Consumer complaint received 2025-06-10 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Texas XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Social Security number XXXX DOB : XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Re : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account ( Acct # XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Disputed credit reporting To Whom It May Concern : I am writing to lodge a formal complaint regarding a collection account reported by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX on my credit reports. This account ( originally XXXX XXXX XXXX account number XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) was opened around XX/XX/XXXX, with a current reported balance of {$2000.00}. It is being reported as a collection on my XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX  reports as of XX/XX/XXXX. I dispute the legitimacy and accuracy of this account and believe XXXX reporting violates federal law. First, the balance being reported ( {$2000.00} ) is grossly inflated and inaccurate. My records indicate the original credit limit on the XXXX card was {$1400.00}, yet XXXX is reporting a much higher balance, likely due to added interest or fees. This inflated amount has never been validated with any documentation. Reporting a balance that exceeds the original debt without proof is misleading and constitutes a false representation of the debts character and amount ftc.gov. XXXX has failed to provide any breakdown or verification to justify this amount, despite my disputes. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), information on a credit report must be accurate and verifiable, and any information that can not be verified must be deleted consumerfinance.gov files.consumerfinance.gov. XXXX continued reporting of this unverified, inflated balance shows a blatant disregard for the FCRAs accuracy requirements. Second, I have never received proper validation of this debt from XXXX. I requested debt validation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) in writing ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ), yet XXXX did not cease collection or provide the required verification. Instead, they persisted in reporting this account each month, which is illegal. The FDCPA explicitly prohibits a debt collector from continuing collection activities without first validating the debt upon request ftc.gov. XXXX failure to produce any evidence that I owe this debt, while continuing to report it as a derogatory item, is a direct violation of FDCPA and my consumer rights. This account is unverifiable in its current state XXXX has not proven that I am the legitimate debtor or that the amount is correct. Third, I want to note that I disputed this account with the credit bureaus, and it is marked as disputed on at least one bureau. However, XXXX failed to properly investigate and correct the errors. The account remains, with the same inflated balance and no indication of any proof. By verifying the account without actual documentation, XXXX and the bureaus have violated FCRA Section 611, which requires a reasonable investigation and removal of information that can not be verified. The FCRA also holds data furnishers like XXXX responsible under Section 623 to report only accurate information and to correct or delete information if it is found to be inaccurate or incomplete. XXXX  lack of response to my dispute and its continued reporting of suspect information demonstrate a willful neglect of these obligations. In summary, XXXX XXXX XXXX is reporting a collection account that is inaccurate, unverified, and legally unenforceable. This harms me every day it remains on my credit file. I am requesting the CFPBs assistance to investigate and enforce the law in this matter. XXXX should be compelled to provide proof of the debts validity and amount or, failing that, delete this account permanently from all consumer credit bureaus. Their current conduct reporting an unverified, inflated debt violates the FCRAs mandate for maximum possible accuracy and the FDCPAs prohibitions on false and unfair collection practices. Requested Resolution : I ask that the CFPB require XXXX XXXX XXXX to delete the Account # XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX from my XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX credit reports immediately XXXX XXXX XXXXue to the aforementioned FCRA and FDCPA violations. Additionally, I request a formal investigation into XXXX collection and reporting activities, and that appropriate regulatory action be taken to prevent this kind of consumer harm. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Account # XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX ) Re : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account ( Acct XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Disputed debt and FCRA/FDCPA violations To Whom It XXXX Concern : I am filing an official complaint regarding another collection account reported by XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX This account was originally opened around XX/XX/XXXX and is tied to a XXXX XXXX XXXX credit card ( account number XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. The current reported balance is {$600.00}, and it appears on my Equifax, XXXX XXXX XXXX  credit reports as a collection account. I dispute this account in its entirety and assert that XXXX reporting and collection of this debt are rife with legal violations. First, this debt is unverified and of questionable ownership. I have no recollection of ever incurring a {$600.00} debt with XXXX XXXX, and XXXX has provided absolutely no evidence to substantiate that I am responsible for this account. I demanded validation from XXXX XXXX XXXX via written correspondence in early XXXX, as is my right under the FDCPA. To date, XXXX has failed to produce any validation no signed contract, no account statements, not even basic account records linking me to this debt. According to the FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ), if a consumer disputes a debt or requests validation, the collector must cease collection and verify the debt before taking further action ftc.gov. XXXX ignored this requirement. They continued reporting the account to credit bureaus and attempting collection without ever mailing me the requested verification. This is an improper collection activity without debt validation, a clear violation of my FDCPA rights. Second, XXXX reporting of this account violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act because the information is not verifiable or accurate. The FCRA requires that any information on a credit report be complete, accurate, and capable of being verified. If the information can not be verified, it must be removed consumerfinance.gov. In this case, XXXX can not verify the debt they have no proof of my liability yet they continue to report it as a valid collection. This account is effectively unverifiable, and by law it should not be on my credit report at all. I also believe the account details are incomplete. For instance, the credit reports do not clearly show the date of first delinquency or any itemization of the {$600.00} balance. Such omissions make it impossible to determine if the debt is within the allowable reporting period or if the amount includes unauthorized fees. In short, XXXX has not met its burden under FCRA to ensure maximum possible accuracy. The presence of an unverified collection account is causing significant damage to my creditworthiness and is fundamentally unfair. Third, I previously disputed this collection with the credit bureaus ( XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) in an effort to have it investigated. XXXX responded to the bureaus investigations by allegedly verifying the debt, yet they provided me with no documentation or evidence during that process. It appears XXXX simply affirmed the debt as valid without conducting a reasonable investigation. This perfunctory verification violates FCRA Section 611, which obligates furnishers to investigate disputes thoroughly and delete information that can not be verified. Moreover, XXXX did not mark the account as disputed by consumer on all my credit reports, which it is required to do once I notified them of my dispute. Under FDCPA Section 807 ( 8 ), its a deceptive practice for a debt collector to report credit information that is known to be false, including failing to communicate that a debt is disputed ftc.gov. XXXX omission of the dispute notation further demonstrates their negligent and deceptive approach to credit reporting. In summary, XXXX XXXX XXXX is attempting to collect and report a debt that I do not recognize and which they have not validated. This is both unprofessional and unlawful. The account information is unverified, incomplete, and thus in violation of FCRAs accuracy standards and FDCPAs validation requirements. I respectfully request the CFPBs intervention to correct this situation. Requested Relief : I ask that the CFPB direct XXXX to immediately and permanently delete the Account # XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX from all credit bureaus XXXX XXXX since they have not demonstrated any legitimate basis for reporting it. Furthermore, I request that CFPB investigate XXXX XXXX XXXX for their collection practices in this case, including their failure to validate the debt and their improper credit reporting. No consumer should be subjected to a collection entry that the collector can not even prove is real. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Original Creditor XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Re : XXXX XXXX XXXX collection ( Acct # XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Dispute of inaccurate debt reporting To Whom It May Concern : I am submitting a complaint regarding a collection account handled by XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX ( XXXX ), appearing on my credit reports. The account number is XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ( partial ), opened on or about XX/XX/XXXX, with a current balance of {$460.00}. The original creditor is listed as XXXX XXXX, XXXX. This account is reported on my XXXX XXXX XXXX credit files as a collection account. I firmly dispute the accuracy and legitimacy of this debt and believe XXXX reporting and collection actions are violating my consumer rights. First, the information XXXX XXXX XXXX is reporting is incomplete and potentially inaccurate, in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). The tradeline does not contain sufficient detail to verify the debt. For example, the balance of {$460.00} is not explained or itemized I have not been provided any statement showing how this amount was calculated or if it includes any interest or fees post-charge-off. I am concerned that the status or balance may be incorrect, yet XXXX has not corrected it. Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies must correct or delete information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable files.consumerfinance.gov. In this case, the XXXX account information falls into those categories. I have never seen a single piece of evidence ( such as a signed agreement or billing statements from XXXX XXXX ) that definitively proves this {$460.00} debt is mine and reported correctly. Without such verification, the continued presence of this collection on my credit report is unjustified. It is unverifiable and thus should be removed per federal law. Second, XXXX XXXX XXXX has not provided proper debt validation or documentation to me, despite this debt being under collection. I became aware of the XXXX collection on my credit report, but I do not recall receiving a clear validation notice by mail. To resolve my doubts, I mailed a debt validation request to XXXX XXXX XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX, asking for proof that I owe this debt ( e.g. the original account agreement and an account statement ). XXXX did not respond with any validation documents. According to the FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ), a debt collector must provide verification of the debt upon a consumers request and must cease collection efforts until that verification is provided ftc.gov. XXXX silence and continued reporting indicate a disregard for this law. They continued to report the collection account to the credit bureaus without ever substantiating the debt when asked an improper collection practice. Furthermore, since I disputed the debt, any continued reporting should have been marked as disputed. XXXX failed to mark the account as disputed on my credit report, which is a deceptive practice under FDCPA 807 ( 8 ) ftc.gov. This omission makes it look as if I accept the debt, which is false and damaging. Third, I want to highlight that the timeline and handling of this account raise concerns under the CFPBs own debt collection rules. The collection was opened in XX/XX/XXXX, but I only noticed it on my credit reports later. If XXXX reported this debt to the bureaus before properly contacting me, that would violate the CFPBs Regulation F. Debt collectors must notify a consumer about a debt and wait a reasonable period ( usually 14 days ) before reporting to credit bureaus consumerfinance.gov. In my case, I have no record of XXXX speaking with me or sending a letter that I actually received prior to seeing the item on my reports. If they sent a notice, I did not get it, and they apparently did not confirm receipt before reporting. Reporting a collection without ensuring I was notified is an unfair practice and contravenes the spirit of the CFPBs guidelines and the FDCPAs requirements for fair notification. In summary, XXXX XXXX XXXX is reporting a collection that lacks verification and contains possible inaccuracies. XXXX has not validated the debt nor ensured the information is correct or fairly presented. This situation has caused significant distress, as my credit score is being impacted by an entry that I can not even confirm as legitimate. I am requesting the CFPBs assistance to put an end to this. Requested Action : I urge the CFPB to compel XXXX XXXX XXXX to remove the Account # XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX from all of my credit reports XXXX XXXX due to their failure to verify its accuracy and their failure to adhere to federal collection laws. At minimum, XXXX should be required to provide full validation of the debt ( original contract, account statements, proof of ownership of the debt, etc. ) if they wish to continue reporting it. If they can not promptly provide irrefutable proof, the only lawful and fair outcome is to delete this collection account entirely. I also ask that CFPB review XXXX conduct in this case for compliance with the FCRA and FDCPA, and take appropriate enforcement action if violations are found. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX Account XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, Store Credit Card ) Re : XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ( Acct # XXXX ) Charged-off account reporting dispute To Whom It May Concern : I am writing to file a complaint against XXXXXXXX XXXX regarding the reporting of a charged-off XXXX store credit card account ( account number ending in * XXXX ) on my credit reports. This account was opened in or around XX/XX/XXXX and was charged off around late XXXX with an original charge-off balance of approximately {$2000.00}. Currently, the credit bureaus list the account as Closed Charged Off with a {$0.00} balance ( reflecting that the debt was sold or transferred ). It appears on my XXXX Equifax, and XXXX  reports as a negative item. I believe XXXX continued reporting of this account is incomplete, misleading, and in violation of the FCRA, and I am requesting that it be removed. First, the information XXXXXXXX XXXX is reporting about this account is incomplete and potentially inaccurate, thereby violating my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. After the charge-off, XXXX sold or transferred the debt to a collection agency ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX as evidenced by a XXXX collection entry for this same account ). However, XXXX tradeline on my credit report does not clearly indicate the transfer or the fact that I no longer owe any balance to XXXX. The only indication is a {$0.00} balance and a status of Charge Off, which is not enough to fully inform creditors that the debt was sold. This lack of clarity is misleading. It effectively results in double reporting of the same debt once by XXXX  ( as a charge-off ) and again by XXXX ( as a collection ) which unfairly penalizes me twice for one obligation. While technically original creditors and collectors can both report, the combination of these entries is painting an excessively negative picture that is not wholly accurate. XXXX entry still shows the debt as a serious derogatory mark even though XXXX has no remaining interest in it. I contend that this is not maximum possible accuracy as required by the FCRA. Second, the account information is not verifiable or up-to-date, which means it should be deleted. I have disputed this account directly with XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX ) and through the credit bureaus, on the grounds that XXXX no longer possesses the account ( having sold it ) and thus can not verify its details. In response, XXXX did not provide any substantive verification. They have not produced any original account documents or clarifications ; the credit bureaus simply left the charge-off in place. The FCRA states that if information is disputed and the furnisher can not verify its accuracy, that information must be corrected or removed from the credit report files.consumerfinance.gov. Given that XXXX XXXX no longer owns the debt, it is doubtful they retained the full documentation or incentive to investigate thoroughly. The lack of response to my dispute indicates that the accuracy of this tradeline can not be confirmed. Additionally, certain details on the account may be outdated. The Date of First Delinquency was XX/XX/XXXX, yet Ive noticed some reports list a later major delinquency reported date ( possibly due to the charge-off in XX/XX/XXXX ). I want to ensure XXXX reported the true original delinquency date to the bureaus. If they failed to do so, that is an FCRA violation as well. ( Any re-aging of the delinquency date to keep the account on reports longer would be illegal ). In summary, XXXX charge-off entry is unverified and outdated information that should no longer be on my reports. Third, it is fundamentally unfair and against the intent of the FCRAs obsolescence rules for this charged-off account to linger on my credit file given the circumstances. The FCRA generally limits negative information to a 7-year reporting period files.consumerfinance.gov. While this account is about 4 years old since the delinquency ( so still within the timeframe ), I want to emphasize that I am suffering ongoing harm from an account that has been resolved in the sense that XXXX closed it and sold it off. XXXX XXXX washed its hands of this debt when it sold it, yet I continue to be punished by the mark on my credit. The spirit of the law is to allow consumers to move on after a reasonable period. In this case, removal of the XXXX tradeline would not cause XXXX any loss ( they no longer have stake in the debt ) but would greatly help my credit rebuild. I respectfully assert that leaving this mark through XXXX does not serve a fair purpose it is simply punitive. Moreover, as mentioned, the existence of the XXXX collection for the same account means the debts impact is duplicative. It is neither accurate nor fair for both to remain if one can be removed. For these reasons, I am requesting the CFPBs assistance to address XXXXXXXX XXXX reporting of the XXXX account. XXXX  has not provided verification of the debts accuracy and has left an incomplete, duplicative derogatory item on my reports. This does not comply with FCRA requirements for accuracy and verifiability. Requested Resolution : I ask that the CFPB instruct XXXXXXXX XXXX to XXXX  permanently delete the XXXX account ( Acct # XXXX ) from all consumer credit reporting agencies. This deletion is warranted due to the lack of verification and the fact that the debt has been transferred. I also request that CFPB ensure XXXX updates any of its reporting practices so that when debts are sold, the trade lines are either not reported as negatives or are clearly notated and removed once the transferee is reporting. At a minimum, if outright deletion is not immediately ordered, XXXX should mark the account as disputed and investigate my claims thoroughly. However, given the circumstances, I firmly believe deletion is the proper and just outcome. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX, Store Credit Card ) XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) Dispute of charged-off account reporting To Whom It May Concern : I am filing a complaint regarding a charged-off XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX card issued by XXXX XXXX ( account number ending in XXXX XXXX ) that is being reported on my credit reports. This account was opened in XX/XX/XXXX and charged off in XXXX. The charge-off amount was {$600.00}, and the account is currently listed on my XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX reports as a closed, charged-off account with a {$0.00} balance ( indicating the debt was sold or assigned to a collection agency ). I assert that XXXX  reporting of this account is inaccurate and unlawful under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and I am seeking the CFPBs assistance to have this matter corrected through deletion of the tradeline. First, the reported information on this account is not being kept accurate or up-to-date by XXXXXXXX XXXX, especially given that the debt has been transferred to a third-party collector. Once XXXX  charged off the account and sold the debt ( likely to XXXX XXXX XXXX, which is now reporting a collection for this same {$600.00} )XXXX XXXX should have updated the tradeline to reflect that transfer and then ceased updating it with derogatory information. The credit reports do show a XXXX balance, but they continue to list the account as a charge-off each month up until it was last reported. The presence of this account as a negative mark is duplicative, since the debt now also appears as a collection account under XXXX. It is unfair and misleading for both the original and collection accounts to coexist on my report for the same debt. Creditors viewing my report see two major derogatories ( a charge-off and a collection ) for what is essentially one financial obligation. This double whammy exaggerates the impact on my credit score and creditworthiness. I believe this runs counter to the FCRAs goal of fair and relevant credit reporting. Second, XXXXXXXX XXXX has failed to ensure the accuracy and verifiability of this accounts information, as required by law. I disputed the XXXX XXXX account with XXXX via a direct written dispute ( sent in XX/XX/XXXX ) and also through XXXX In my dispute, I pointed out that I do not believe XXXX has retained proper documentation for the account, such as original charge slips or a signed credit agreement, especially since the debt was sold. I also noted a discrepancy : the cards credit limit was only {$300.00}, yet XXXX allowed the balance to grow to {$600.00} by the time of charge-off ( implying significant fees or interest were added ). I asked XXXX to verify the accuracy of the balance and provide documentation of how that balance was derived. XXXX did not provide any substantive response or proof. They simply let the tradeline remain. Under the FCRA, if a consumer disputes an item, the furnisher ( XXXX  ) must conduct a reasonable investigation and remove any information it can not verify as accurate files.consumerfinance.gov. XXXX lack of response indicates that they did not verify the debts accuracy because they likely can not. The continued reporting of an unverified charge-off account is a violation of FCRA Section 623. It is unacceptable that this account remains, damaging my credit, when XXXX has not proven that the information ( amount owed, dates, etc. ) is correct and complete. Third, given that this account was charged off nearly four years ago, it is approaching the point where it would become obsolete negative information under the FCRAs 7-year rule. While it is not yet past the 7-year mark, I want to highlight that this accounts negative impact is diminishing any value in keeping it on record. The accounts Date of First Delinquency was XX/XX/XXXX, so it is scheduled to continue on record until XXXX. However, because the debt was sold and is being handled by another company, the XXXX entry is essentially static, historical data that serves little purpose except to punish me. XXXX has no ongoing relationship with me. Removing this tradeline now, as part of a goodwill gesture or due to the verification issues noted, would cause no harm to XXXX but would significantly help my credit profile reflect my current obligations more accurately ( since Im now dealing with the collection agency ). I believe the CFPB should consider that leaving duplicate negative entries is not in line with the spirit of fair credit reporting, which aims to report only what is necessary and correct. In summary, XXXXXXXX XXXX reporting of the charged-off XXXX XXXX account is neither accurate nor fair. They have not verified the debt, yet keep it on my file ; they have effectively double-reported the debt alongside a collection agency ; and the continued presence of this outdated negative item is doing undue harm. I am requesting the CFPBs assistance to resolve these issues. Requested Resolution : I ask that the CFPB have XXXXXXXX XXXX  * permanently delete the XXXX XXXX account ( Acct # XXXX ) from all credit bureaus. This deletion is justified on the grounds that the information is unverified/inaccurate and that its duplicative of the collection account. If XXXX believes the information is correct, I invite them to produce complete documentation ( original signed application, full payment history, accounting of the balance, etc. ) and prove it otherwise, the law says it should be removed. I also request that the CFPB ensure XXXX improves its processes for handling sold accounts to prevent consumer credit reports from being unnecessarily tarnished by redundant negative entries. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am confident that the CFPBs intervention can help correct this issue and protect my rights under the FCRA

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief