Consumer complaint received 2025-12-15 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: OH

Complaint narrative:
I submit this formal complaint against Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian for their continued and willful violations of federal consumer protection laws under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). These violations include the unlawful reinsertion of previously deleted accounts without proper notification, failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy, failure to investigate disputes within the mandated time frame, failure to provide verification details upon request, and failure to validate debt prior to reporting. 

Background & Violations My credit reports contain fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries that the Bureaus have failed to properly investigate and address despite multiple disputes and supporting documentation. Additionally, these Bureaus have removed fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries only to reinsert them without proper validation, constituting an egregious violation of 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) and ( b ). 
Furthermore, I sent a certified dispute letter to all three credit bureaus requesting verification details, including contracts, signatures, and all relevant documentation for these accounts. Despite more than 15 days passing, I have not received any response or documentation from any of the bureaus, which constitutes an additional violation of federal consumer protection laws, specifically : 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) : Failure to investigate disputes within the required 30-day period.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) : Failure to provide notice and
certification before reinserting previously deleted information.

15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) ( 4 ) : Failure to provide verification of debt, including original contracts and signatures, upon request.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ) : Failure to provide specific details on dispute findings. 

Related Lawsuits & CFPB Actions The CFPB has actively taken enforcement actions against the credit bureaus for similar violations, further demonstrating a pattern of noncompliance. These legal precedents reinforce the validity of my complaint : Experian Lawsuit ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : The CFPB filed a lawsuit against Experian for failing to properly investigate consumer disputes regarding credit report inaccuracies. The lawsuit alleged that Experian allowed erroneous information to reappear on reports, impacting consumers ' credit, employment, and housing access. The CFPB seeks to halt Experian 's misconduct, provide redress, and impose penalties. 
TransUnion Settlement ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : The CFPB, alongside the FTC, reached a {$15.00} XXXX settlement with TransUnion and its subsidiary, TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions , Inc., for failing to ensure the accuracy of tenant screening reports. The agency charged that TransUnions inaccuracy potentially hindered consumers ' ability to secure housing. TransUnion agreed to pay {$11.00} XXXX in restitution and a {$4.00} XXXX civil penalty and implement enhanced accuracy measures. 
Equifax Lawsuit ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : The CFPB filed a major lawsuit against Equifax for repeated violations of the FCRA and deceptive practices that misled consumers regarding credit report accuracy. The lawsuit highlighted that Equifax knowingly reported incorrect information, failed to correct disputes in a timely manner, and continued to allow erroneous reinsertion of previously deleted data without proper consumer notification. The CFPB is seeking financial penalties, injunctive relief, and systemic reforms to prevent future violations. 
These actions underscore the CFPBs commitment to enforcing the FCRA and ensuring that consumer reporting agencies uphold their obligations. My case mirrors these past violations, and I urge the CFPB to take similar action against Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. 
Fraudulent Accounts & Unauthorized Reinsertions Disputed Account Details and Demands XXXX XXXX XXXX Violations : FCRA 1681e ( b ), 1681i ( a ), 1681g, 1681s-2 ( b ), 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ), 1681c ( a ) FDCPA 1692g ( a ), 1692g ( b ), 1692e ( 8 ), 1692d GLBA 6801 ( b ), 6802 ( a ) Metro 2 formatting and accuracy violations Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act ( OCSPA ) R.C. 1345.02 ( A ) : Prohibits suppliers and furnishers from committing unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable acts or practices in connection with a consumer transaction, including furnishing credit information that is known or should be known to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable.

Ohio Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( OFDCPA ) R.C. 1349.72 : Incorporates many provisions of the federal FDCPA, prohibiting the collection or reporting of a debt known to be invalid or inaccurate, and forbidding any false representation of the character, amount, or legal status of a debt. 

I am formally disputing the reporting of the XXXX XXXX XXXX listed on my credit file, as it is inaccurate, unverifiable, and not being reported in compliance with federal law and Ohio consumer protection standards. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) specifically 602 ( A ) ( maximum accuracy ), 607 ( b ) ( reasonable procedures to assure accuracy ), and 611 ( a ) ( failure to provide proper reinvestigation procedures ) your agency is required to ensure that any information you report is fully accurate, complete, and verifiable. After contacting the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, I was informed that the court does not furnish bankruptcy records directly to credit reporting agencies, nor does it verify or confirm what you choose to publish. This means you can not legally claim this bankruptcy was verified through any automated third-party vendor ( such as XXXX XXXX, XXXX, or indirect data pull systems ), which constitutes a violation of FCRA 609 ( e ) and 611 ( a ) ( 2 ) ( B ) requiring you to obtain actual documentation from the original furnisher before reporting or verifying disputed public records. Additionally, reporting inconsistent dates across the bureaus ( e.g., differing filing, reporting, and reference numbers ) constitutes material inaccuracy in violation of FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ). Ohio consumer protection principles also prohibit the publication of inaccurate or unverified information that harms a consumers financial standing. Because you have failed to provide legally sufficient verification and are reporting conflicting data, you are required by FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) to immediately delete this bankruptcy from my credit file.

I am demanding full deletion of this bankruptcy from my credit report within 15 days, as you are currently reporting unverified, inaccurate, and noncourt-verified information in violation of multiple FCRA provisions. If you continue to report this unverified public record, I will escalate this matter by filing formal complaints with the CFPB, Ohio Attorney General, and consider civil action for willful noncompliance under FCRA 616 and 617, which entitles me to statutory damages, actual damages, attorneys fees, and punitive damages. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number:XXXX  Violations : FCRA 1681e ( b ), 1681i ( a ), 1681g, 1681s-2 ( b ), 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ), 1681c ( a ) FDCPA 1692g ( a ), 1692g ( b ), 1692e ( 8 ), 1692d GLBA 6801 ( b ), 6802 ( a ) Metro 2 formatting and accuracy violations Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act ( OCSPA ) R.C. 1345.02 ( A ) : Prohibits suppliers and furnishers from committing unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable acts or practices in connection with a consumer transaction, including furnishing credit information that is known or should be known to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable.

Ohio Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( OFDCPA ) R.C. 1349.72 : Incorporates many provisions of the federal FDCPA, prohibiting the collection or reporting of a debt known to be invalid or inaccurate, and forbidding any false representation of the character, amount, or legal status of a debt.

Demand : Immediate deletion and permanent removal of all late payments under FCRA 1681c-2, R.C. 1345.02 ( A ), R.C. 1345.03 ( A ), and R.C. 1349.73 due to reporting inaccuracies and multiple violations on this account. This account must be corrected immediately, flagged under Dispute Code 106 Late Payment History Dispute, ensuring activation of your structured automation logic for correction and deletion of unverifiable or incorrect late payment statuses. 
XXXX XXXX Account Number:XXXX Violations : FCRA 1681e ( b ), 1681i ( a ), 1681g, 1681s-2 ( b ), 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ), 1681c ( a ) FDCPA 1692g ( a ), 1692g ( b ), 1692e ( 8 ), 1692d GLBA 6801 ( b ), 6802 ( a ) Metro 2 formatting and accuracy violations Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act ( OCSPA ) R.C. 1345.02 ( A ) : Prohibits suppliers and furnishers from committing unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable acts or practices in connection with a consumer transaction, including furnishing credit information that is known or should be known to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable.

Ohio Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( OFDCPA ) R.C. 1349.72 : Incorporates many provisions of the federal FDCPA, prohibiting the collection or reporting of a debt known to be invalid or inaccurate, and forbidding any false representation of the character, amount, or legal status of a debt.

Demand : Immediate deletion and permanent removal of all late payments under FCRA 1681c-2, R.C. 1345.02 ( A ), R.C. 1345.03 ( A ), and R.C. 1349.73 due to reporting inaccuracies and multiple violations on this account. This account must be corrected immediately, flagged under Dispute Code 106 Late Payment History Dispute, ensuring activation of your structured automation logic for correction and deletion of unverifiable or incorrect late payment statuses.

Demands for Resolution Immediate Removal and Blockage : Remove and block all fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries from my credit file across all three bureaus.

Ensure that these accounts and inquiries are not reinserted without proper validation as required under 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ).

Written Confirmation : Provide written confirmation of the removal of these accounts and inquiries along with updated copies of my credit reports.

Thorough Investigation : Conduct a full investigation into how these fraudulent accounts and inquiries were recorded without my consent.

Provide findings in writing, including all requested verification details, such as contracts and signatures.

Compliance with Identity Theft Protections : Implement fraud alerts and provide me with identity theft resources as mandated under 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ).

The continued noncompliance by Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian has caused significant financial harm and distress. The reinsertion of fraudulent accounts and inquiries without proper validation exacerbates these violations. Given the CFPBs history of legal action against these credit bureaus for similar misconduct, I urge immediate enforcement action to ensure compliance with federal law and provide appropriate remedies under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o for willful and negligent violations.

Your intervention is necessary to ensure these Bureaus are held accountable and that my credit report is permanently corrected.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief