Consumer complaint received 2020-04-07
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NV
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes

Complaint:
I am a victim of Identity Theft. Credit cards Utility Bills and Apartments have been opened in my name for years. Evictions have been placed on the credit that led me to be denied a place to live. This system appears to be rigged since we have credit that we can't protect just to be denied credit and jobs after our credit gets ruined. 

In XX/XX/XXXX I filed Chapter XXXX to start over fresh and it was XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. I placed a Fraud Alert on my accounts ( XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX  ) and in XX/XX/XXXX due to a Security Breach with Equifax and XXXX my Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Email, Address and Phone Numbers were found on the Dark Web. 
The two agencies failed at notifying me of the Breach. 

I then switched to Security Freeze which was free for XXXX and XXXX  and I paid {$10.00} to Equifax to place the Security Freeze. 

All three agencies provided a Security Freeze Pincode and stated it had to be provided in order to lift my security freeze and get information on my account. 

Now, no one is asking for this Pin number before providing personal information. 
I AM NO LONGER BEING PROTECTED ONCE AGAIN! 

What is the purpose of having a credit file if it's not going to be protected? 
Why was I charged {$10.00} if later I wasn't going to be protected? 
XXXX and Equifax failed at updating me of the breach why wasn't I able to join the Class-action Lawsuit. 
They were claiming the lawsuit was for the XXXX breach, not XXXX. This is severely pathetic. They have had breaches that should add more security now! 
Instead, they are all leaving accounts open and if stolen information can be shared correctly to the agents then they can get what they want. 

Today, XX/XX/XXXX I was able to lift my Security Freeze from XXXX just by providing my email address with XXXX How is that protecting my Identity? 
I do not intend to send any more money for these companies to do their jobs correctly. 

Recently, my new phone number was found again on the Dark Web and I don't intend on changing anything else. 

I was able to lift my security freeze easily from all three agencies and two were live operators. XXXX from Equifax XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX pm pst informed me that he no longer has to ask for the pin to provide personal information. How is that right? Other agents for the last few months has said the same. I have been told this for months now by agents from all three agencies. 
I have sent their corporate offices complaints and it went nowhere. 
Just like I expected! 

It's clear that someone has my information and it's clear these agencies have had breaches exposing our information, my public record shows a Chapter XXXX filed and XXXX and now it's perfectly clear that these agencies need us ( customers ) to be at risk or have information stolen and used so they can remain in business and that isn't ethical and I will check but it should be against the law. 

Why was I XXXX to start over bettering my credit just so someone else could use it and ruin it? These agencies who are no longer asking for a pin are in Violation. 
What is a Security Freeze without a Pin? 
Why was the most important question removed from these agents ' scripts? 
Because it's all a scam! 
Companies benefit when we fail at providing good credit with high scores. 
Again, Not Fair! 

I get it, we are all at risk which is what a Policeman informed me! 
That doesn't mean I should just stand and watch my information that has already been stolen be used. 

This is a complete violation of my personal information! I want new pin numbers mailed and I want my pin to be asked by each agent I speak with. 

Coronavirus of not I am now seeking legal advice, because this is getting out of control and I refuse to file chapter XXXX again due to the same issues. IDENTITY THEFT!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation