Consumer complaint received 2024-12-20 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB Representative, I am writing to file a formal complaint against the credit reporting agencies Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX for their failure to comply with my rights under both California and federal laws concerning the validation of debts. Despite my repeated requests for proper validation, these agencies have continued to report debts that are disputed without providing a signed contract or sufficient documentation to verify the validity of these debts. I am about to pursue legal action against these entities, and I require the CFPBs assistance in addressing this matter. 

Background : 1. Debts in Question : XXXX XXXX XXXX : An alleged debt from XXXX XXXX 
XXXX. XXXX XXXX : An alleged debt from XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX 
XXXX XXXX XXXX : An alleged debt without a signed contract. 
2. Requests for Validation : I have sent multiple disputes directly to each credit reporting agency and the debt collectors involved, requesting proper validation of these debts in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ). These laws mandate that a debt collector must provide written validation of a debt if the consumer requests it, including documentation that demonstrates the debt is valid and owed by the consumer. 
XXXX. Non-compliance by XXXX XXXX XXXX : Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX have been reporting these debts as valid on my credit report despite the lack of proper validation documents. The alleged debts have been reported without a signed contract or any sufficient documentation proving that these debts are actually owed by me. 
According to the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ), credit reporting agencies must follow reasonable procedures to assure the accuracy of the information they report. The continued reporting of these disputed debts without proper validation not only violates federal law but also constitutes an infringement of my rights under the California XXXX Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( California Civil Code 1788 et seq. ), which mandates that creditors and debt collectors must provide written proof of the debt upon request.

4. Violation of Rights : I have specifically requested validation of the debts from both the debt collectors and the credit reporting agencies within the statutory timelines provided by the FDCPA and FCRA. However, Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX have failed to provide sufficient proof or a signed contract showing that the debts were valid and owed by me. 
These actions have caused significant damage to my creditworthiness and have resulted in undue stress and financial insecurity. The continued reporting of these debts as valid, despite my dispute, constitutes a violation of the FDCPA and FCRA, which require that debts be accurately verified and reported. 
The FCRA also stipulates that a credit reporting agency must investigate disputed information within 30 days of being notified by the consumer ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ). However, none of the credit reporting agencies has provided any signed contracts or documentation proving that these debts were validated by the original creditors, as required by law. 
5. No Signed Contracts Provided : None of the involved debt collectors ( XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ) have provided a signed contract with their clients that can be used to validate these debts. These entities have only submitted vague statements claiming a contractual relationship but have not provided the necessary documentation to substantiate these claims. 
This blatant disregard for providing proper validation constitutes a violation of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681g ), which mandates that a consumer must be provided with complete information regarding the debt, including copies of all documents that substantiate the debt.

6. Request for Immediate Action : I request that the CFPB investigate this matter to ensure that Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX are in compliance with the FCRA and California XXXX XXXX. 
I demand that all three agencies immediately remove these disputed debts from my credit report and correct my credit file to reflect the accurate status of these accounts as disputed. This should include a notation that the debts are disputed, and any negative impacts associated with these accounts should be removed. 
Furthermore, I request that these agencies be required to provide written confirmation that all records of these debts have been corrected and that no further collection activity will be pursued without proper validation. 
XXXX. Potential Legal Action : I intend to pursue legal action against Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX if they fail to address and rectify this issue promptly. I will file lawsuits for violations of the FCRA and California XXXX XXXX, seeking damages for the harm these violations have caused to my credit and financial well-being. 

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your prompt response and assistance in resolving this issue.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief