Equifax Split File

[northway]

Sometime in the middle of 2022, Equifax ended up splitting my file somehow. All of a sudden myEquifax had switched from a credit report that showed all of my account accurately, to one that only contained a fraction of my open/closed accounts.

I've contacted both Equifax Corporate and the CFPB to get this rectified, only for Equifax to continuously insist that there is only one active credit file for me. I'm able to see the other hidden (correct) credit file via a credit monitoring service and get alerts that new accounts or information has been added that don't appear on the file that is visible to me. I used to be able to see the hidden credit file as well through Credit Karma before that switched to the incorrect credit file as well.

The biggest issue is that none of the credit accounts on the incorrect file are updating at all, period whether it be balances, new accounts, closed accounts, or otherwise. Most accounts haven't updated in over 6 months, and it requires a dispute be opened to correct any open account balances. I know the file is still split as I've had lenders tell me my file is still frozen even though I've lifted the security freeze from my account on top of the continuing notices from my credit monitoring service.

I'm kind of at wits end as I've opened up 2 CFPB disputes at this point, as well as sent in a final demand notice to Equifax via certified mail to have them correct my file only to receive a response saying "Tell us what accounts specifically are wrong, your file is accurate." I don't know what other recourse I have beyond suing the ever living **bleep** out of them.

[coldfusion]

One of the difficulties with Equifax, at least last time I checked, is that you cannot open a direct dispute with them for an account that they are not reporting.  If they won't acknowledge a split file you can't leverage their standard validation process to get them to try to establish why an account is not reporting. 

Spitballing here a possible approach,  but it's one that a creditor may see as being confrontational on your part depending upon necessary steps taken.  I'll toss it out and let others comment. 

Send a letter CMRR asking Equifax to confirm in writing that your credit file is neither frozen nor locked. 

In the meantime, pick a creditor that was reporting correctly at one point to all 3 major CRAs, get fresh copies of both your Experian and Transunion reports to confirm they are still being updated correctly and that your Equifax report is not, and wait for Equifax to follow up. 

Once Equifax has confirmed that your credit file is neither frozen nor locked (don't get hung up on you likely having a split file, only care about the file they claim is the one that exists and that it is neither locked nor frozen) sent a letter CMRR to that particular creditor that while you see they are reporting correctly to EX and TU the information is not updating on your EQ report and EQ has confirmed your file exists and that it is neither frozen nor locked.   You only want to bring up the symptom, you do not want to diagnose the disease or outline the cure,  let them do that i.e. make no mention about split files etc etc. 

If the creditor blows you off, file a dispute with the CFPB that they are not reporting correctly and include the information Equifax provided that confirms the status of your credit report.   The creditor can report to the CFPB the result of their investigation.

If the creditor comes back and confirms they are correctly reporting, or that their valid attempts fail because of an Equifax issue, use that to try once more to resolve with Equifax.    When you call in to open up a ticket,  tell the CSR that you want to be connected with a US agent.    Equifax only gives offshore CSRs minimal ability to correct errors, although my own experience has been that they're generally quite astute about identifying problems and their causes.   US staff do not provide front line support but they need to be engaged to research and correct the problem. 

If Equifax blows you off again, file another complaint with the CFPB against Equifax referencing and quoting where appropriate the result of the previous investigation undertaken by the creditor.    You need to provide sufficient additional facts with the new complaint so the CFPB doesn't view it as just a rehash of a previous complaint and just close it out as being frivolous.

TL;DR:

a) have Equifax confirm what what they see as your credit report is neither locked nor frozen.

b) have a creditor confirm that they are reporting correct information to Equifax, via a CFPB complaint if necessary.

c) have Equifax determine why the correctly reporting information isn't showing up on your credit report, via a CFPB complaint if necessary.

Expect that this will probably take several months to get resolved. 

[FireMedic1]

This^^^^^^^^^^^

Also send in copies of where you can see your entire file at. I went thru it few yrs back. My banker helped get it straightened out. Had to send in copies of DL, util bill, ect. Took about 2 weeks. One creditor changed my middle initial to a J and its a S. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[northway]

So I have a copy of my entire 3 Bureau File dated 10/24/22 and another dated 12/05/22 showing the loss of accounts, and completely different Equifax file appearing as of now vs October. I'll try going through the steps again, but I may just get a lawyer involved at this point. They've affected my credit pretty severely wherein Citi and Wells Fargo have slashed my limits and jacked my APR as a result of pulling incorrect information from Equifax.

Thanks for all the info!

[AndySoCal]

@northway  If possible find to find a common thread in all the accounts that are not reporting. The first misconception is the bureaus only search by SSN they do not. The search by name including generation code if applicable SSN and address (current and previous) A couple of examples are

1) Variataion in the how the name on the account is being reported Example the consumer's name Jason Paul Smith The consumer as gone by Jason Smith and Paul Smith and Jason P Smith.  The first two names can cause a split file

2) The current address is different

3) The SSN being reported is different.

When you find the difference work with the creditor to correct or update the information.  This the best way to do it. If it is fixed that way the first time the creditor reports it will wipe the way it was corrected.

[Bmom]

A search shows this issue going back years. I'm having the same issue. It is infuriating.  I don't know why they are even a valid credit reporting agency,  since they can not report credit properly. Even just using a small sample size such as this forum, the actual amount of people with this issue has to be extraordinary. 

[AndySoCal]

@Bmom   Use my post earlier in this thread it will give you some help on identifying why the file is split.

[Bmom]

I am more or less.  I've been trying for some time now. We'll see how it shakes out with my latest effort. 

[Santaclausthereal]

have you tried calling and speaking with them i got this resolved over the phone with them and mines was fixed in less than a week

[Bmom]

Yes and they said send in proof of address and identity again.