Consumer complaint received 2025-07-16 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: AL

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern at CFPB, I am submitting this formal complaint regarding several inaccurate and harmful entries currently present on my credit report, which are continuing to negatively affect my financial life, despite my efforts to resolve the matter. These accounts are being reported with errors that violate my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). This is my second attempt to raise these issues, and I respectfully request urgent investigation and resolution. 
XXXX. XXXX Account # XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  High Balance : {$23000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Status : Late Payment * * Issue : This account is being reported with late payments, but I dispute this status. I never received proper billing communication and was not given the opportunity to rectify or verify the claimed late payment. This negatively affects my credit score and causes hardship in securing essential services. 
Law Violated : FCRA Section 611 ( 15 U.S. Code 1681i ) Failure to investigate disputed information. 
FCRA Section 607 ( b ) Duty to maintain maximum possible accuracy.

Personal Impact ( Story ) : I have made consistent payments and always communicated with the lender. This late payment notation appeared suddenly and without warning. It has hurt my chances of securing a mortgage and even employment background checks. This misinformation is damaging and unjust. 
XXXX. XXXX Account # XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$15000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Status : Late Payment * * Issue : This account is also reported with a late payment, which I again strongly dispute. The age and closed nature of the account should mean this should no longer hold such weight. Furthermore, no proper notice or verification was ever provided to justify the reporting of a late payment.

Law Violated : FCRA Section 609 ( 15 U.S. Code 1681g ) Right to accurate and complete disclosure. 
FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) Information providers must not report inaccurate information.

Personal Impact ( Story ) : This account has been dormant for years, yet a late payment status remains. It unfairly contributes to a negative score, damaging my financial integrity. I have missed out on rental approvals and even car loan opportunities due to this. 
XXXX. Hard Inquiry XXXX  XXXX XXXX  Date : XX/XX/XXXX Issue : This hard inquiry was done without my authorization or permissible purpose as required by federal law. I did not apply for credit with XXXX XXXX on or around this date. This constitutes a violation of my consumer rights.

Law Violated : FCRA Section 604 ( 15 U.S. Code 1681b ) Permissible purposes for consumer reports.

FCRA Section 616 & 617 Civil liability for willful and
negligent noncompliance.

Personal Impact ( Story ) : This unauthorized inquiry has dropped my credit score by several points. I have no business relationship or initiated credit application with XXXX XXXX, making this a clear violation of FCRA. Repeated violations like this are deeply disturbing and must be addressed. 
Requested Resolution : XXXX. Immediate deletion of the late payment notations on both XXXX accounts. 
XXXX. Removal of the unauthorized XXXX XXXX XXXX  inquiry from my credit file. 
XXXX. Written confirmation from the bureaus and the furnishers showing the corrections made. 
XXXX. A full, updated credit report reflecting the accurate changes. 
Conclusion : I am a responsible consumer, and I expect my credit report to reflect accurate, verifiable, and up-to-date information. These errors are unjust and harmful, and I request your urgent intervention in investigating and resolving this matter under the law. This is my second formal effort after no satisfactory resolution in the past. 
Thank you for your time and assistance.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation