Consumer complaint received 2024-12-09 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Was not notified of investigation status or results
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint against Experian regarding their blatant failure to conduct a proper and reasonable reinvestigation of the disputes I submitted, as required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ). Instead of resolving the specific inaccuracies I identified in my credit reports, each credit bureau sent me a generic stall letter, which neither addressed the issues raised nor provided meaningful results of any investigation. 

This situation is made even more egregious because formal complaints had already been filed against the credit bureaus through the CFPB regarding their mishandling of my prior disputes. Despite being made aware of these issues through an official government channel, the credit bureaus have persisted in their noncompliance, claiming they could not verify my identity or suggesting third-party involvement without basis. These tactics clearly indicate a deliberate attempt to avoid their obligations under the FCRA. 

Specific Violations of the FCRA : Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Reinvestigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ) : The credit bureaus failed to properly reinvestigate the disputed information as required. Instead, I received letters claiming that my disputes could not be addressed due to alleged third-party involvement or unsupported claims of unverifiable identity, despite clear documentation submitted with my disputes.

Failure to Forward Relevant Information to Data Furnishers ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 2 ) ) : Each credit bureau failed to forward all relevant information from my disputes to the data furnishers. This omission has resulted in incomplete or non-existent reinvestigations of the disputed items. 

Failure to Review and Consider All Submitted Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 4 ) ) : Despite providing detailed evidence and documentation in my disputes, including identifying specific errors and providing supporting materials, the credit bureaus failed to adequately review or consider my submissions.

Failure to Provide Results of the Investigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ) : The stall letters I received did not provide a meaningful explanation of the investigation results or any supporting documentation. Instead, I was sent generic letters that failed to verify, modify, or delete the disputed information as required under the FCRA.

Failure to Correct or Delete Inaccurate Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ) : The credit bureaus have allowed inaccurate and unverifiable information to remain on my credit reports, despite being unable to validate it with proper evidence during their so-called reinvestigations. 

Experian-Specific Issues : Experians responses to my dispute, sent on XX/XX/year>, and XX/XX/year>, are clear examples of their failure to comply with their obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Both letters demonstrate Experians unwillingness to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of my disputes and its use of contradictory stall tactics to delay resolution. 

Baseless Claim of Unauthorized Request : In the first letter, Experian claimed that my dispute does not appear to have been sent directly by you or to be authorized by you and, as a precaution, refused to take action. This assertion is baseless and contradicts the detailed and legitimate dispute request I submitted. According to 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ), Experian is required to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of any item of information disputed by the consumer. This letter represents an attempt to shirk their responsibilities under the FCRA. 

Additionally, this response is particularly egregious because formal complaints had already been filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), making it clear that the dispute originated from me. Experians claim that the dispute was unauthorized is both unfounded and a violation of their duty to investigate consumer disputes in good faith. 

Unnecessary and Redundant Documentation Requests : In the second letter, dated XX/XX/year>, Experian requested extensive identification documents to verify my address, despite already having sufficient identifying information from my dispute. This excessive documentation request is a stall tactic that delays the reinvestigation process. 

The FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 2 ), requires credit bureaus to forward relevant dispute information to the furnisher, yet Experian instead chose to demand redundant and unnecessary information from me.

Furthermore, Experians demand for documents like a utility bill, Social Security card, and proof of addresses for the past two years is disproportionate and contrary to their duty to facilitate consumer disputes. 

Failure to Reinvestigate Disputed Information : Despite receiving my dispute, Experian has failed to investigate the disputed inaccuracies within the legally mandated timeframes. They have not verified, corrected, or removed any disputed items and have provided no evidence of their verification process. This violates 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) - ( 6 ) : Experian failed to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of the disputed information.

They failed to notify me of the results of their reinvestigation or provide supporting documentation of their findings.

Contradictory and Delaying Tactics : Sending two letters with conflicting messages one claiming that my dispute was unauthorized and another demanding additional identification is not only contradictory but a deliberate delay tactic that obstructs the resolution process. XXXX behavior undermines their duty to ensure the accuracy of consumer credit files, as outlined in 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ).

Impact on Me as a Consumer : The credit bureaus failure to properly address my disputes has caused significant and ongoing harm, including : Denial of credit and increased difficulty in obtaining financial services due to inaccurate and unverifiable information on my credit reports. 
Emotional distress from the continued mishandling of my disputes and the failure of the credit reporting system to ensure accurate and fair reporting. 
Unnecessary delays in resolving inaccuracies, leaving me with no confidence in the credit bureaus ' compliance with federal laws.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation