CFPB accuses Experian of systemic failures investigating consumer credit-report errors

Summary

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a federal lawsuit against Experian Information Solutions in January 2025 alleging systemic failures in the company's handling of consumer disputes concerning information contained in credit reports. This case remains unresolved. The allegations described here are allegations made by the CFPB and have not been established by a final judgment. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires consumer reporting agencies to investigate consumer disputes and remove or correct inaccurate, incomplete or unverifiable information. In its second amended complaint, the CFPB alleges that Experian failed to properly conduct reinvestigations when consumers disputed information contained in their credit files. The Bureau further alleges that Experian failed to delete inaccurate, incomplete or unverified information and failed to provide adequate written notice to consumers concerning the results of reinvestigations. The CFPB also alleges that Experian failed to prevent previously deleted information from being improperly reinserted into consumers' credit reports. According to the Bureau, Experian relied excessively and unreasonably on companies that originally supplied disputed information. The CFPB alleges that Experian routinely did little more than forward a consumer's dispute to the information furnisher and implement that company's response, even when Experian possessed evidence suggesting that the furnisher was unreliable. The Bureau further alleges that Experian failed to follow reasonable procedures designed to assure the maximum possible accuracy of information contained in consumer credit reports. The CFPB has emphasized that inaccurate credit-report information can have serious consequences because credit reports are used in decisions involving loans, credit, employment and housing. The litigation has continued through multiple amended complaints and motions to dismiss. The CFPB's current enforcement page states that Experian filed an answer to the second amended complaint in November 2025. In January 2026, the court granted in part and denied in part a CFPB motion concerning several affirmative defenses raised by Experian. As of the CFPB's latest published case update, discovery is ongoing. The CFPB seeks compliance with federal law, consumer redress and civil monetary penalties. Because litigation remains ongoing, this Rotten Company evidence record should remain classified as unresolved unless and until the case reaches a settlement, judgment, dismissal or other final disposition. Primary sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Experian Information Solutions enforcement case: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/experian-information-solutions-inc/ CFPB — CFPB Sues Experian for Sham Investigations of Credit Report Errors: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/archive/newsroom/cfpb-sues-experian-for-sham-investigations-of-credit-report-errors/