So in March I had a random $700 default on my credit report from a company I have never heard of.

When I contacted the credit bureaus to dispute (because I've never heard of this company) - I processed my dispute claim.

I waited a number of weeks and most credit bureaus came back and removed it from my account stating that no supporting documentation was provided by the company.

Except Equifax.

Their investigation came back and said they verified it's mine.

Confused - called them.

I asked how they verify it is my debt - because I know there's no supporting documentation.

They told me that they just facilitate the claims and that the debt collector is saying that 'yes your name is in the system for $700'.

I keep arguing with them that a fraudulent claim will obviously have my name in the system because it's fraud.

They raised another dispute based on fraud.

Weeks later. Same thing. They said they verified it's mine.

Called them back and they said that the debt collector verified my name is in the system.

I told them again, that they have no evidence this is mine.

So for the third time the supervisor said he will put in the notes for the investigation team to specifically verify that there are documents supporting their claim.

Today I got the results back and they did the exact same thing. They didn't ask for any proof to verify the account, only confirmed that my name was in their system for the given amount.

I've been on the phone with various Equifax supervisors all day and they tell me they cannot do anything.

They've told me to file a complaint with hr FTC (which I did and it logged a file with the CFPB).

They said all they can do is log another dispute (which even by their admissions will only result in the same thing again - that they will confirm I'm in the creditors system).

Our of all the bureaus, Equifax just feels like a scummy scam merchant of a company.

To get a hold of anyone is near impossible when calling (I've figured out the numbers to select, and you basically have to pretend you're cancelling a product with them to speak to a human).

They say they can't do anything but dispute and if I want to take anything further I have to send a letter with proof the debt isn't mine via snail mail with a copy of my social security card and driver's license.

I'm almost incredulous with rage that a credit bureau of all things is telling me to photocopy my private identity cards and send them to a random address in the mail.

Let alone the fact that I have no idea what documents I would have to prove a debt isn't mine?

Surely the onus is on the creditor to provide evidence the debt is mine???

Do I have any other avenues to pursue this?

TLDR:

I know for a fact this debt isn't mine, and Equifax are just playing dumb and being generally uncooperative. They appear to me to be on the side of the creditor and facilitating this scam.

Do I have any other options?