Consumer complaint received 2025-08-26 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: NJ

Complaint narrative:
My name is XXXX XXXX. I have been disputing numerous fraudulent and negative reporting accounts through the credit bureaus for months now with no real correspondence or correction from them aimed at resolving these negative reporting accounts. I am submitting this formal complaint against XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX. These credit reporting agencies have engaged in a deliberate and ongoing pattern of willful non-compliance with federal law, directly harming my rights as a consumer. Since XXXX, I have sent numerous dispute letters all of which are attached to this complaint demanding proper verification and validation of alleged debts. The credit bureaus have failed to provide the legally mandated documentation, in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and related federal statutes. 


The following accounts have been grossly mishandled, requiring immediate deletion from my credit profile for violating numerous federal laws as well as my rights as a consumer by failing to conduct a reasonable investigation to verify each account thoroughly and accurately : XXXX XXXX XXXX- Date of Reinser5on : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of Reinser5on : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of Reinserted on : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX- Date of Reinserted on : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX  ( Opened XX/XX/XXXX ) $ XXXXStatus : Closed XX/XX/XXXX Failure to provide original contractual proof : I specifically demanded a copy of the original purchase agreement between the original creditor and myself, signed by all parties. This is a fundamental requirement under the FDCPA to establish that an alleged debt is valid and collectible. Despite repeated requests, this documentation has never been provided. 

Failure to Provide Verification Methodology : I requested phone transcripts and records of all communications the bureaus relied upon in verifying the disputed accounts. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ), I am entitled to a full description of the procedures used in verification. These requests have been blatantly ignored. 

Improper Reinsertion of Accounts : Multiple accounts that were previously removed have been reinserted without proper notice or compliance with 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ( ii ). Such reinsertion without disclosure is unlawful and demonstrates reckless disregard for consumer protections. 

Failure to Provide Complete Verification & Validation : Despite my lawful demands, the bureaus have failed to produce : the chain of title or ownership history of the alleged debt, the complete payment history, and all records substantiating the claim. Without these documents, the debt can not be verified under law. 

Failure to Provide IRS Form 1099-C : When a debt exceeding {$600.00} is canceled, a Form 1099-C must be issued under federal tax law. I requested this form in connection with the alleged accounts. To date, no such form has been provided, which further calls into question the legitimacy of the reporting. 

Failure to Respond Within Statutory Timeframes : The FCRA grants credit reporting agencies 30 days to respond to a consumer dispute. Despite the volume of letters sent since XXXX, the bureaus have repeatedly failed to respond within the statutory timeframe. 

Violation of 15-Day Investigation Requirement : Federal law mandates that negligent or disputed accounts must be investigated and corrected within 15 days of receipt of a dispute notice. The bureaus have neither deleted the fraudulent accounts nor provided verifying documentation within this timeframe, further compounding their violations. 

Ignored FTC Reports : Numerous complaints have also been filed with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). Despite these reports, the fraudulent accounts remain on file. This failure to act in light of federal complaints is a direct violation of U.S. Code obligations governing consumer reporting agencies. 

Pattern of Deceptive Stall Tactics : In response to prior complaints, the credit bureaus have not provided the verification and documentation required by law. Instead, they issue only generic dispute instructions, which I had already followed. This constitutes a deliberate stall tactic to delay correcting the negative accounts at issue. Such evasive conduct is a well-documented deceptive practice for which the bureaus have been repeatedly sued. 

Pattern of Willful Negligence : The conduct of XXXX, XXXX, and Equifax is not mere oversight ; it is a clear, systematic, and willful pattern of negligence and avoidance of statutory responsibilities. By refusing to investigate properly, ignoring dispute deadlines, and failing to provide verification, these bureaus are acting in bad faith and in violation of the law.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief