Consumer complaint received 2025-09-05 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding multiple inaccurate, misleading, and harmful items being reported on my credit report. These items are in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and other consumer protection laws. Below I have detailed each account, the issues, laws being violated, and the harm I have suffered. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date XXXX Balance Owed : {$0.00} Issue : This account is reporting as a charge-off despite showing a balance of {$0.00} which indicates no debt is owed. Reporting a {$0.00} balance account as a charge-off is misleading and harmful. Law : FCRA 602, 607 ( b ), and 609 require that information reported must be accurate and not misleading. Story : This reporting has unfairly placed me in a negative light with lenders. I have been denied access to new credit cards and auto loans because of this false derogatory status. Even though the balance is {$0.00}, the charge-off label makes it appear as if I failed to meet my financial obligations. This misreporting affects not just my credit score but also my reputation as a responsible consumer, making it extremely difficult to rebuild financial stability. I have had to endure emotional stress and embarrassment when explaining to potential lenders and landlords why a {$0.00} account is being treated as a charge-off, which is an abuse of the reporting system. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date XXXX Balance Owed : {$280.00} Issue : This account is being reported as a charge-off despite inaccurate reporting of balance and payment history. Law : FCRA 611 grants me the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information and mandates correction or deletion. Story : This account has been damaging my profile by incorrectly showing a charge-off, which suggests abandonment of financial responsibility. In reality, the reporting does not reflect the true payment arrangements or communication attempts I made with the creditor. This false derogatory status has contributed to credit score declines that block my ability to refinance existing debt at better terms. It paints me as financially reckless when I have made efforts to resolve my obligations. Such inaccurate reporting makes me appear untrustworthy to lenders and employers, which is unfair, misleading, and harmful to my financial future. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date XXXX Balance Owed : {$670.00} Issue : This account is reported as a charge-off without proper verification of debt and balance calculation. Law : FCRA 609 requires that the furnisher must provide proper validation of reported information. FDCPA 809 also requires debt validation. Story : I have never received proper validation of this alleged debt, yet it is being reported as a charge-off, destroying my credit standing. Because of this reporting, I have been denied personal loans and have been subjected to higher deposit requirements for rental housing and utilities. This is a violation of my consumer rights, as I am being punished financially for a debt that was never properly validated. The presence of this item also forces me to overpay for basic financial services and denies me access to fair market credit opportunities, which is exactly what consumer protection laws are designed to prevent. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date XXXX Balance Owed : {$0.00} Issue : This account is reporting late payments despite showing no balance due. This is inaccurate and misleading. Law : FCRA 607 ( b ) requires maximum possible accuracy in reporting. Story : Reporting a {$0.00} account as late is not only inaccurate but also deeply damaging. It makes it appear as though I am delinquent even when no money is owed. Because of this, I have been unfairly penalized in credit scoring models, denied store credit accounts, and faced humiliation when explaining to potential landlords why my credit report reflects late payments on a {$0.00} account. This false reporting makes me look irresponsible and has directly limited my ability to rebuild my credit and move forward financially. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date XXXX Balance Owed : {$31000.00} Issue : This account is being reported as a charge-off without proper validation and continues to reflect derogatory status. Law : FDCPA 809 and FCRA 611 mandate proper investigation and validation. Story : This large balance charge-off severely impacts my credit profile. I have not received any validation documents or proof of accuracy regarding this reporting, yet it continues to weigh heavily on my credit. Because of this, I have been denied vehicle financing, denied mortgage pre-approval, and subjected to unfair scrutiny when applying for credit. It creates the false impression that I simply walked away from a major debt, when in fact no verified proof has been provided. This damages not only my financial opportunities but also my dignity as a consumer who is being misrepresented by unlawful reporting. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date XXXX Balance Owed : {$950.00} Issue : This account is being reported as a collection without proper validation and may be a duplicate entry. Law : FDCPA 807 prohibits misrepresentation of debt, FCRA 611 requires proper dispute resolution. Story : This reporting has created additional and unnecessary derogatory marks on my credit report, making it appear as if I am not paying debts that I do not even recognize. I have never received a proper validation notice, yet this account appears as an active collection. The lack of validation combined with duplicate reporting is abusive, as it unfairly lowers my score and creates obstacles for me in accessing housing, credit, and employment. This type of reporting is not only unlawful but also deeply harmful to my financial stability and peace of mind. 
Requested Resolution : I request immediate investigation, removal, and correction of these inaccurate and unlawful items from my credit report. I also request written confirmation once these errors are resolved. 
These reporting errors have caused significant financial and emotional harm. If not resolved, I am prepared to pursue further legal remedies.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief