Consumer complaint received 2025-03-22 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Public record information inaccurate
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) Subject : Formal Complaint Against Equifax Information Services LLC for Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and Substantial Financial and Personal Damages Dear CFPB Representatives, I am formally submitting this complaint against Equifax Information Services LLC due to the negligent inclusion of an erroneous bankruptcy on my credit report. This inaccurate information, which appeared on my record from XX/XX/XXXX, until XX/XX/XXXX, constitutes a severe violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and has caused significant financial, economic, and emotional damages, directly affecting my creditworthiness, access to housing, and financial stability. 

I. Case Background I legally entered the United States on XX/XX/XXXX, establishing my residence and beginning my financial history in this country. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, Equifax erroneously added a bankruptcy to my credit report, despite the fact that I had no prior credit history, no open accounts, and no financial background that could justify such a record. 

I was never notified of this adverse information, which deprived me of the opportunity to dispute it in a timely manner. 

I became aware of this bankruptcy only after facing repeated rejections in housing applications, until XXXX XXXX XXXX explicitly informed me that the reason for my denial was the bankruptcy on my credit record. 


II. Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 1. Violation of the Duty to Ensure Accuracy in Credit Reports Equifax is legally obligated to ensure that the information in credit reports is accurate and verifiable. The inclusion of an erroneous bankruptcy represents a severe breach of this duty, causing irreparable financial damage.

2. Failure to Notify of Adverse Information ( 1681i ( a ) ) Equifax failed to notify me of the presence of this incorrect information on my record, violating my right to transparency and the correction of errors. 3. Financial Harm and Denial of Credit Oppo
rtunities ( 1681n and 1681o ) The erroneous bankruptcy led to the rejection of multiple credit and housing applications, directly impacting my economic and social stability.

III. Financial and Personal Damages Suffered 1. Loss of Housing Access and Financial Losses Due to Application Fees For over a year, I had to rely on third parties to secure housing using their credit, as my compromised credit history prevented my approval. 

I applied to multiple housing complexes, including XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX, incurring non-refundable application fees. 

I was unable to continue applying for other housing options due to the financial burden of repeated application fees. 

As a result, I am currently without stable and legal housing, a direct consequence of Equifaxs error. 

Supporting evidence : Rejection letters from XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, and other housing applications, along with receipts for application fees. 



2. Excessive Interest Rates on Auto Financing Due to the erroneous bankruptcy, I obtained an auto loan with an APR of 29 %, an excessively high rate compared to the conditions I would have received without this error.

This disproportionate interest rate has cost me thousands of dollars in additional interest, resulting in severe financial hardship. 

Supporting evidence : Auto loan financing contract.

3. Credit Card Rejections and High-Interest Credit I was denied multiple credit card applications, includinXXXX XXXX XXXX  and other financial institutions, due to the erroneous bankruptcy on my record.

I was forced to accept credit cards with predatory interest rates, which increased my financial burden and made debt reduction extremely difficult.

Despite making minimum payments on time, accumulated interest nullified any financial progress, perpetuating a state of economic instability.

Supporting evidence : Credit card rejection letters and statements showing high-interest rates.

4. Financial Stress and Emotional Distress For 1 year and 8 months, I was burdened with a credit history that was not a result of my actions but rather Equifaxs error.

Starting from scratch in this country is already a difficult challenge, but having a damaged credit history from the beginning severely exacerbated my financial and personal struggles. 

The uncertainty of being unable to secure housing, credit, or fair financing has caused severe mental distress, anxiety, and financial stress, significantly impacting my personal and emotional well-being.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation