Consumer complaint received 2025-01-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Was not notified of investigation status or results
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX [ Date ] Equifax Inc XXXX 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Re : Demand for Immediate Resolution of FCRA Violations XXXX XXXX  Reporting, XXXX  Reporting, and Equifax Misconduct To the Equifax Legal Department and Compliance Team : This letter serves as a formal demand for immediate resolution regarding Equifaxs systemic violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and failure to uphold its statutory obligations, particularly concerning the handling of disputed accounts from XXXX XXXX  and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX  ). Equifaxs actions, including reliance on inaccurate data furnished by creditors, refusal to investigate disputes properly, and failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy in credit reports, have caused measurable financial and emotional harm to me. 

This communication is a final opportunity for Equifax to correct these errors before I escalate this matter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and state and federal courts, where I will pursue all remedies available under the FCRA, including statutory, actual, and punitive damages.

Summary of Violations 1. Failure to Ensure Maximum Possible Accuracy ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) : Equifax failed to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of the information reported on my credit file. Specifically : XXXX XXXX  Accounts ( Account Numbers : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ) : These accounts are reported as having balances owed despite being canceled via IRS Form 1099-C and/or securitized into trusts, rendering the debts legally uncollectible. 
XXXX Account [ Insert Number ] : Furnished inaccurate and incomplete information without proper verification, damaging my creditworthiness. 

I am writing to formally address further concerns regarding the XXXX account ( XXXX ) and other related XXXX accounts appearing on my credit report. Specifically, I require immediate clarification regarding : 1. The Original Date of Delinquency ( ODD ) : The ODD is a critical component of accurate credit reporting under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). It determines how long a delinquent account can remain on my credit report and ensures compliance with the legal reporting timeline. 
I demand that XXXX and Equifax provide documented proof of the ODD for this account as required under FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 5 ).

The ODD must reflect the date the account first became delinquent and was not subsequently brought current.

Any misreporting or re-aging of this account violates FCRA Section 605 ( c ), which limits the reporting of delinquent accounts to seven years plus 180 days from the ODD.

Without documented proof of the ODD, I request the immediate removal of this account from my credit report as per FCRA Section 1681i. 
2. Inconsistent Payment History Reporting : The payment history for XXXX account XXXX and other related accounts shows significant discrepancies and inconsistencies : Payment history entries fluctuate between ND, late payment cycles ( e.g., 60, 90, 120, 150 days ), and charge-off statuses.

Such discrepancies undermine the accuracy of the information and raise concerns about XXXX certification of the data as accurate under FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 2 ). 
I require answers to the following : How did XXXX certify this payment history as accurate, despite the inconsistencies? 
What documentation does XXXX have to support the validity of the reported payment history? 
How did Equifax verify the certification provided by XXXX, as required under FCRA Section 1681e ( b ) to ensure maximum possible accuracy? 
3. Legal and Financial Harm from Inaccurate Reporting : The failure to ensure accurate and consistent reporting has caused direct harm to my creditworthiness, credit standing, and financial opportunities. Misreported payment histories create confusion, damage consumer trust, and violate multiple provisions of the FCRA, including : FCRA Section 623 ( a ) : XXXX obligation to report accurate information.

2. Failure to Conduct Reasonable Reinvestigations ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) : Equifax has repeatedly failed to conduct a reasonable investigation into my disputes regarding the above accounts. Despite providing specific evidence, including documentation of debt cancellation ( via IRS 1099-C forms ) and securitization records, Equifax has : Relied solely on creditor certifications without independently verifying the accuracy of the reported information. 
Issued boilerplate dispute responses without addressing the substantive evidence I submitted, which constitutes procedural noncompliance and willful neglect of its obligations under the FCRA.

3. Failure to Verify Compliance with 30-Day Notice Requirements ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 7 ) ) : Equifax has facilitated the reporting of negative information by XXXX XXXX  and XXXX without verifying whether these furnishers provided me with the legally required 30-day written notice prior to furnishing such information. Neither creditor has provided this notice, in clear violation of FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 7 ). 
4. Misrepresentation and Fabrication of Dispute Results : Equifaxs handling of disputes reflects systemic negligence and procedural violations, including : Failing to provide transparency about how disputes are investigated. 
Relying on fabricated or inaccurate records furnished by XXXX XXXX, such as duplicative tradelines and balances that contradict verifiable documentation Detailed Analysis of XXXX XXXX  and XXXX Reporting Issues XXXX XXXX ( Account Numbers : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ) XXXX. Debt Cancellation via 1099-C Forms : Under IRS regulations , the issuance of a 1099-C form signifies the creditors acknowledgment of debt cancellation. Despite this, XXXX  continues to report these accounts with balances owed, constituting deceptive and inaccurate reporting in violation of FCRA Section 605 and Section 1681e ( b ).

2. Securitization of Debt : These debts were securitized into trusts, making them uncollectible under applicable law. XXXX continued reporting of balances owed is both legally and factually baseless.

3. Equifaxs Negligence : Equifax has failed to exercise reasonable diligence in verifying these accounts, blindly accepting XXXX certification of accuracy despite clear evidence to the contrary. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) 1. Failure to Provide 30-Day Notice : XXXX reported negative information to Equifax without providing me the legally required 30-day written notice, as mandated by FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 7 ). 
XXXX. Inaccurate Reporting : XXXX has furnished inaccurate information regarding balances, payment history, or account status. Equifaxs failure to verify this information violates its duty to ensure maximum possible accuracy. 

Demands for Immediate Resolution To avoid escalation, I demand that Equifax : 1. Remove All Inaccurate and Negative Items : Remove all negative tradelines for XXXX XXXX  ( Accounts XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ) and PenFed ( [ Insert Account Number ] ). 
Confirm in writing that these items have been permanently removed from my credit report. 
2. Provide Proof of Compliance by Creditors : Documentation verifying that XXXX and XXXX complied with the FCRA-mandated 30-day notice requirement prior to furnishing negative information. 
Evidence of Equifaxs independent investigation into my disputes, including specific actions taken to verify the accuracy of the disputed information. 
3. Issue Written Confirmation of Action Taken : Provide a detailed report of all actions taken to correct these errors and ensure compliance with the FCRA.

4. Commit to Procedural Reforms : Implement stronger safeguards to prevent reliance on unverifiable creditor certifications.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief