Consumer complaint received 2025-02-22 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:
I am filing this complaint for no action taken and due to multiple violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and retaliatory credit reporting by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX despite them acknowledging these violations. 

FCRA & UDAAP Violations Committed by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Failure to Provide Required Documentation FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681b & 1681g I requested full account validation, including wet-ink signature, data purchase records, and all required documentation proving the validity of the debt. 

The company failed to provide this documentation but continues to report the account, violating my rights under FCRA 1681b ( a ) ( 2 ) and 1681g ( a ) ( 1 ).

Re-Aging & Retaliatory Reporting FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) & ( B ) NaXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX placed on my credit reports two of the same accounts with different account numbers after I filed a complaint on them with cfpb. This is also considered IDENTITY THEFT. 

This appears to be retaliation for my dispute, which violates FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) & ( B ) by knowingly reporting inaccurate and misleading information. 

Additionally, re-aging a debt to extend the reporting period is a clear violation of FCRA 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ). They also did this by having the account status as OPEN and report CO monthly, in which the credit reporting systems with the bureaus looks at this as missed payments harming credit scores such as XXXX, XXXX, equifax, and XXXX. 

Failure to Investigate & Provide Accurate Dispute Response FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ) My previous complaint againsXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX was wrongly marked as a duplicate in order to again avoid validating debts properly and addressing the theft of my identity by XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX to create FAKE accounts. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX did not properly investigate or respond to my initial dispute, violating FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ). 

If a furnisher fails to conduct a proper investigation after a dispute, or provides false information, they violate their duty under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA 1681s-2 ( b ) ).

False Statements to a Government Agency 18 U.S. Code 1001 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX has provided false or misleading responses to the CFPB multiple times to close my case without proper resolution. 

Under 18 U.S. Code 1001 ( Federal False Statements Act ), it is a federal crime to knowingly make false statements to a government agency, including the CFPB. 

A CFPB representative confirmed that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX wrongfully marked my complaint as a duplicate and that their responses were inadequate. 

Deceptive Acts & Practices CFPA 12 U.S.C. 5536 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ) & UDAAP 12 U.S.C. 5531 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX repeatedly issue sham investigations & responses to mislead the CFPB, CREDIT BUREAUS, and CONSUMERS to avoid addressing disputes. 

Under Consumer Financial Protection Act ( CFPA ) 12 U.S.C. 5536 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ), it is illegal for financial institutions to engage in deceptive acts and practices in response to consumer complaints. 

Additionally, under Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts & Practices ( UDAAP ) 12 U.S.C. 5531, if their false response misleads me or prevents a fair resolution, it is considered deceptive under UDAAP. 

Failure to Respond Within CFPB Guidelines CFPB Business Response Timeframe Violation The CFPB requires businesses to provide an initial response to complaints within 15 days. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX failed to comply with this timeframe, violating CFPB guidelines and further demonstrating their unwillingness to conduct a proper investigation. 

Failure to Act & Next Steps A CFPB representative confirmed that XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX wrongfully marked my complaint as a duplicate and acknowledged the reporting violations, yet no action was taken. The CFPB is responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws, including FCRA and UDAAP, under 12 U.S.C. 5511 ( c ).

If no action is taken, I will escalate this matter to : My State Attorney Generals Office The Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) File a civil lawsuit against XXXX XXXX XXXX for damages under FCRA 1681n & 1681o NO MAIL UPLOAD ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BY LAW IN THIS PORTAL OF CFPB.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation