Consumer complaint received 2025-09-03 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint against furnishers, debt collectors, and credit reporting agencies for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ). My credit file is reporting inaccurate collections and excessive, unauthorized inquiries that are damaging my financial life and reputation.

Wrong and Inaccurate Addresses Reported The following addresses are false, unverifiable, and do not belong to me. Their presence creates a high risk of mixed file reporting and fraudulent association. Under FCRA 609 ( a ) and FCRA 611, I have the right to request and demand deletion of inaccurate personal identifying information. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Story & Harm : These addresses do not belong to me, and their presence on my report makes it look as though I have lived in multiple locations I never resided at. This has resulted in suspicion of fraud when applying for housing, car loans, and employment background checks. I was denied a rental property because the landlord questioned why so many unrelated addresses appeared under my credit file. This is humiliating, damaging, and in direct violation of FCRA 607 ( b ) which requires maximum possible accuracy. 
XXXX  XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed : {$0.00} Late Payment * * Issue & Law : Reporting late payments on an account that has a {$0.00} balance is inaccurate, misleading, and unlawful. Under FCRA 605 ( a ) ( 5 ), obsolete negative information can not be reported beyond the permitted period. Under FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), furnishers must not furnish information they know or should know is inaccurate. Reporting lates on a closed account with no financial obligation is reckless.

Story & Harm : I paid this account off completely, yet late payments are being reported after closure. This makes me appear irresponsible to lenders even though I fulfilled my obligation. I recently applied for a small credit card to rebuild my score and was denied because of these false late payment notations. It is unfair that my financial reputation continues to suffer because of information that should not even exist. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed : {$16000.00} Charge Off * * Issue & Law : This account is listed as a charge-off with a large balance, yet XXXX has not provided validation of the debt. Under FDCPA 809 ( b ), I have the right to request validation, and until proper validation is provided, the reporting of this account violates federal law. Under FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 3 ), furnishers must correct and update information that is incomplete or inaccurate. Failure to provide chain of title, contract, or payment history means this debt is unverifiable.

Story & Harm : This charge-off has had devastating financial consequences for me. I attempted to refinance my car, but was denied due to this account reporting inaccurately. I also suffered embarrassment when an insurance company used this charge-off as part of my credit-based insurance score, leading to higher premiums. This is unjust and directly tied to XXXX failure to maintain accurate reporting. 
XXXX  XXXX * Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed : {$5300.00} Collection * * Issue & Law : XXXX XXXX is reporting a collection without providing proper validation. XXXX is a debt buyer, and debt buyers are notorious for purchasing incomplete portfolios without full documentation. Under FDCPA 807 ( 8 ) it is unlawful to communicate credit information known to be false. Under FCRA 611, once an account is disputed, the furnisher must conduct a reasonable investigation. Simply verifying through electronic matching is not sufficient ; documentation must be provided.

Story & Harm : This collection is not only inaccurate but has also destroyed my chances of obtaining fair credit. I was turned down for a personal loan and a home rental because XXXX reported me as delinquent for a debt they can not even prove belongs to me. The stress of this account has caused emotional hardship, sleepless nights, and damaged my ability to move forward financially. I even received harassing phone calls tied to this account, which violates FDCPA 806 ( 5 ) regarding harassment and abuse. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Balance Owed : {$2000.00} Collection * * Issue & Law : This collection account is unverifiable and has been placed without my consent. Under FDCPA 807 ( 8 ), it is unlawful to report false or unverified information to a credit bureau. Under FCRA 607 ( b ), credit reporting agencies must ensure maximum possible accuracy.

Story & Harm : Because of this collection, I was denied approval for a rental property and had to pay higher security deposits. This is unfair, damaging, and unlawful. I demand full deletion unless XXXX can provide written contracts and proof of debt ownership. 
Disputed Inquiries The following inquiries are appearing on my credit file. Many were made without my authorization, excessive in number, or conducted in a way that violates my rights under FCRA 604 ( a ) ( 3 ), which requires a permissible purpose for all inquiries. Unauthorized or excessive inquiries damage my credit score and create the false appearance of credit desperation. 
XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Inquiry XXXX  XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Inquiry XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Inquiry My Damages Because of these false collections and unauthorized inquiries, I have suffered : Denial of credit and auto loans Higher interest rates and insurance premiums Loss of housing opportunities Emotional distress, anxiety, and humiliation during financial applications These actions constitute willful violations under FCRA 616 and negligent violations under FCRA 617, entitling me to remedies. 
Requested Relief XXXX. Permanent deletion of the XXXX and XXXX XXXX  accounts unless full validation is provided. 
XXXX. Removal of all unauthorized and excessive inquiries listed above. 
XXXX. Enforcement action against furnishers and reporting agencies for failure to comply with federal law. 
XXXX. Compensation for damages caused by negligent and willful violations. 
Conclusion I respectfully request the CFPB to investigate these violations and enforce compliance. These are not small mistakes but serious breaches of federal law that continue to harm me financially and emotionally. Immediate action is required to restore the integrity of my credit report.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief