Business ProfileforEarnest

Earnest put on my credit report a supposed $25 late charge from a student loan on which I cosign. My son affirms that the payment in question was on time and that he never received a notice of a possible credit report or collection effort. I received no notice either, and have verified this by checking my email (as cosigner I would have to be informed; my role as guarantor is to provide payment if he did not. However, he did pay).When I called Earnest, they told me that they have no record of having reported me or him. This was on two separate calls with *****. ******, who also took my call, also could not find anyone who reported it and mentioned another charge, which she then researched and found was covered by the disaster moratorium. She told me to dispute it with the credit agencies.My son received a new letter from Earnest saying that they cannot remove it due to "Federal law." This makes no sense if they have admitted that they did not report it. Their not removing it is slowing down a loan by affecting my FICO score. If they cannot trace the report or disprove my contention of no late payment and not being advised, then they are in error. It is not against Federal law to remove a report made in error or not in compliance with proper procedure and inquiry. It seems that the company may not want to admit error, or else they are just refusing.This erroneous report which they do not remove is preventing me from getting a loan without an extra 7000 in closing costs. I have asked for a letter saying that they plan to remove it, and then I will do the rescore steps. They have refused.