Consumer complaint received 2025-08-22 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account status incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
Summary of Complaint I am filing this complaint because PenFed is willfully and negligently violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., and the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ), 15 U.S.C. 1666b, with respect to the reporting of a XX/XX/XXXX delinquency. 
XXXX refuses to provide any documentary evidence of the alleged delinquency, refuses to show proof that they complied with mandatory notice obligations, and has failed to properly reinvestigate my disputes. They continue to report this derogatory item to Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX without lawful verification. 
Violations 1. Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Investigation FCRA 623 ( b ) ( 1 ) XXXX responded to my XX/XX/XXXX dispute by stating they could not investigate because it was already investigated. 
The FCRA does not allow furnishers to refuse reinvestigation merely because of a prior dispute. See XXXX XXXX TransUnion XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Cir. XXXX ) ( furnishers must conduct a reasonable investigation upon each new dispute, and can not rely solely on prior investigations or automated responses ). 
XXXX refusal constitutes willful noncompliance under FCRA 616 and negligent noncompliance under 617.

2. Failure to Provide Required Negative Information Notice FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 7 ) Furnishers must notify a consumer before or within XXXX XXXX  of reporting negative information. 
I never received any such notice in XXXX regarding this alleged late payment. 
XXXX has provided no proof of mailing or delivery, and thus the negative report is unlawful. 
XXXX. Failure to Deliver Billing Statements in Time to Pay TILA 1666b Creditors must ensure billing statements are delivered in time for the consumer to make payment. 
I never received a XX/XX/XXXX billing statement or delinquency notice. 
Without evidence of timely delivery, XXXX reporting is unreliable and inaccurate. 
4. Failure to Report Tradeline as Disputed FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 3 ) During a dispute, a furnisher must report the account as in dispute to the CRAs. 
XXXX has continued to report the account without properly coding it as disputed, depriving me of the protections guaranteed under federal law. 
5. Continuing to Report Unverifiable and Inaccurate Information FCRA 607 ( b ) Furnishers and CRAs must ensure the maximum possible accuracy of reported information. 
Since XXXX can not produce documentary evidence ( payment due date, actual billing statement, notice of delinquency ), the XX/XX/XXXX late payment can not be verified and therefore must be deleted. 
Harm Because of XXXX noncompliance, my credit report reflects a false XXXX delinquency that has damaged my creditworthiness, increased the cost of borrowing, and caused reputational and financial harm. 
Requested Relief I respectfully request that the CFPB compel PenFed to : Immediately delete the XX/XX/XXXX delinquency from all consumer reporting agencies ( XXXX, Equifax, XXXX  ). 
Provide documentary proof of : The billing statement showing the XX/XX/XXXX due date. 
The date payment was allegedly missed. 
Proof of mailing/delivery of the billing statement and the required 623 ( a ) ( 7 ) negative information notice. 
Confirm that XXXX is reporting my account as in dispute during the pendency of this investigation. 
Cease future violations and ensure compliance with the FCRA and XXXX. 
Attachments My formal dispute letter to XXXX ( XX/XX/XXXX ). 
XXXX response letter ( XX/XX/XXXX ). 
Credit report excerpt showing the XX/XX/XXXX late payment. 

Proof of Documentation Provided In my original dispute ( XX/XX/XXXX ), I supplied XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX with all required documentation for identity verification and dispute processing, including : A copy of my credit report highlighting the disputed XX/XX/XXXX delinquency ; A valid government-issued drivers license ; A copy of my Social Security card ; and Proof of address. 
Mailed all of these documents certified mail. 

This documentation was enclosed with my dispute letter and clearly identified the account in question. Despite being in full possession of this evidence, XXXX failed to provide any documentary proof of the alleged delinquency or of the required negative information notice, and instead issued a blanket refusal to investigate. 
This refusal to investigate, despite having received complete supporting documentation, constitutes willful noncompliance under FCRA 623 ( b ) and negligent noncompliance under FCRA 607 ( b ).

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation