Consumer complaint received 2025-01-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Old information reappears or never goes away
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am filing a formal complaint regarding a misleading and deceptive experience I had while attempting to resolve a charge-off account with XXXX XXXX 

Details of the Incident 1. Charge-Off Account : I had a charge-off account with XXXX XXXX and recently contacted their customer service to propose a Pay-for-Delete agreement for resolving the debt. 
XXXX. Interaction with Bank Representatives : During my call with XXXX XXXX, I was transferred to another department without being informed that I was being connected to a third-party collection agency. Believing I was still speaking with XXXX XXXX representatives, I provided my bank account details and began making payments under the impression that XXXX XXXX would honor the agreement to remove the account from my credit report upon full payment. 
XXXX. Misrepresentation by the Collection Agency : At no point during the call was I informed that I was dealing with a collection agency and not XXXX XXXX Furthermore, the collection agency : Agreed to a Pay-for-Delete arrangement without clarifying their role in the debt collection process. 
Misled me to believe that the original creditor, XXXX XXXX, would update or remove the negative item from my credit report. 
XXXX. Outcome : After fully paying off the debt, I began receiving letters from the collection agency confirming the payments. However : The collection agency had no entry on my credit report to delete, as the account in question was listed under XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX XXXX made no changes to the charge-off status on my credit report. 
I was misled into thinking the Pay-for-Delete agreement would result in changes to my credit report, which it did not.

- Payment was made for third company, not even XXXX XXXX XXXX nor collection agency Complaint Summary This situation represents a clear case of misrepresentation and a failure to disclose critical information : Lack of transparency : I was not informed that my call was being transferred to a collection agency. 
Deceptive practices : The collection agency misrepresented their ability to fulfill the Pay-for-Delete agreement.

My rights was violated by Law : 1. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) : Lack of transparency ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ) : Failure to disclose that the interaction was with a third-party collection agency rather than the original creditor.

False or misleading representations ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ) : The collection agency misrepresented its authority by implying it could fulfill the Pay-for-Delete agreement, which it was not able to do.

Failure to disclose identity ( 15 U.S.C. 1692d-f ) : The agency did not make it clear who they were or their role in the debt collection process. 

2. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : Inaccurate reporting practices ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ) : The original creditor ( XXXX XXXX ) may have violated its obligations by failing to update or correct the credit report after the debt was fully paid.

Misleading credit reporting promises : Promising to remove the account from the credit report without the actual ability to do so is potentially deceptive and could lead to consumer harm.

Requested Resolution 1. Investigation into the actions of XXXX XXXX and the collection agency regarding their misrepresentation and deceptive practices. 
2. Immediate removal of the negative account listing from my credit report, as per the original Pay-for-Delete agreement.

3. Assurance that XXXX XXXX and the collection agency will improve their transparency and disclosure practices to prevent similar situations in the future. 

In attachment you can find a checks from the payments I look forward to your prompt response and resolution to this matter. Thank you for your attention.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief