Consumer complaint received 2022-12-26
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX
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:
I have recently submitted a complaint against ALL 3 credit bureaus for misuse and fraudulent activity of my credit/consumer report. According to the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ), the agencies willingly committed/commits fraud daily and also misinformed me as the consumer and didn't make the agreement clear and conspicuous that I could opt out, it was portrayed as if I could only opt in. They have been unfair, impartial and lacks respect for my right to privacy and consent. IT WAS NEVER MADE CLEAR TO ME WHAT WAS GOING ON. 

15 U.S. Code 1681- Congressional findings and statement of purpose 15 U.S. Code 1681 ( a ) ( 1 ) The banking system is dependent upon fair and accurate credit reporting. Inaccurate credit reports directly impair the efficiency of the banking system, and unfair credit reporting methods undermine the public confidence which is essential to the continued functioning of the banking system. 

15 U.S. Code 1681 ( a ) ( 4 ) There is a need to insure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumers right to privacy.

Title 15 CHAPTER 94 SUBCHAPTER II 6821 15 U.S. Code 6821 - Privacy protection for customer information of financial institutions 15 U.S. Code 6821 ( a ) Prohibition on obtaining customer information by false pretenses. It shall be a violation of this subchapter for any person to obtain or attempt to obtain, or cause to be disclosed or attempt to cause to be disclosed to any person, customer information of a financial institution relating to another person ( XXXX ) by making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation to an XXXX, employee, or agent of a financial institution. 
( 2 ) by making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation to a customer of a financial institution; or ( 3 ) by providing any document to an officer, employee, or agent of a financial institution, knowing that the document is forged, counterfeit, lost, or stolen, was fraudulently obtained, or contains a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation. 

15 U.S. Code 6823 - Criminal penalty 15 U.S. Code 6823 ( a ) In general Whoever knowingly and intentionally violates, or knowingly and intentionally attempts to violate, section 6821 of this title shall be fined in accordance with title 18 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.

15 U.S. Code 6823 ( b ) Enhanced penalty for aggravated cases Whoever violates, or attempts to violate, section 6821 of this title while violating another law of the United States or as part of a pattern of any illegal activity involving more than {$100000.00} in a 12-month period shall be fined twice the amount provided in subsection ( b ) ( 3 ) or ( c ) ( 3 ) ( as the case may be ) of section 3571 of title 18, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both. 

15 U.S. Code 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.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation