Consumer complaint received 2025-06-21 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: PA

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Complaint Equifax and XXXX XXXX XXXX : Repeated Legal Violations, Fraud, and Harassment EACH VIOLATOR, EQUIFAX AND XXXX XXXX XXXX WILL HAVE SEPARATE REPORTS AGAINST THEM. 

This is a formal complaint against Equifax and XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) for multiple and repeated violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), deceptive practices, and what now constitutes deliberate fraud and obstruction in communication with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ). 

Background : Over XXXX year ago, Equifax acknowledged in writing that the debt reported by XXXX XXXX XXXX was not owed by the consumer and stated it would be removed from the consumers credit file. That decision should have ended this issue. Instead, Equifax failed to fully remove the entry, leaving a ghost negative mark with no clickable details, continuing to damage the consumers credit. 

Since then, Equifax has falsely claimed over XXXX times that the debt has been verified as belonging to the consumer. This is a blatant contradiction of their own written statement, and a direct violation of FCRAs dispute handling rules under XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. The debt had already been investigated, determined not to belong to the consumer, and promised to be removed, making any further " verifications '' not only false, but fraudulent. 

Recent Fraudulent Behavior : In a recent communication with the CFPB, Equifax falsely stated that they required additional identification from the consumer in order to process the dispute. This is an outright lie. The consumer provided full identification documentation more than XXXX days ago, including a government issued ID and Social Security card. Equifax failed to respond within the XXXX  day window mandated by law, which means the disputed item must be removed, per the FCRA. 

Instead of complying, Equifax simply ignored the dispute and then lied to the CFPB, claiming the consumer had not submitted sufficient ID. This is not just incompetence. This is active deception to a federal agency, and it underscores Equifaxs ongoing pattern of bad faith, unlawful behavior, and regulatory defiance. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : The original debt, which belonged to XXXX, was resolved via XXXX XXXX XXXX, and XXXX had no further legal grounds to pursue collection. Despite this, XXXX resumed illegal collection efforts, including daily harassment, abusive language, and explicit threats, such as : XXXX XXXX XXXX, ( XXXX ) : Well kill your dog. 

F * * * your mother. 

These tactics are not only unlawful, they are criminal in nature, and consistent with the CFPBs own findings. In XX/XX/year>, XXXX was fined {$24.00} XXXX for illegal debt collection tactics, harassment, and collecting on debts they couldnt verify. This exact pattern of abuse has continued in this case. 

Enclosed Evidence ( submitted for the XXXX time ) : XXXX. Government-issued Drivers License XXXX. Social Security card XXXX. Copy of original XXXX account resolved through XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Attorney letter confirming resolution and obligation to remove the debt XXXX Credit report still showing the unresolved, falsely listed XXXX account XXXX. Equifaxs original letter stating the debt would be removed ________________________________ Summary of Violations : Equifax : Reinserted a previously removed item in violation of FCRA XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) Failed to investigate or respond within XXXX days ( FCRA XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) ( A ) ) Lied to the CFPB about receiving identification documents Engaged in deceptive practices and obstruction Portfolio Recovery Associates : Attempted to collect on a resolved and invalid debt Engaged in illegal harassment, threats, and verbal abuse Repeatedly violated prior CFPB enforcement actions and consent orders XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX : Despite my numerous requests to verify the debt you would not respond. Despite my numerous requests in writing to cease and desist contact me until you verified the debt you contacted me daily and have threatened to " Kill your dog '' and suggest I ".... f * * k your mother ''. 


The following letter has been OVER XXXX TIMES sent to XXXX for almost XXXX  years with no response from them yet daily harassment : Subject : Request for Debt Validation under FDCPA To Whom It XXXX Concern : I am requesting validation of the alleged debt you claim I owe, as is my right under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, XXXX XXXX. XXXX. 

Please provide the following in writing : The amount of the alleged debt ; The name of the original creditor ; A copy of the original contract or agreement bearing my signature ( if applicable ) ; A complete payment history ; Verification that you are legally authorized to collect this debt in my state. 

Until you provide this information, you must cease all collection activities, including reporting to credit bureaus. If you continue collection without providing validation, you will be in violation of the FDCPA, and I will consider all legal remedies available to me. 

Additionally, I am requesting that you cease and desist from contacting me by phone, email, or any other means except to provide the requested documentation or to inform me of any specific legal action you intend to take. 
______________________ Action Requested : The consumer demands that : XXXX. Equifax immediately and permanently remove the XXXX XXXX XXXX account from their credit report. 

XXXX. A formal investigation be opened into Equifaxs false representations to the CFPB. 

XXXX. The CFPB issue fines and enforcement actions against both Equifax and XXXX XXXX XXXX for clear violations of federal law. 


Failure to take appropriate regulatory action sends a message that credit bureaus and XXXX-party collectors can operate above the law, and defraud both consumers and government bodies with impunity. 

This matter is beyond correction. CFPB, it requires accountability. 
EQUIFAX AND XXXX XXXX XXXX, your lies to me are bad enough. Your lies to the CFPB are criminal.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation