pattern demonstrates : ( XXXX ) complete systemic failure by TransUnion to maintain credit file, ( XXXX ) inadequate " rubber stamp '' investigations by Experian and Equifax, ( XXXX ) selective reporting by furnishers to manipulate credit profiles, ( XXXX ) unvalidated collection accounts with inflated balances, ( XXXX ) duplicate reporting of same debts under different names, ( XXXX ) refusal to provide required documentation, and ( XXXX ) consistent pattern of marking disputes " resolved '' when consumer still disagrees. These violations caused significant financial harm and prevented access to accurate credit information - a fundamental right under FCRA Section 602. I exhausted all reasonable attempts to resolve directly with companies. They consistently failed to comply with FCRA and FDCPA requirements. CFPB investigation and enforcement action is necessary to correct violations, compensate for harm, deter future violations through penalties, and protect other consumers from similar systematic violations. I request immediate action on TransUnion 's complete file failure while conducting thorough investigation of all other violations.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation