Consumer complaint received 2025-01-16 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
am writing to dispute the inaccurate and contradictory reporting of a charge-off by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) on my credit report, associated with account number [ Insert Account Number ]. Upon reviewing my credit reports, I have noticed significant discrepancies in how this account is being reported across the credit bureaus, including : XXXX : Reporting the account as written off. 
XXXX : Reporting the account as charged off as bad debt. 
XXXX Statement : XXXX claims the debt remains collectible and has been transferred to XXXX XXXX. 

These discrepancies highlight serious inaccuracies in how this debt is being reported, in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

Key Issues and Violations : XXXX. Inconsistent and Contradictory Reporting Across XXXX : The conflicting information across XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX demonstrates a failure to ensure the accuracy of the reported information, as required by FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ). Each bureaus reporting contradicts NMACs own statements regarding the status and ownership of the debt, further undermining the accuracy and reliability of the furnished information. 
XXXX. Failure to Clarify Debt Ownership : On XXXX XXXX, 2025, I confirmed with NMACs representative, XXXX, that the account has been transferred to XXXX XXXX. If XXXX no longer owns the debt, they must cease reporting it and ensure that no duplicate or conflicting entries exist across XXXX. 
XXXX. Failure to Provide Validation of the Debt : Despite disputing the charge-off multiple times, XXXX has failed to provide documentation to validate the debt or explain the discrepancies in its reporting. This violates FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ), which requires furnishers to conduct reasonable investigations and provide accurate updates to the XXXX. 
XXXX. Potential Misleading or Inaccurate Reporting by XXXX : Reporting the debt as charged off as bad debt without clarifying whether it remains collectible or has been transferred to XXXX XXXX is misleading and may constitute inaccurate reporting under FCRA XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ). If the debt is no longer owned by XXXX, XXXX must correct or delete this entry immediately. 

Failure to Provide Validation Documents : Under FCRA XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( b ), XXXX  is obligated to : XXXX. Investigate disputes in a timely manner. 
XXXX. Provide documentation supporting the accuracy of the information they are reporting ( e.g., original agreements, payment history ). 
Their failure to provide the requested documents while continuing to report the debt may constitute a violation of their duty as a furnisher of information. 
Misleading Statements About Debt Ownership : If XXXX has sold the debt to XXXX XXXX, they should not be reporting the account. Their refusal to clarify the ownership and provide documentation further demonstrates a failure to comply with their legal obligations under the FCRA. 

XXXX Credit Reporting Agencies Not Reinvestigating Properly FCRA XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ) : XXXX are required to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed information within 30 days. If they claim the account is verified as accurate without receiving supporting evidence from XXXX, they have failed to meet this standard. 
FCRA XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( b ) : XXXX  must maintain reasonable procedures to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of the information reported. Allowing unverifiable or conflicting information to remain on your credit report violates this requirement. 
Rubber-Stamp Verification : If the XXXX  are relying solely on XXXX  unsubstantiated claims without demanding proof or conducting their own investigation, they are violating your rights under the FCRA. 

XXXX. Potentially False or Misleading Reporting Double Reporting or Misleading Status : If both XXXX and XXXX XXXX are reporting the same debt, this creates a double reporting issue that can severely harm your credit score. 
If XXXX no longer owns the debt but continues to report it, they are misleading both you and the XXXX, violating XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ), which prohibits false or misleading reporting. 
Contradictory Status : XXXX reports the account as written off, XXXX as charged off as bad debt, while XXXX claims the debt is collectible and has been transferred. These discrepancies further show that neither XXXX nor the XXXX  are ensuring accuracy. 

Violations XXXX. XXXX Violations : Failure to investigate : FCRA XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( b ). 
Inaccurate reporting : FCRA XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ). 
Refusal to provide documentation : Indicates a lack of compliance with reasonable investigation standards. 
Failure to cease reporting after transferring ownership : Misleading reporting if XXXX no longer owns the debt. 
XXXX Credit Reporting Agency Violations : Failure to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation : FCRA XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ). 
Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy : FCRA XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( b ). 
Relying on unverifiable information from XXXX : Misleading reporting practices. 

XXXX. Demand Proof of Investigation : Request a detailed explanation of how the CRAs verified the account without receiving supporting evidence from XXXX. Demand that they provide proof of their reinvestigation. 
XXXX. XXXX refusal to provide documentation violates FCRA requirements and undermines their claim that the debt is accurate and collectible. 

Requested Actions : To resolve this matter, I request that Equifax, XXXX, XXXX take the following actions : XXXX. Conduct a Reinvestigation Across All XXXX : Require XXXX to provide verifiable documentation, including proof of debt ownership, the original agreement, and a detailed payment history, to substantiate their claim. 
Ensure consistent and accurate reporting across all XXXX, including removing the account from XXXX  reporting if they no longer own the debt. 
XXXX. Verify Debt Ownership : Confirm whether the debt is owned by XXXX or XXXX XXXX. If it has been sold, ensure that XXXX ceases reporting the account entirely to avoid duplicate or conflicting entries. 
XXXX. Clarify Debt Status : If the account has been written off, ensure that a 1099-C is issued, as required under XXXX XXXX XXXX, and confirm that the debt has been updated to reflect its true status. 
XXXX. Provide Written Confirmation : Provide me with a written explanation of how the XXXX  verified this account and what actions have been taken to correct these discrepancies. 

Enclosures : Documentation of communication with XXXX representatives confirming the account transfer to XXXX XXXX. 
Copies of credit reports showing the inconsistent reporting across XXXX and XXXX. 

The ongoing discrepancies in reporting have caused significant harm to my credit profile, and I demand corrective action within the 30-day period required by the FCRA. If this matter is not resolved promptly, I will escalate my complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and explore legal remedies for damages under federal law.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation