Consumer complaint received 2025-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint against Equifax for reporting multiple inaccurate and unauthorized items on my credit report, which are causing significant and ongoing harm to my financial profile. I have previously attempted to dispute these items directly with the credit bureau, but they continue to appear without proper investigation or verification. These errors violate several sections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and have resulted in damage to my creditworthiness and personal stress. 

First, XXXX ( Account Number : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX, Balance : {$17000.00} ) * * is showing a late payment that is entirely incorrect. I had auto-pay set up on this account and at no time was I notified of a payment failure. Upon reviewing my banking records and payment history, I found no evidence of a late or missed payment. Despite raising a dispute, Equifax failed to provide any supporting documents such as billing statements or transaction logs to verify the accuracy of this negative mark. This is a violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ), which requires credit reporting agencies to maintain maximum possible accuracy, and 15 U.S.C. 1681i, which mandates proper reinvestigation procedures for disputed information. 

Second, XXXX XXXX ( Account Number : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX, Balance : {$6800.00} ) * * is also inaccurately marked with a late payment. This is another account I consistently managed responsibly. No proper notice of delinquency was ever sent to me, and again, no verification has been provided. This repeated pattern of unverifiable derogatory marks reflects a systemic failure to comply with FCRA standards. The presence of these errors is misleading to lenders and unjustly reduces my credit score, further preventing me from obtaining credit on fair terms. 

Another serious concern involves XXXX  ( Account Number : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX, Balance : {$0.00} ) * *, which is reported as a charge-off despite showing a XXXX balance. This is highly contradictory. If the account was charged off, a balance should remain. If the balance is paid or resolved, the charge-off notation should not be present. The reporting of both at once creates a misleading narrative about my payment history. I requested clarification or documentation from both XXXX and Equifax, but no information was provided. Reporting conflicting information violates the standard of accuracy required under 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ). 

Additionally, there are multiple unauthorized hard inquiries that appear on my credit report, all dated XX/XX/XXXX. These inquiries come from : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ( which appears twice ), XXXX XXXX XXXX, and XXXX. I did not authorize or initiate any credit applications with these entities on or near that date. I have no relationship with some of them and did not consent to have my credit pulled. According to 15 U.S.C. 1681b, a credit report may only be accessed for a permissible purpose and with the consumers knowledge or consent. These hard inquiries were made without any signed application, authorization, or legitimate financial interaction. My disputes requesting proof of permissible purpose were ignored or dismissed, and the inquiries remain on my file, causing an unjustified reduction in my credit score. 

It is unacceptable that Equifax continues to report these items without ensuring compliance with FCRA requirements. I have made every effort to correct these issues directly, yet they persist with no valid documentation, no permissible purpose, and no meaningful investigation. The result is significant damage to my credit profile and financial opportunities. 

Requested Resolution : I am requesting that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) require Equifax to : Delete the inaccurate late payment notations from XXXX and XXXX XXXX unless they can be fully verified with original billing statements. 

Remove the charge-off notation from the XXXX  account if no balance exists or provide clear documentation if the reporting is valid. 

Delete all unauthorized inquiries dated XX/XX/XXXX, from XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ( both entries ), XXXX XXXX XXXX, and XXXX  unless a signed application or legal authorization can be produced. 

These items are not only harming my score but also reflecting a pattern of non-compliance and neglect of consumer rights. I respectfully ask for the CFPB 's intervention in ensuring the accuracy, fairness, and legality of the data Equifax continues to publish on my credit report. 

Thank you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief