Consumer complaint received 2025-12-15 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint because XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) is reporting a derogatory account on my credit reports that I do not own, did not open, and did not authorize. Despite my repeated disputes, written requests for validation, and the filing of an FTC Identity Theft Report, XXXX XXXX continues to report this account without providing any documentation proving that it belongs to me. This account is inaccurate, unverifiable, and is causing ongoing harm to my credit. 

This statement explains in detail what happened, the steps I took to resolve the issue, XXXX XXXX failure to validate the account, and why CFPB intervention is necessary. 

XXXX. Discovery of the XXXX XXXX Account I discovered the XXXX XXXX account when reviewing my credit reports from TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. The account appeared as XXXX, reported as a collection/charge-off with derogatory payment history. I immediately recognized that the account was unfamiliar. I have never opened a credit card or loan with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  or any entity associated with XXXX. 

At no time did I receive an application confirmation, welcome letter, credit card, billing statement, notice of default, or charge-off notice from XXXX XXXX XXXX The account appeared on my credit report without prior notice, which raised immediate concerns of identity theft or incorrect reporting. 

XXXX. I Do Not Own This Account From the outset, I have consistently maintained that this XXXX XXXX account is not mine. I did not apply for it, I did not sign any agreement, and I did not authorize anyone else to open it on my behalf. I have never used this account, never made a payment, and never benefited from any credit allegedly extended by XXXX XXXX. 

There is no legitimate relationship between me and XXXX XXXX. I have never consented to any contract, terms of service, or credit agreement with them. Because of this, the reporting of this account is false and inaccurate. 

XXXX. Inaccurate and Inconsistent Reporting by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX tradeline is reported inconsistently across my credit reports. It shows as a charge-off/collection while listing a {$0.00} balance, yet still displays derogatory late payments. This type of reporting is inherently contradictory and misleading. 

If the balance is {$0.00}, there is no valid basis for ongoing derogatory reporting. XXXX XXXX has not explained how an account can simultaneously be reported as charged off, delinquent, and with no balance. These inconsistencies further demonstrate that the account data is unreliable and unverifiable. 

XXXX. Disputes Filed With the Credit Bureaus After identifying the account as inaccurate, I filed formal disputes with all three major credit bureaus. In my disputes, I clearly stated : I do not own the XXXX XXXX account I did not open or authorize the account The account may be the result of identity theft I requested deletion due to lack of validation Despite these disputes, the credit bureaus responded with generic notices stating that the account had been verified. However, no documentation was provided, and no explanation was given regarding how the account was verified. 

This strongly suggests that the bureaus relied solely on automated responses from XXXX XXXX through systems such as e-OSCAR, rather than conducting a meaningful reinvestigation. 

XXXX. Direct Requests for Validation From XXXX XXXX In addition to disputing the account with the bureaus, I sought validation directly from XXXX XXXX. I requested : A signed credit application A copy of any contract or agreement Billing statements Payment history Proof of identity used to open the account Documentation showing I authorized or opened the account XXXX XXXX failed to provide any of this information. They did not send a contract, an application, or any proof of ownership. Despite lacking documentation, they continued reporting the account. 

XXXX. Filing an FTC Identity Theft Report Because XXXX XXXX could not validate the account and because I did not open it, I filed an official FTC Identity Theft Report. This report documents that the account does not belong to me and was opened or reported without my authorization. 

Under federal law, an FTC Identity Theft Report triggers specific obligations for furnishers and credit bureaus, including blocking and removing fraudulent accounts when validation can not be produced. XXXX XXXX has not honored these obligations. 

XXXX. Mission Lanes Failure to Comply With Identity Theft Protections Despite my FTC filing, XXXX XXXX has continued to report the account. They have not acknowledged the identity theft claim in writing, have not provided documentation, and have not removed the tradeline. 

This failure violates the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ( FACTA ) and FCRA 605B, which require furnishers to stop reporting fraudulent information once identity theft is established and can not be disproven. 

XXXX. Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Investigation XXXX XXXX is required under FCRA 623 ( b ) to conduct a reasonable investigation when an account is disputed. A reasonable investigation requires reviewing actual documentation, not simply confirming that the account exists in their internal system. 

XXXX XXXX investigation was not reasonable because : No documents were reviewed No proof was provided No contract exists No identity verification was produced Simply confirming data in an internal database does not satisfy the legal standard for a reasonable investigation. 

XXXX. No Legal Basis for Continued Reporting A furnisher may only report information to credit bureaus if it is accurate and verifiable. XXXX XXXX has no legal basis to continue reporting this account because : There is no signed agreement There is no proof of application There is no evidence I opened the account There is an FTC Identity Theft Report on file The account data is inconsistent Reporting under these conditions is improper and unlawful. 

XXXX. Harm Caused by Mission Lanes Reporting The continued presence of this false derogatory account has caused substantial harm, including : Lowered credit scores Reduced creditworthiness Difficulty qualifying for credit on favorable terms Emotional stress and anxiety Time and resources spent disputing and correcting errors This harm is ongoing as long as the account remains on my credit report. 

XXXX. Burden of Proof Is on XXXX XXXX I have done everything required of a consumer under federal law. I disputed the account, requested validation, and filed an FTC Identity Theft Report. At this point, the burden of proof rests entirely with XXXX XXXX. 

XXXX XXXX has failed to meet this burden. They can not lawfully continue reporting an account they can not prove belongs to me. 

XXXX. Why CFPB Intervention Is Necessary I am requesting CFPB assistance because XXXX XXXX has : Failed to validate the account Ignored my identity theft report Continued reporting inaccurate information Failed to conduct a reasonable investigation Caused ongoing financial harm Without CFPB involvement, XXXX XXXX is likely to continue reporting this unverifiable account indefinitely. 

XXXX. Requested Outcome Because I do not own this account and because XXXX XXXX can not validate it, the only appropriate outcome is : Full deletion of the XXXX XXXX tradeline from all credit bureaus Written confirmation that the account does not belong to me Cessation of all reporting related to this account Assurance that the account will not be reinserted CONCLUSION The XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) account being reported on my credit file is not mine, was never authorized, and has never been validated. I filed an FTC Identity Theft Report, disputed the account with the credit bureaus, and requested validation directly from XXXX XXXX. Despite this, the account remains on my credit report without proof. 

XXXX XXXX has provided no contract, no application, no statements, and no evidence linking this account to me. Their continued reporting violates federal law and is causing ongoing harm. 

I respectfully request CFPB assistance to require XXXX XXXX to delete this account and comply fully with all identity theft and credit reporting laws.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief