Consumer complaint received 2025-07-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
# Collection Account Dispute and Debt Validation Letter XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX. XXXX XX/XX/XXXX * * TO : * * Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX * * TO : * * Experian Information Solutions XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX * * TO : * * TransUnion XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, PA XXXX * * CC : * * XXXX XXXX * * CC : * * XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX -- -- - * * RE : FORMAL DISPUTE AND DEBT VALIDATION DEMAND * * * * Consumer : * * XXXX XXXX * * Date of Birth : * * XX/XX/XXXX * * Social Security Number : * * XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX NOTICE OF DISPUTE UNDER THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT * * * * Dear Credit Reporting Agencies, * * I am writing to formally dispute the following collection accounts appearing on my credit reports and to demand their immediate removal pursuant to my rights under federal consumer protection laws. 

# # DISPUTED COLLECTION ACCOUNTS : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX. XXXX - XXXX XXXX Violation * * The reporting of these alleged debts violates XXXX XXXX. XXXX, which establishes United States coins and currency as legal tender for all debts, public and private. Any debt collection activity that does not comply with legal tender requirements is invalid and must be removed from credit reports. 

# # # * * XXXX XXXX. XXXX - Debt Validation Requirements * * Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), both collection agencies have failed to provide proper debt validation as required by XXXX U.S.C. XXXX. Without proper validation, these accounts can not be legally reported or collected upon. 

# # # * * Regulation F - CFPB Debt Collection Rules * * The Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus Regulation F requires specific disclosures and validation procedures that have not been properly followed by these collection agencies. Failure to comply with Regulation F renders the collection activity invalid. 

# # # * * XXXX XXXX. XXXX - Willful Noncompliance * * The continued reporting of these unvalidated debts constitutes willful noncompliance with FCRA requirements under XXXX XXXX. XXXX, subjecting the credit reporting agencies to statutory damages. 

# # # * * XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( c ) - Communication Restrictions * * Both collection agencies have violated XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( c ) by reporting to credit bureaus without proper authorization and validation, constituting improper communication regarding alleged debts. 

# # SPECIFIC LEGAL VIOLATIONS : # # # * * XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Unlicensed Collection Activity * * XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is * * NOT * * a licensed collection agency with the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX This entity is engaging in unlicensed debt collection activity, which violates : - State licensing requirements for debt collection - FDCPA provisions requiring proper licensing - FCRA requirements for furnisher accuracy * * DEMAND : * * Immediate removal of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account due to unlicensed collection activity. 

# # # * * XXXX XXXX - Validation Failure * * XXXX XXXX has failed to provide proper debt validation and documentation as required under federal law. 

* * DEMAND : * * Immediate removal of XXXX XXXX account due to validation failure. 

# # DEBT VALIDATION DEMAND * * TO : XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX * * Under XXXX U.S.C. XXXX of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I hereby demand that you provide the following documentation within XXXX days of receipt of this letter : # # # * * Required Documentation : * * XXXX. * * Assignment XXXX * * - XXXX, executed assignment agreement showing the legal transfer of the alleged debt from the original creditor to your agency XXXX. * * XXXX XXXX XXXX * * - Any forward flow or bulk purchase agreement related to the acquisition of this alleged debt XXXX. * * Original Creditor Documentation * * - Complete account history and statements from the original creditor XXXX. * * XXXX XXXX * * - Detailed payment history showing all payments, charges, and balance calculations XXXX. * * Licensing Documentation * * - Proof of current, valid debt collection licensing in all states where collection activity is being conducted XXXX. * * Chain of XXXX * * - XXXX chain of title documentation showing legal ownership of the alleged debt XXXX. * * Validation of XXXX * * - Detailed breakdown of the alleged debt amount, including principal, interest, and fees XXXX. * * Authorization to Report * * - Written authorization from the original creditor to report this account to credit bureaus # # # * * Legal Notice - Debt Validation Requirements : * * Pursuant to XXXX U.S.C. XXXX : - You must cease all collection activities until proper validation is provided - You must provide written verification of the debt- You must provide the name and address of the original creditor - Failure to validate voids the debt and requires removal from credit reports # # DEMAND FOR REMOVAL I hereby demand that all three credit reporting agencies ( Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion ) * * IMMEDIATELY REMOVE * * both collection accounts from my credit reports based on the following : XXXX. * * Unlicensed Collection Activity * * ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) XXXX. * * Failure to Provide XXXX XXXX * * ( Both accounts ) XXXX. * * Violation of XXXX XXXX Laws * * ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) XXXX. * * FDCPA Violations * * ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX, XXXX ( c ) ) XXXX. * * Regulation F Non-Compliance * * XXXX. * * FCRA Accuracy Requirements * * ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) # # LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE * * Credit Reporting Agencies : * * Failure to remove these disputed accounts within XXXX  days constitutes willful noncompliance under XXXX U.S.C. XXXX and subjects you to : - Statutory damages of $ XXXX {$1000.00} per violation - Actual damages - Punitive damages - Attorney fees and costs * * Collection Agencies : * * Continued collection activity without proper validation violates : - XXXX U.S.C. XXXX ( FDCPA ) - Regulation F requirements- State licensing laws- Subjects you to statutory damages up to {$1000.00} per violation # # CEASE AND DESIST * * TO : XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX * * This letter serves as formal notice to * * CEASE AND DESIST * * all collection activities regarding these alleged debts until proper validation is provided. Any continued collection activity without validation constitutes harassment under XXXX XXXX. XXXX. 

# # REQUIRED RESPONSE I expect written confirmation within XXXX  days that : XXXX. Both collection accounts have been removed from all credit reports XXXX. Debt validation documentation has been provided ( if claiming validity ) XXXX. All collection activities have ceased pending validation # # PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS I reserve all rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Regulation F, and applicable state laws. This letter does not constitute acknowledgment of any debt. 

* * DO NOT CONSTRUE THIS LETTER AS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF LIABILITY FOR THE ALLEGED DEBT ( XXXX ). THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT ERRONEOUS INFORMATION AND DEMAND COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW. * * * * Sincerely, * * XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX METHOD OF DELIVERY : * * Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested * * TRACKING NUMBERS : * * [ To be filled in when mailing ] * * ENCLOSURES : * * - Copy of Photo ID - Copy of Social Security Card ( redacted )

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation