An active-duty US Navy sailor from Pierce County is suing Equifax, alleging the credit reporting giant failed to correct an inflated auto loan balance even after he provided military orders showing he was entitled to federal financial protections.
Mason Hamer filed the lawsuit in Tacoma federal court on Friday, May 29, accusing Equifax of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to properly investigate his dispute and continuing to report inaccurate information on his credit file.
According to the complaint, the dispute centers on a vehicle loan Hamer obtained through Harborstone Credit Union in October 2022 with an interest rate exceeding 14%.
Hamer entered active-duty military service on Aug. 15, 2024, according to the lawsuit. Under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, certain loans obtained before military service may qualify for an interest-rate reduction to 6%.
The lawsuit alleges Hamer formally requested that reduction from Harborstone on May 18 and provided military orders supporting his request.
On the same day, Hamer also contacted Equifax and disputed what he described as an inflated loan balance appearing on his credit report. The lawsuit states he provided Equifax with both his military orders and documentation showing he had requested the rate reduction.
Equifax allegedly responded that it had investigated the dispute and determined the reported balance was accurate. Hamer argues otherwise.
According to the complaint, Equifax either failed to properly communicate the dispute to Harborstone Credit Union or failed to conduct a reasonable investigation before determining the information was correct.
“Mr. Hamer suspects that Equifax did not even send his dispute to the Credit Union,” the lawsuit states.
The case carries potentially significant consequences beyond a typical credit dispute.
According to the complaint, Hamer is required as a servicemember to report adverse credit information to military authorities. The lawsuit cites federal security clearance guidance stating that security clearance holders must self-report incidents that could affect their eligibility.
“Self-reporting is mandatory, and it’s always better to be honest and forthright,” the guidance quoted in the lawsuit states.
Hamer alleges Equifax’s actions caused financial harm, damage to his reputation, emotional distress, and interference with his daily activities.
The lawsuit further alleges Equifax failed to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy in its credit reporting and failed to properly reinvestigate disputed information.
Hamer is seeking actual damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, and other relief to be determined at trial.
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