Consumer complaint received 2025-09-09 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am filing this complaint under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) regarding multiple inaccuracies and unlawful reporting practices on my credit file. The following accounts are being reported inaccurately, causing severe harm to my creditworthiness, financial stability, and emotional well-being. 
Wrong Addresses ( Identity Mix-Up and Misreporting ) : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX TX XXXX Wrong Address I have never lived at this address and have no connection with this location. By attaching this false residence to my profile, my credit report creates the impression that I have multiple unstable residencies. Because of this, one of my recent credit card applications was flagged for additional review and eventually denied. Lenders assume I may be hiding my actual residence, which damages my reputation. This is in direct violation of FCRA 1681e ( b ), as the bureau has failed to ensure accuracy. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Wrong Address This address belongs to someone else, but its wrongful connection to my file makes it appear as though I have connections to debts or individuals at this location. A landlord reviewing my file for housing questioned me about unpaid debts associated with this address, causing me emotional stress and suspicion. These are consequences of reckless reporting practices that are hurting my ability to secure stable housing. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Wrong Address This false address reflects a completely different part of the city where I have never resided. The credit bureau is failing in its duty to maintain maximum accuracy, which has forced me into countless disputes. Due to this false report, I was denied an auto refinance offer because the lender flagged this address as inconsistent with my application. This ongoing harm is a direct result of the bureaus negligence. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Wrong Address I have no ties to this property. The appearance of this address connects me to unrelated accounts and possible fraudulent activity. This has made me appear as high-risk, and I have received unfairly high interest rates on credit cards and loans. The damage to my financial reputation has been real and ongoing, and I hold the bureau responsible for failing to delete this incorrect entry. 
Accounts Reported in Error ( Unverified / Charge-Off / Illegal Reporting ) : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$1400.00} Charge Off This account was never properly verified, and I have repeatedly requested proof of its validity. No original signed documents or clear validation have been provided. Reporting a charge-off without lawful verification violates both FDCPA 809 and FCRA 1681i ( a ). Because of this inaccurate reporting, I have been denied financing for a vehicle and forced to seek higher-cost alternatives, creating a heavy financial burden. The reporting of this account portrays me as irresponsible when in fact I never authorized or owned this account in the way it is being reported. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Charge Off This is being reported as a charge-off with a {$0.00} balance, which is contradictory and misleading. If the balance is truly {$0.00}, then there is no basis for a charge-off status. This contradiction confuses lenders and has directly contributed to higher insurance premiums and lending denials. The inaccurate reporting has unfairly labeled me as a financial risk, even though no balance exists. This is damaging, unlawful, and must be deleted immediately. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Charge Off This item has caused me severe harm. The report shows a charge-off with no balance, which makes no legal or financial sense. Yet, lenders see the words charge-off and immediately assume I defaulted on obligations. Because of this, I was denied a personal loan to consolidate my debts, which forced me into greater financial hardship. This is a clear violation of the FCRA and must be deleted. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Charge Off This is a duplicate negative item, and the repeated reporting of the same creditor inflates the negative impact on my score. Having duplicate entries has lowered my score even further, which cost me thousands of dollars in higher interest charges. This is deceptive, negligent, and directly prohibited by law. This duplicate account must be removed at once. 
XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Charge Off This account is marked as charged off with no balance, which is inaccurate and misleading. The bureau is failing to maintain maximum possible accuracy under FCRA 1681e ( b ). Because of this false charge-off, I was denied approval for a personal loan, which forced me into higher-cost financing. This reporting must be deleted immediately. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$320.00} Late Payment This account is inaccurately reporting late payments. I was never provided any proof of these alleged lates nor given proper validation. This false reporting has damaged my credit utilization ratio and hurt my chances of refinancing. This violates FDCPA 809, as no proper validation was provided. I demand removal of the inaccurate late marks. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This account is being reported with late payments despite showing a {$0.00} balance. This is misleading and harmful, making it appear I defaulted on obligations that do not exist. This error has prevented me from qualifying for housing credit. Under FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ), this reporting is unlawful. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment Duplicate reporting of the same account is misleading and unfairly increases the negative weight on my credit file. The repeated appearance of the same creditor makes it look like multiple delinquencies when in fact it is one. This duplication is unlawful and must be deleted. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This account is inaccurate and unverifiable. I was never given proof or original records validating these late marks. Because of this false reporting, my applications for student loan rehabilitation were flagged as high risk. This violates FCRAs reinvestigation requirements. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment Another duplicate entry showing late payments without basis. Duplicate negative accounts are deceptive and unlawful, inflating the appearance of risk. Because of this, I have faced repeated credit denials. This account must be corrected or deleted. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This false late reporting continues to harm me by lowering my credit score and portraying me as unreliable. I have faced emotional distress and financial hardship due to this account being reported incorrectly. Under FCRA 616 and 617, this constitutes negligent and willful noncompliance. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This account is inaccurately showing late payments despite having no balance. Such reporting is contradictory and creates the false impression of delinquency. Because of this error, I was denied a credit card application due to student loan delinquency. Under FCRA 1681e ( b ), the bureau must ensure maximum possible accuracy, which it has failed to do. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This item is more than a decade old and continues to reflect late payments on a {$0.00} balance. Keeping such misleading data past its legal reporting period is a violation of FCRA 605 ( a ). The continued reporting of this account has prevented me from qualifying for favorable mortgage rates. It is unlawful and must be removed. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This account is duplicative of other XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and falsely marked as late. Multiple duplicate lates inflate the negative impact on my credit score. Because of this, I have paid higher interest rates on existing loans, costing me thousands of dollars unnecessarily. This is deceptive and violates FCRA 1681i. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This false reporting has been tied to housing background checks, where landlords assumed I had unpaid education-related debt. I was denied a lease because of this misinformation, which has caused me direct financial and emotional harm. The bureau is failing in its legal duty to investigate and delete unverifiable information. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This entry appears multiple times across my report with slightly different dates, making it a clear duplicate. Duplicate reporting of late payments is unlawful because it exaggerates my risk profile. This item must be corrected or deleted to prevent continued harm. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This account is brand new yet already reflects late payments with no balance. This is not only inaccurate but highly suspicious, making it look as though I am delinquent on an account that has no activity. Because of this, my recent auto loan approval was denied. This violates FCRA and FDCPA protections. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This is another duplicate entry, falsely showing delinquency. Having multiple accounts with similar dates inflates the number of late payments and unfairly lowers my credit score. This has made me appear as a high-risk borrower, causing me to be denied access to fair credit opportunities. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This item is far beyond the XXXX reporting limit under FCRA 605 ( a ). Continuing to report this is unlawful. Because of this error, my financial reputation has been unfairly damaged for over a decade. This account must be immediately deleted as required by law. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This entry again reflects late payments on a {$0.00} balance. Lenders reviewing my report have repeatedly questioned these contradictory entries, which has led to denials of financial products. The harm caused is both financial and emotional. This violates the FCRA and must be removed. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This account is being reported with late payments that are not accurate or verifiable. I was enrolled in deferment/forbearance programs during the period in question, which should have protected me from delinquency reporting. Reporting late payments while deferment was active is a violation of FCRA 607 ( b ) requiring maximum accuracy and directly harms my credit. I demand deletion of all late payment notations. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This duplicate and inconsistent entry reflects late payments that are not properly documented. Student loan servicers are notorious for errors, and in my case, these negative marks are not backed by original payment records. This constitutes unfair reporting under FCRA and CFPB student loan servicing guidelines. I dispute this entry as inaccurate and demand its removal. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment The account shows late payments with a reported balance of {$0.00}, which makes no sense and is contradictory. A closed account with no balance can not be simultaneously reported as delinquent. This false reporting has caused severe credit damage and must be deleted immediately. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This entry is clearly inaccurate because I was under XXXX forbearance protection, where student loan payments and delinquencies were paused under federal law. Reporting me as late during that period is a direct violation of federal student loan relief guidelines and FCRA accuracy requirements. I demand immediate deletion of this false negative mark. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Collection This collection account is not valid. I was never properly notified of this alleged debt, nor have I received validation as required under FDCPA 809 ( a ). XXXX XXXX has a long record of inaccurate reporting and lawsuits for improper collections. Since no proof has been provided, I demand this collection be deleted from my report. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Collection This is a duplicate and erroneous collection entry. It is reporting a {$0.00} balance, yet still listed as an active derogatory account, which is contradictory and misleading. This violates FCRA and CFPB reporting guidelines. I dispute this account as unverifiable and demand its deletion. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Collection XXXX Funding is reporting a debt that has not been validated under FDCPA. I never received any original contract, statements, or assignment documentation proving their ownership of this debt. Reporting unverifiable collections is illegal under FCRA and must be deleted. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Collection This is another duplicate collection from XXXX with contradictory reporting. Again, it shows a {$0.00} balance but remains on my report as derogatory, which is inconsistent, misleading, and harmful. This entry must be removed under FCRA 611 for unverifiable data. 
XXXX  XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Late Payment This entry is being reported inaccurately for late payments on a decades-old account. Federal records indicate payment protections and deferments that were not reflected on the report. XXXX and XXXX have both been sued for mishandling student loan servicing, and I believe my account has been mishandled as well. I dispute this as false and demand removal. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Collection This collection account is false and misleading. I was never notified or given validation. XXXX has a long history of improper collection practices, and in this case, they are reporting an account with no balance but still damaging my credit. This is inaccurate and unverifiable, violating both FCRA and FDCPA. I demand removal. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Charge Off XXXX XXXX is reporting a charge-off with a {$0.00} balance, which is contradictory. An account with no balance can not be charged off. This entry is misleading, unverifiable, and harmful to my financial standing. Under FCRA 611, unverifiable accounts must be deleted after investigation. I demand immediate correction and deletion. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Charge Off This account is inaccurately reported as charged off with no balance. This creates confusion and damages my creditworthiness. Reporting contradictory data violates FCRAs maximum accuracy requirement. I dispute this reporting and demand its deletion. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Charge Off This is another contradictory and damaging entry from XXXX  XXXX. If there is no balance, there should not be a charge-off. This reporting is inconsistent, misleading, and unverifiable. I dispute this account as inaccurate and demand removal. 
XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Charge Off This account is reported as a charge-off with a {$0.00} balance, which is contradictory and misleading. A zero-balance account can not simultaneously be charged off. This entry is harmful, inaccurate, and unverifiable under FCRA 607 ( b ). I dispute this reporting and demand deletion. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Collection XXXX XXXX is reporting a collection account without proper validation. I have not received any notice or original documentation proving this debt belongs to me. FDCPA 809 ( a ) requires debt validation before reporting. A {$0.00} balance makes this reporting inconsistent and deceptive. I dispute and demand deletion. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Collection This is another XXXX entry that is clearly duplicative. A {$0.00} balance collection should not remain as derogatory. Reporting duplicate unverifiable accounts is a violation of FCRA accuracy requirements. I demand removal of this false and harmful entry. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Collection XXXX XXXX  has reported a collection without providing debt ownership or validation documents. I was never notified or shown proof of this debt. Reporting unverifiable debt is unlawful under FDCPA and FCRA. I dispute and demand deletion. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened XX/XX/XXXX High Balance {$0.00} Collection This is a duplicate and conflicting account from XXXX XXXX. It reports a {$0.00} balance but is still listed as derogatory. Duplicate reporting misleads creditors and unfairly lowers my credit score. This violates FCRA 607 ( b ) and must be deleted immediately. 
XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX This hard inquiry was made without my authorization. I did not apply for credit with this company. Unauthorized inquiries are violations of FCRA 604 and must be removed from my report. 
Harm Caused These false and duplicate entries have significantly lowered my credit score, denied me fair access to housing, employment, and credit opportunities, and caused emotional and financial distress.

Requested Action I respectfully request that CFPB : 1. Investigate these accounts with the furnishers and credit bureaus.

2. Order immediate removal or correction of the inaccurate, duplicate, and unverifiable accounts.

3. Ensure compliance with FCRA 1681i ( Reinvestigation of disputed information ).

4. Impose penalties if creditors or collectors are found in violation of federal law. 
I have attempted to resolve these issues directly with the furnishers and bureaus but have not received satisfactory results. I now seek CFPBs intervention to enforce the law and restore accuracy to my credit file.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief