Consumer complaint received 2025-01-21 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: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MS

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint against Preferred Credit for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) by failing to accurately report and correct information regarding an account on my credit reports, despite multiple disputes beginning in 2023. XXXX XXXX has reported the account inconsistently and erroneously across XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX as : Closed and charged off, while simultaneously reporting a past due balance.

This reporting is inaccurate, misleading, and violates the following provisions of the FCRA : 1. Violations of the FCRA A. 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to Ensure Maximum Possible Accuracy Credit reporting agencies and furnishers of information are required to ensure maximum possible accuracy in the information they provide. Reporting an account as " closed, '' " charged off, '' and also " past due '' is contradictory and inaccurate. Once an account is charged off, the entire balance is due, and there is no valid reason to simultaneously reflect a " past due balance. '' This misrepresentation fails the accuracy standard.

B. 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Investigation I disputed this inaccurate reporting with XXXX XXXX on multiple occasions, yet they failed to conduct a reasonable investigation to resolve the inaccuracies. They continued to report conflicting data, which violates their duty under the FCRA to investigate disputed information and correct or delete inaccuracies ; not " update '' or " modify '' as they see fit, and only one report.

C. 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) : Failure to Correct Inaccurate Information As a furnisher of information, XXXX XXXX is obligated to investigate disputes referred by credit reporting agencies and correct any inaccuracies. Despite receiving multiple disputes, XXXX XXXX did not take corrective actions and allowed the inaccurate reporting to persist.

2. Financial and Emotional Harm The ongoing inaccurate reporting by Preferred Credit has caused significant harm, including, but not limited to : Denial of Credit : I have been denied credit opportunities, including auto financing, due to the inaccurate " past due '' status reflected on my credit reports.

Emotional Distress : Over the last three years, the stress and frustration caused by XXXX XXXX failure to address these inaccuracies have negatively impacted my well-being.

Lost Time and Resources : I have spent significant time and effort disputing the inaccurate information and attempting to resolve this matter, all without success.

3. Resolution Requested To resolve this issue, I am requesting the following : Immediate Removal of the Inaccurate Information : The account must be corrected to reflect accurate reporting or removed entirely from my credit reports.

Compensation for Damages : Actual Damages : Compensation for financial harm caused by credit denials, lost opportunities, and emotional distress.

Statutory Damages : For willful violations under 15 U.S.C. 1681n.

Punitive Damages : To deter future willful noncompliance with the FCRA.

Documentation of Corrective Actions : XXXX XXXX should provide documentation to confirm that they have corrected or removed the inaccurate information across all three credit bureaus.

Supporting Documentation I have attached the following evidence to support my claims : Copies of my credit reports showing the inaccurate reporting by XXXX XXXX. 
Documentation of responses ( or lack thereof ) from XXXX XXXX ; verifying the XXXX XXXX  reporting practices and failure to address these inaccuracies constitute clear violations of the FCRA. I respectfully request the CFPBs assistance in resolving this matter and holding XXXX XXXX accountable for their actions.

Thank you for your attention to this complaint.

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation