Consumer complaint received 2025-02-06 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: LA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, LA XXXX [ Phone Number ] [ Date ] Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX CFPB ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, D.CXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, PA XXXX Equifax Information Services XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX Subject : Unlawful Reporting of XXXX XXXX  XXXX Account XXXX XXXX Equifax Violations of FCRA & FDCPA To Whom It May Concern, I am filing a formal complaint against XXXX and Equifax for their unlawful reporting of an invalid XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX account, which was previously determined to be unverifiable, inaccurate, and an unlawful debt assignment. Despite this, XXXX XXXX has re-engaged in deceptive debt collection practices, attempting to assign or transfer the same disputed debt to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and now to XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX and Equifax are knowingly reporting this illegitimate collection account, in direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). These actions constitute fraudulent and deceptive practices that will be escalated to the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), and the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) for regulatory action. 

XXXX. The XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and Illegally Assigned XXXX XXXX previously attempted to collect this same debt through XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, which was proven to be invalid. 
Now, XXXX XXXX XXXX has taken over collection efforts on the same account, despite no proof of ownership or legal transfer of the debt. 
Under the FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ), a debt collector can not attempt to collect a debt using false, deceptive, or misleading representations. 
If XXXX XXXX could not legally assign or collect this debt through XXXX XXXX XXXX, it can not legally assign or collect it through Credence Resource Management either. 

Since this debt has been proven invalid, XXXX and Equifax are legally obligated to remove it from my credit report immediately. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX Failure to Conduct Reasonable Investigations ( FCRA Violations ) Despite clear evidence that the debt is invalid and was improperly assigned, XXXX and Equifax have continued to report this collection account, violating : FCRA Section 611 ( a ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ) XXXX and Equifax have failed to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation into this dispute. 
FCRA Section 623 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ) Credit bureaus must ensure the accuracy of information once a consumer disputes a tradeline.

FCRA Section 605 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) ( 5 ) ) If a debt can not be verified, it must be permanently deleted from the consumers credit report. 

XXXX. Unlawful Re-Aging of Debt A Willful Violation of the FCRA XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX have engaged in illegal re-aging of debt, violating : FCRA Section 605 ( c ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( c ) ) The original delinquency date can not be reset by reassigning or transferring the debt to a new collection agency. 
Re-aging a debt to restart the seven-year reporting period is illegal, yet XXXX and Equifax have facilitated this practice by accepting new collection entries on the same invalid debt. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX Equifaxs Pattern of Willful FCRA Non-Compliance XXXX and Equifax have a documented history of failing to properly investigate disputes, as shown in previous regulatory actions and consumer lawsuits. 
Knowingly reporting false, unverifiable, or illegally assigned debt is a willful violation of the FCRA under 15 U.S.C. 1681n, subjecting XXXX and Equifax to statutory and punitive damages. 

XXXX. FTC & CFPB Complaint for Deceptive Practices Since XXXX and Equifax are knowingly reporting an invalid and illegally assigned debt, I have filed a formal complaint with the FTC and CFPB, requesting : A full federal investigation into XXXX and Equifaxs participation in illegal re-aging schemes.

Regulatory fines and penalties for violations of FCRA and FDCPA consumer protections. 
Immediate deletion of the XXXX XXXX collection account and all associated negative reporting. 

6. Legal Action Against XXXX XXXX Equifax for Non-Compliance If this matter is not resolved within 10 business days, I will : File a lawsuit against XXXX and Equifax under 15 U.S.C. 1681n for willful FCRA violations, seeking : Statutory damages of up to {$1000.00} per violation. 
Actual damages for financial harm caused by their negligence. 
Punitive damages for reckless disregard of federal law. 
Pursue legal claims against XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX for FDCPA violations. 

7. Demands for Immediate Action To avoid further legal consequences, I demand that XXXX and Equifax : 1. Immediately remove the XXXX XXXX collection account from my credit reports. 
2. Provide documented proof that a reasonable reinvestigation was conducted into this dispute.

3. Confirm in writing that this debt will not be reinserted in the future.

4. Provide all communications between XXXX, Equifax, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX regarding this account. 

Final Notice to XXXX XXXX Equifax Failure to comply within 10 business days will result in : A formal FTC and CFPB investigation into XXXX and Equifaxs fraudulent dispute handling practices. 
A lawsuit for FCRA violations, seeking statutory, actual, and punitive damages. 
Public exposure of XXXX and Equifaxs unlawful reporting practices. 

XXXX and Equifaxs failure to conduct lawful investigations and their role in facilitating illegal debt collection practices will no longer be tolerated. I expect immediate resolution, or this matter will escalate further.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief