Consumer complaint received 2025-08-26 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB, I am filing this formal complaint because my credit report contains multiple inaccurate, unverified, and duplicate accounts. These items are severely damaging my creditworthiness, causing denials of loans, higher interest rates, financial stress, and emotional hardship. Reporting of these accounts without verification is a violation of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). I request that CFPB investigate these matters, require deletion of unverifiable accounts, and hold the furnishers accountable. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Wrong Address Issue : Reported as my past address though I never lived there. 
Law : FCRA 607 ( b ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) requires maximum possible accuracy. Wrong addresses are clear violations.

Story : Having this false address on my credit report makes it look like I am tied to properties or neighborhoods I have no connection with. This creates suspicion of fraud, makes lenders question my identity, and complicates loan approvals. It also creates emotional distress because every time I apply for credit, I fear that the creditor will view me as dishonest or high-risk due to conflicting addresses. This wrong address has no purpose other than to damage my reputation and it must be removed immediately. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Wrong Address Issue : Address not associated with me but tied to my file. 
Law : FCRA 611 ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) requires reinvestigation of disputed information.

Story : This wrong address makes it appear I move frequently or am hiding something in my credit history. I have been questioned in job applications and denied credit because lenders think my residency record is inconsistent or fraudulent. It has also wasted my time and energy as I constantly have to explain to creditors and landlords that these addresses are not mine. This causes humiliation, loss of opportunity, and emotional stress every time it is brought up.

XXXXXXXX XXXX High Balance : {$680000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Late Payment * Issue : Inaccurate late payment reporting. 
Law : FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) prohibits furnishing known false information.

Story : This is one of the most harmful inaccuracies because a mortgage-sized account with false late payments destroys my credibility as a borrower. Lenders automatically assume I can not manage large obligations, leading to denials for refinancing and housing opportunities. The stress of having a home loan reported with inaccurate lates is devastating and affects my familys financial security. I have faced higher insurance premiums, limited credit offers, and emotional hardship because of this false reporting.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$460.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Late Payment * * Issue : False late payment reporting. 
Law : FCRA 607 ( b ) and FDCPA 807 prohibit inaccurate or misleading representations.

Story : Even though this account is small, the impact is huge because creditors do not care about balance sizethey care about payment history. This false delinquency makes me appear irresponsible when I was not. I have been denied small loans, credit cards, and even rental opportunities because of this reporting. It humiliates me, harms my reputation, and makes rebuilding my credit nearly impossible. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$1000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Charge Off * * Issue : Inaccurate charge-off reporting. 
Law : FCRA 611 and 623 require furnishers to correct inaccurate information.

Story : This old account being reported as a charge off misleads creditors into believing I defaulted, which is not true. It paints me as someone who abandons financial obligations. This false reporting has resulted in auto loan denials and higher security deposits for housing. It continues to haunt me even though it should not be there, and it is ruining my chance at financial recovery.

XXXXXXXX XXXX  High Balance : {$4900.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Charge Off * * Issue : Charge off inaccurately reported. 
Law : FCRA 607 ( b ) and FDCPA 807 require only truthful reporting.

Story : This false charge-off makes it look like I failed to pay for years, which creditors interpret as a pattern of irresponsibility. Every time I apply for credit, this entry weighs down my score and reputation. It has directly caused me to be denied personal loans, credit cards, and retail accounts. This is deeply unfair and emotionally draining.

XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$2400.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Charge Off * * Issue : False charge off. 
Law : FCRA 611 guarantees my right to dispute and correct errors.

Story : This inaccurate charge off is especially damaging because it comes from a major bank. Lenders see it and assume I am untrustworthy with credit. It has blocked me from obtaining fair loan terms, prevented credit card approvals, and caused long-term harm to my credit profile. This is emotionally exhausting and unfairly labels me as irresponsible.

XXXXXXXX XXXX High Balance : {$5100.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Charge Off * * Issue : Inaccurate charge-off status. 
Law : FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) prohibits knowingly reporting false information.

Story : This entry makes me look like I can not handle financial obligations, when in fact it is not accurate. It creates serious long-term harm to my score and reputation. I have been denied apartments, personal credit lines, and faced embarrassing conversations with lenders due to this false entry. It is causing me mental stress and financial loss.

XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  High Balance : {$1000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment * * Issue : Inaccurate late payments. 
Law : FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 2 ) requires corrections of disputes.

Story : These false late payments damage my payment history ratio. Even though its a small balance, it ruins my chances of rebuilding credit. I have been denied store cards and personal lines of credit, and it makes me appear irresponsible. This is frustrating, humiliating, and unfair. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$1000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Late Payment * * Issue : Wrongly reported late payments. 
Law : FCRA 607 ( b ) requires maximum possible accuracy.

Story : This account being inaccurately reported as delinquent is very damaging to my financial life. Creditors interpret it as a pattern of non-payment, when it is not true. It continues to weigh down my credit score, prevents approvals, and creates stress and XXXX  as I try to repair my credit standing.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$26000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Late Payment * * Issue : Wrongly reported late payments. 
Law : FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) prohibits knowingly reporting false information.

Story : This inaccurate late payment on a large auto loan is devastating. It makes it look like I can not manage major financial responsibilities, which is not true. Because of this, I have been denied refinancing options and offered only predatory loan terms with extremely high interest rates. My family has suffered directlywe were unable to upgrade our vehicle safely and affordably because of this error. It continues to cause stress and financial hardship every day.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$1300.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Collection * * Issue : False collection account reported. 
Law : FDCPA 807 prohibits false or misleading collection reporting. FCRA 611 gives me the right to dispute.

Story : This collection is not valid, yet it has destroyed my credit profile. Collections are viewed by lenders as the most negative type of account, and this has led to multiple credit denials. It falsely labels me as someone who refuses to pay debts, which is humiliating and unfair. I have had to explain to landlords and employers why this collection shows up, damaging my opportunities for stable housing and career growth.

XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$910.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection * * Issue : Inaccurate collection account. 
Law : FDCPA 807 and FCRA 607 ( b ).

Story : XXXX XXXX is reporting a collection that does not belong to me. This has lowered my score dramatically, caused lenders to deny me credit cards, and left me unable to qualify for even basic financing. I am living with constant financial rejection due to something completely false. The repeated emotional stress is overwhelming, leaving me anxious and unable to move forward. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX  High Balance : {$2500.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection * * Issue : False collection account. 
Law : FCRA 623 requires furnishers to update or delete inaccurate information.

Story : This false collection makes it appear as though I abandoned a debt of thousands of dollars. It paints me as financially irresponsible when I am not. Because of this, I have been denied credit lines, faced higher rental deposits, and even been turned away from opportunities that required a clean credit report. It unfairly damages my name and reputation.

XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$5000.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection * * Issue : Inaccurate collection. 
Law : FDCPA 807 and FCRA 611.


Story : This collection is severely harmful because of the high balance being falsely attributed to me. Lenders automatically assume I am unable or unwilling to handle financial obligations. It prevents me from accessing fair loans, forces me into predatory lending situations, and adds daily stress to my life. This inaccurate entry damages not just my financial health but also my familys ability to plan for the future.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  High Balance : {$950.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection * * Issue : Wrongly reported collection. 
Law : FCRA 607 ( b ) requires accuracy ; FDCPA 807 prohibits misleading reporting.

Story : This false collection creates an impression of repeated delinquency, which is extremely damaging. Every time a creditor reviews my file, they see a pattern of collections that is simply not true. This has led to denials for small loans, rejection for store cards, and emotional humiliation. It unfairly traps me in a cycle of financial hardship.

XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$4200.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Charge Off * * Issue : False charge-off reporting. 
Law : FCRA 611 guarantees my right to dispute. FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) prohibits knowingly reporting false data.

Story : This inaccurate charge-off from a major creditor like XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX damaging. It makes me look like I completely abandoned a financial obligation. Lenders treat this as a red flag and immediately deny me credit. Because of this, I have lost opportunities for better credit cards, balance transfers, and financial rebuilding. It also harms my reputation because employers and landlords view a charge-off as a sign of irresponsibility. This is false and unfair. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX  High Balance : {$940.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection * * Issue : Inaccurate collection account. 
Law : FDCPA 807 and FCRA 623.


Story : This collection is false, yet it prevents me from accessing credit rebuilding programs. I am stuck being penalized for something that never happened. It has damaged my credit score, increased my borrowing costs, and caused financial humiliation every time I apply for something as basic as a credit card.

XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$1100.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Collection * * Issue : Wrongly reported collection. 
Law : FCRA 611 and FDCPA 807.

Story : This collection entry further worsens the false picture of my financial behavior. It suggests I am a repeat offender when in reality I am not. This has made creditors extremely cautious and unwilling to approve me. The result has been repeated denials, constant financial barriers, and emotional exhaustion. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$2900.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Collection * * Issue : False collection account. 
Law : FDCPA 807 prohibits false collection representation.

Story : XXXX XXXX is reporting a collection that does not belong to me. This has significantly lowered my score, blocked me from renting properties, and damaged my ability to rebuild my life financially. Every time I see this on my credit report, I feel hopeless because it unfairly brands me as someone who abandons debts. 
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$840.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Collection * * Issue : Wrongly reported collection. 
Law : FCRA 607 ( b ) requires accuracy.

Story : Even though the balance is small, this collection is extremely harmful. It gives the appearance of repeated financial irresponsibility and adds another negative entry to my file. This has prevented me from being approved for even basic starter accounts, leaving me unable to rebuild. It is unfair, damaging, and causes ongoing stress in both my personal and professional life. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX High Balance : {$5700.00} Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection Issue : Wrongly reported collection account. 
Law : FDCPA 807 prohibits misleading collection practices ; FCRA 607 ( b ) requires maximum possible accuracy.

Story : This false collection is particularly damaging due to its high balance. It portrays me as someone who abandoned a very large debt, which is absolutely false. This accounts presence has caused my credit score to drop dramatically, made loan approvals nearly impossible, and forced me into higher-cost financial products. The mental and financial stress caused by this error is severe and ongoing. 
XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Inquiry Issue : Duplicate/unauthorized inquiry. 
Law : FCRA XXXX. 
Story : This duplicate XXXX inquiry multiplies the harm, unfairly reducing my score and credibility. 
XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Inquiry Issue : False inquiry. 
Law : FCRA 604 violation.

Story : I never authorized this pull. Its presence makes me look like I applied for multiple accounts I never requested. 
Final Statement All these accounts are either unverifiable, inaccurate, or duplicative, violating FCRA and FDCPA. Their reporting has caused financial harm, emotional distress, and unfair treatment in credit applications. I request that CFPB investigate, require deletion of these accounts, and enforce accountability against the furnishers for violating federal consumer protection laws.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief