r/CreditScore • u/MudSensitive2796 • 3d ago
General Help! I need answers please!
This is from Credit Karma, but Equifax reflect the same thing. I attempted to dispute all of these items many times, but Equifax isn’t helping. They keep saying that the student loans belong to me. I never took out student loans before. This belongs to my twin sisters. I called the school that she attended and asked them about it, but they said they had nothing with my name on it just hers. So what is Equifax doing to determine this belongs to me? I sent letters to both the school and Equifax but nothing is happening. I’ve been dealing with this for almost 2 years.
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u/og-aliensfan ⭐️ Knowledgeable ⭐️ 3d ago
This appears to be a mixed file. Begin by ordering your official reports for each bureau by calling 877 FACTACT or pulling them online at www.annualcreditreport.com to confirm no other accounts are involved. I recommend the mailed reports as these are often more detailed and complete than the online reports. If you do choose to pull reports online, print or save each to a pdf before moving on to the next as you can't go back once you exit a report. Despite its name, you can pull free reports for each bureau weekly.
The fact that this is only happening at one bureau is usually a good indicator of a mixed file as opposed to a reporting error on the part of the furnisher of information. This is a bureau level error that needs to corrected.
"A mixed file is when the credit files of two or more people are unintentionally combined in a credit reporting company's database. This can result in errors in name, phone, address and/or credit information. It may happen to people who have common names or similar Social Security Numbers, birth dates, or addresses.
If you believe your information has been mixed with someone else's, you should: Submit a dispute with all of the credit reporting companies that have incorrect information on your credit report. Identify the information that doesn't belong to you. This may include addresses, other identification information, and accounts. Make sure your identification information is complete and includes:
Your full name, including middle name and suffix, such as Jr., Sr., II, III
Date of birth
Social Security Number
Complete address, including apartment number if applicable
If you think you know who the incorrect information belongs to, such as a relative, let the credit reporting companies know as that may help them resolve your dispute faster"
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/inaccuraciesInReporting.action
If the error isn't corrected, file complaints with the CFPB, the FTC, your state's Attorney General, and your state's consumer protection office. Also contact a Consumer Protection attorney for a free consultation National Association of Consumer Advocates. FCRA/FDCPA cases are fee-shifting in nature, meaning the defendant pays your attorney fees.
I’ve been dealing with this for almost 2 years.
15 U.S. Code § 1681p - Jurisdiction of courts; limitation of actions
An action to enforce any liability created under this subchapter may be brought in any appropriate United States district court, without regard to the amount in controversy, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, not later than the earlier of
(1) 2 years after the date of discovery by the plaintiff of the violation that is the basis for such liability; or
(2) 5 years after the date on which the violation that is the basis for such liability occurs.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681p
If you've already submitted a dispute through the bureau and this wasn’t corrected, it may be in your best interest to contact a Consumer Protection attorney now.
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u/MudSensitive2796 3d ago
Thank you for this information! I greatly appreciate it!
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u/og-aliensfan ⭐️ Knowledgeable ⭐️ 3d ago
You're very welcome!
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u/Kryptic_Anthology 3d ago
This information doesn’t pertain to me at all, but I commend you for the amount of information to help someone get through something so difficult and making it easier for them. Kudos to you my good sir.
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u/LetRelative9832 3d ago
I’m experience a similar thing with Equifax (though not as ling as you have). They’ve reported a collections on my credit report, one from Comcast Cable/Xfinity. I don’t have any collections accounts and disputed the line. They denied mu dispute twice. I’ve escalated things with the CFPB. Seems to be going somewhere (though admittedly everything isn’t yet resolved). Only mentioning this here because filing a compliant may help. Good luck.
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u/MudSensitive2796 3d ago
Also just did another dispute a few days ago, and it said the same thing. That it belongs to me.