Trans Union fails to keep accurate records of consumer disputes.
Back in September I received correspondance from a collection agency regarding a debt I didn't recognize. I sent a letter requesting validation to the collection agency, and didn't get a response. I disputed with the three credit reporting agencies online about 1 month later. Trans Union responded by email within a week directing me to a link which stated that the item had been verified by the collection agency. Equifax and Experian sent me a similar response through the mail.
The collection agency in question is what is known as a junk debt buyer and committed multiple violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Among these violations was failing to report to the three credit bureaus that the debt was in dispute.
To make a long story short, I am now suing the collection agency. It seems the lawsuit has scared them, because they began listing the trade line as disputed on all 3 reports after I filed suit.
Now that I go back to gather my records, I find that even though I saved the email from Trans Union, when I now click on the link in question it tells me the information in question can no longer be accessed. When I called Trans Union to see if I could get a statement showing that the item had originally been disputed and verified I was told that this was not possible because the item is now listed in dispute. I discussed this with the rep from Trans Union for several minutes and I was told that no record is kept regarding dispute outcomes. I consider this very poor record keeping for a credit reporting agency.
Suffice to say, in the future I will conduct all business with Trans Union through certified mail only.
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