Consumer complaint received 2025-11-05 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: PA

Complaint narrative:
I am writing to submit a complaint regarding the practices of Experian Information Solutions , Inc. ( Experian ) in connection with inaccurate and/or inappropriate reporting of a child support account that appears on my personal credit file ( in XXXX, Pennsylvania ) XXXX I believe this reporting violates my rights under the federal consumerreporting statutes and constitutes unfair or inaccurate reporting. Below are the details. 

XXXX. Summary of the Issue I have an alleged childsupport account # XXXX ( related to the child support obligation in XXXX ) that is being reported on my credit report, via Experian ( or appears through Experian ). 

I never signed a contract or agreed to have this account reported on my credit report. 

I dispute the legitimacy of the accounts reporting. I have previously filed disputes with Experian and/or the furnisher, yet the response I received was simply verified, which I assert is factually and legally incorrect. 

I contend that child support obligations should not be reported in the manner they are here ( or at all ) under the particular facts in my case and that the furnisher/credit bureau failed to properly investigate my dispute under the law. 

Because of this reporting, I have been harmed : for example, I have been denied or delayed credit, or incurred higher interest, or the reporting is adversely affecting my credit profile. ( Describe your specific harm as applicable. ) XXXX. Legal and regulatory basis for my complaint Here are some of the legal authorities I rely upon : a. Federal statute : Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15U.S.C. 1681 etseq.

The FCRA requires consumerreporting agencies ( CRAs ) and furnishers of information to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information they report.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau +1 Under 1681i ( a ), a CRA must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation when a consumer disputes information in their file.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau +1 Under 1681s2 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ( E ), when a furnisher receives notice of a dispute from a CRA of the accuracy or completeness of any information it has provided, the furnisher must : ( A ) conduct an investigation, ( B ) review all relevant information provided by the CRA, ( C ) report results to the CRA, ( D ) if inaccurate or can not be verified, modify, delete or block the information. See e.g. case law summary. 
Federal Trade Commission XXXX The CFPB has stated that furnishers have an obligation to investigate consumer disputes. 
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX law : For example, in the Fourth Circuits recent ruling, the court held that a furnisher is obligated to conduct a reasonable investigation of disputed information whether the nature of the dispute is factual or legal in nature. 
XXXX XXXX Another example : The XXXX XXXX in XXXX found that a mere dataconformity review was inadequate. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX b. Reporting of Child Support to Credit Bureaus Federal and state law permit ( and sometimes require ) reporting of delinquent child support arrears to credit bureaus under some conditions. For instance, for balances over {$1000.00} in many states. 
nolo.com XXXX However, there is no blanket requirement ( nor always a blanket allowance ) for reporting all child support obligations. For example, the XXXX XXXX. of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX memo states : No Federal law restricts the reporting of child support obligors to credit bureaus whether current or in arrears. 
XXXX for XXXX and XXXX Some state laws place specific conditions or procedures ( for example, in California, the local child support agency must provide notice and allow XXXX  days to contest before reporting ). 


Because of this, if you never fell into the required category ( e.g., legitimately delinquent above the threshold, proper notice given, etc. ), then the reporting may be improper under the facts. 

XXXX Credit Dispute Rights Consumers have the right to dispute information and request correction. The CFPBs guide explains you should explain in writing what you think is wrong, why, and include copies of documents that support your dispute. 
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX CRAs must handle disputes and investigate. If the furnisher fails to investigate reasonably, they can be liable. ( See above 1681s2 ( b ). ) XXXX. Application to my situation/ violations claimed Based on the above, I assert the following : I never entered into a contract or otherwise agreed to the reporting of this child support account on my credit file ; if the account is being reported, it is being reported without my authorization or proper procedural basis. 

The account is being reported by Experian ( or via information furnished to Experian ) as a creditfile entry. I dispute the correctness of this account in several respects ( e.g., the amount, status, date, whether I am actually the obligor, or whether it meets the reporting requirements ). 

I disputed this account ( with Experian and/or the furnisher ) and submitted documentation ( or requested verification ), yet the response was merely verified. I contend that this verification was unreasonable i.e., the furnisher did not conduct a meaningful investigation of my dispute ( violating 1681s2 ( b ) ).

Because the account may not meet the legal criteria for reporting ( for example, if it was not delinquent above threshold, or proper notice was not given, or the account itself is inaccurate or belongs to someone else ), the reporting is inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading, and so it violates the accuracy requirement of FCRA. 

As a result of this inaccurate/incomplete reporting, I have been harmed ( for example, credit denied, higher interest rates, inability to obtain housing/loan, emotional distress, etc. ). 

I request that the CFPB investigate Experians practices ( and the furnishers practices ) and hold them accountable for failing to comply with FCRA and any applicable consumerreporting obligations. 

XXXX. Requested Relief I respectfully request that the CFPB : Investigate my complaint and flag Experian ( and the furnisher ) for their reporting/verification practices in this matter. 

removal of this child support entry from my credit file if it is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, not verifiable, or improperly reported. 

Require the furnisher to conduct a proper, reasonable investigation as required by 1681s2 ( b ) and to report the results to all CRAs. 

Require the furnisher and/or Experian to provide me with a written notice of the results of their investigation. 

Require any credit grantors, or relevant parties, to be notified of corrections made ( if applicable ). 

Provide me with confirmation in writing that the item has been corrected, removed, or otherwise appropriately handled. 

In addition, I ask that the CFPB consider whether enforcement action is appropriate to deter future similar violations by other furnishers or CRAs.

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