Consumer complaint received 2023-06-03
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report
Sub-issue: Reporting company used your report improperly

Complaint:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX SSN : XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX GA XXXX RE : Reinvestigation -XXXX XXXX XXXX Dear Equifax, I have no idea who is verifying this fraudulent collection account, but I can assure you that I have never done any business with this company. XXXX credit bureau does not have this information on my report, also. Just because your company verified this account, your company still failed to send the procedures or the steps on how this account legally binds me to owe them {$120.00}? I didnt sign any papers. I need to see the original documents from the XXXX XXXX XXXX company with my signature as an exchange of their products and services if youre going to keep reporting this information on my report. I didnt give this company permission to report anything on my report. I didnt purchase any products or services from this company. I demand proof showing where I signed to have set up any payments with the company. You wont have that because I have never done business with XXXX XXXX XXXX. So how could I owe them anything? This is absolute fraud and I demand this be reinvested thoroughly and deleted immediately. This fraudulent collection is harming my everyday life costing me thousands of dollars. I will not stand for it any longer. I have never even heard of this company. Your company has absolutely broken several consumer laws. I have included them in my reinvestigation dispute letter below. I request action be taken immediately. I will also be filing a complaint with FTC on this fraudulent company, XXXX XXXX XXXX, if we can not get this issue resolved immediately. 

Under USC 1681c-1 ( a ) a ) One-call fraud alerts ( 1 ) Initial alerts Upon the direct request of a consumer, or an individual acting on behalf of or as a personal representative of a consumer, who asserts in good faith a suspicion that the consumer has been or is about to become a victim of fraud or related crime, including identity theft, a consumer reporting agency described in section 1681a ( p ) of this title that maintains a file on the consumer and has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester shall ( A ) include a fraud alert in the file of that consumer, and also provide that alert along with any credit score generated in using that file, for a period of not less than 1 year, beginning on the date of such request, unless the consumer or such representative requests that such fraud alert be removed before the end of such period, and the agency has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester for such purpose ; Equifax its your duty to protect my score, which controls my life, from fraudulent and inaccurate companies. I can assure you that XXXX XXXX XXXX is fraudulent and does not belong to me. Please remove this fraudulent account from my report immediately. 

Under 15 USC 6801 Protection of nonpublic personal information ( a ) Privacy obligation policy It is the policy of the Congress that each financial institution has an affirmative and continuing obligation to respect the privacy of its customers and to protect the security and confidentiality of those customers nonpublic personal information.

( b ) Financial institutions safeguards In furtherance of the policy in subsection ( a ), each agency or authority described in section 6805 ( a ) of this title, other than the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, shall establish appropriate standards for the financial institutions subject to their jurisdiction relating to administrative, technical, and physical safeguards ( 1 ) to insure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information ; ( 2 ) to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records ; and ( 3 ) to protect against unauthorized access to or use of such records or information which could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.

Under 15 USC 1681b Permissible purpose of consumer ( a ) In general Subject to subsection ( c ), any consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report under the following circumstances and no other : ( 1 ) In response to the order of a court having jurisdiction to issue such an order, a subpoena issued in connection with proceedings before a Federal grand jury, or a subpoena issued in accordance with section 5318 of title 31 or section 3486 of title 18.

( 2 ) In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates.

( 3 ) To a person which it has reason to believe ( A ) intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and involving the extension of credit to, or review or collection of an account of, the consumer ; or ( B ) intends to use the information for employment purposes ; or ( C ) intends to use the information in connection with the underwriting of insurance involving the consumer ; or ( D ) intends to use the information in connection with a determination of the consumers eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a governmental instrumentality required by law to consider an applicants financial responsibility or status ; or ( E ) intends to use the information, as a potential investor or servicer, or current insurer, in connection with a valuation of, or an assessment of the credit or prepayment risks associated with, an existing credit obligation ; or ( F ) otherwise has a legitimate business need for the information ( i ) in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer ; or ( ii ) to review an account to determine whether the consumer continues to meet the terms of the account.

( G ) executive departments and agencies in connection with the issuance of government-sponsored individually billed travel charge cards.

I know mistakes happen, but my credit should not have to suffer because of this mistake. My credit score reflects myself, and I take these discrepancies very seriously. Not only is my credit score suffering from this mistake, but it is harming my everyday life. Lenders will not do business with me because they deem me irresponsible. As a result, I am not able to purchase my first home. I demand that this account be removed from my report immediately if your company can not provide the information requested above. I will await a response or action taken within 30 days. 

Thanks

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation