Consumer complaint received 2025-08-15 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB Investigator, I am submitting this formal complaint against [ Credit Bureau Name ] and certain furnishers of information for reporting, maintaining, and failing to correct multiple inaccurate and unauthorized entries on my credit file in direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). 
These inaccuracies have caused measurable harm, including reduced credit scores, higher interest rates, denial of credit opportunities, and reputational damage. The credit bureau has failed in its obligations to maintain maximum possible accuracy ( 1681e ( b ) ) and to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed items ( 1681i ). Several furnishers have also violated their duty under 1681s-2 ( a ) to avoid reporting information they know or should know is inaccurate. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX Address Issue : Erroneous entry. 
Law : FCRA 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ). 
Story : I have never lived at this address, and its presence on my file is likely the result of inaccurate data sharing between creditors. This can lead to further false linkages to debts or legal actions unrelated to me. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Address Issue : Fraudulent linkage. 
Law : FCRA 1681b and 1681e ( b ).

Story : This is an address from a completely different state and region that has no connection to my history. Having it appear on my file exposes me to unnecessary fraud risks and complicates my ability to pass routine credit and background checks. 
XXXX Account # XXXX High Balance : {$1300.00} Late Payment Issue : Payment history inaccurately reported as late. 
Law : FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ) prohibits furnishing information known to be inaccurate. 
Story : I maintain meticulous payment records, and they show that my payments were made on time. This false late payment entry paints me as an unreliable borrower, causing interest rate increases and loan denials. The harm is measurable my score has dropped, and I was recently denied an auto refinance offer as a direct result. 
XXXX Account # XXXX * High Balance : {$770.00} Late Payment * * Issue : False late payment reporting. 
Law : FCRA 1681e ( b ) and 1681i require accuracy and reinvestigation. 
Story : I have documentation showing I was never late on this account. Yet, because of this inaccuracy, I was offered a credit card with a {$500.00} limit instead of the {$5000.00} I qualified for based on my income, solely because my credit profile shows a late payment that never occurred. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX High Balance : {$42000.00} Late Payment * * Issue : Inaccurate delinquency. 
Law : FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ) requires furnishers to correct and update inaccurate data.

Story : This entry shows a delinquency that never happened. I have proof of payments, but your system continues to show me as late. This has prevented me from being approved for a mortgage with competitive rates, costing me thousands in potential interest savings. 
XXXX Account # XXXX XXXX XXXX : {$14000.00} Charge-off * * Issue : XXXX marked as charged-off in error. 
Law : FCRA 1681i mandates prompt correction or deletion. 
Story : I never defaulted on this account, and I was never provided any official charge-off notice. This entry is not only false but also extremely damaging, as charge-offs are one of the most severe derogatory marks a person can have. 
XXXX Account # XXXX * XXXX XXXX : {$2300.00} Collection * * Issue : Debt is not mine.

Law : FDCPA 807 ( 8 ) prohibits reporting false credit information. 
Story : I have no knowledge of this debt, and it is not associated with any account I have opened. This is likely a case of mistaken identity or fraudulent account creation. 
XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX : Unauthorized hard inquiry.

Law : FCRA 1681b ( a ) limits inquiries to those with permissible purpose. 
Story : I did not apply for credit with this company on this date, making this an unauthorized credit pull that lowered my score without my consent. 
XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX : Unpermitted credit pull. 
Law : FCRA 604 ( a ) requires permissible purpose. 
Story : No credit application was made to this company, yet they accessed my file, violating my privacy. 
XXXX, XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Inquiries Issue : Multiple unauthorized credit checks. 
Law : FCRA 604 ( a ) & 616 for willful noncompliance. 
Story : None of these companies had my permission to pull my credit. The result has been multiple hard inquiries that falsely make it appear as if I am aggressively seeking credit, which lowers my score and makes me appear financially desperate. 
Requested Resolution I request the CFPB to : XXXX. Compel the credit bureau to delete all inaccurate addresses, account entries, and unauthorized inquiries listed above. 
XXXX. Direct the furnishers to provide documented proof of accuracy or immediately retract their reporting. 
XXXX. Ensure all violations are documented for potential legal action under FCRA 616 and 617. 
XXXX. Require a corrected credit report to be sent to me and all recent recipients of the inaccurate report. 
Conclusion The ongoing reporting of false, unverifiable, and unauthorized information on my credit file has caused significant financial and personal harm. I urge the CFPB to take immediate action to enforce compliance with federal law and restore the integrity of my credit history.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief