Consumer complaint received 2022-05-15
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2022, I received a letter from Equifax stating that a fraudulent account that was previously disputed and removed under The Fairs Credit Act 605b for Identity Theft, was re-inserted to my consumer file ( I have attached this letter for reference ). On XXXX, XXXX, 2022 a certified letter was mailed to Equifax reporting the fraudulent crime ( XXXX Tracking # : XXXX ). All supporting documentation was submitted with the dispute of the fraudulent account including an Official Police Report from the XXXX Police Department confirming the Identity Theft on XX/XX/2022. Equifax removed removed the account under The Fairs Credit Act after receiving the supporting documentation. A letter was also sent to the Furnishing company including a cease and desist letter upon which they agreed to. As of XXXX, XXXX, 2022 ( according to the letter sent by Equifax ), the fraudulent account has now been re-inserted to my consumer credit report with the addition of a collection account from the same furnishing company XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ). Due to this re-insertion and in addition to the collection account, this fraudulent account that HAS BEEN CONFIRMED AS IDENITY THEFT is causing severe financial hardship for myself and my family. Equifax stated that " the company certified that the account belongs to me '' WITHOUT explaining how this certification was determined. According to Section 605B of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, " ( a ) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer.

( b ) Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of information identified by the consumer under subsection ( a ) -- ( 1 ) that the information may be a result of identity theft ; ( 2 ) that an identity theft report has been filed ; ( 3 ) that a block has been requested under this section; and ( 4 ) of the effective dates of the block. '' EQUIFAX is in DIRECT violation of my rights under the Fairs Credit Act 605b by reinserting this fraudulent information in addition to the collection account by the same furnishing company. This is CLEARY a VIOLATION as the XXXX XXXX XXXX police Department is under State Law and confirmed the existence of Identity Theft from this account. I have attached all supporting documents including the Official State Of Florida XXXX XXXX Police Department Police Report. I am reporting this violation of my rights under the Fairs Credit Act to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation