Consumer complaint received 2023-11-10
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: OH
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report

Complaint:
I have filed over 10 complaints with the CFPB in reference to Equifax 's improper use of my credit report for gross enrichment. Equifax has harassed me by causing my score to decline without merit. I spoke with an associate from Equifax on XX/XX/XXXX that revealed that my file with Equifax was opened on XX/XX/XXXX. I never had a consumer credit transaction, nor did I apply for credit on XX/XX/XXXX. I have never opened an account with Equifax on this date or any date for this matter. I have never sent a copy of my driver 's license or copy of my social security card nor any proof of mail to verify my identity to open an account with Equifax. This Equifax account was opened without my consent. I never supplied Equifax with my social security number nor gave this company access to my social security account though Equifax has this information. I am a victim of identity theft. The associate I spoke with assured me that Equifax 's behaviors adhered to FCRA regulations in. After careful examination of the FCRA I have found that, 1 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681a ( d ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( i ) which states, " the term consumer report does not include any report containing information solely as to transactions or experiences between the consumer and the person furnishing the report. 
2 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681a ( d ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( iii ) which states, " the term consumer report does not include any communication of other information among persons related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, if it is clearly and conspicuously disclosed to the consumer that the information may be communicated among such persons and the consumer is given the opportunity, before the time that the information is initially communicated to direct that such information not be communicated among such persons. 
3 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681a ( d ) ( 2 ) ( B ) which states, " the term consumer report does not include any authorization or approval of a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or similar device. 
4 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681a ( d ) ( 2 ) ( e ) which states, the term investigative consumer report means a consumer report or portion thereof in which information on a consumers character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living is obtained through personal interviews with neighbors, friends, or associates of the consumer reported on or with others with whom he is acquainted or who may have knowledge concerning any such items of information. However, such information shall not include specific factual information on a consumers credit record obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or from a consumer reporting agency when such information was obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or from the consumer. 
5 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681a ( k ) ( B ) ( iv ) ( ll ) which states " the term consumer report does not include an action taken or determination that is adverse to the interests of the consumer. ( a ) Information excluded from consumer reports 6 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ) which states, except as authorized under subsection ( b ), no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any of the following items of information : accounts placed for collection or charged to profit and loss which antedate the report by more than seven years. 
7 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681c ( a ) ( 5 ) which states, except as authorized under subsection ( b ), no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any of the following items of information : any other adverse item of information, other than records of convictions of crimes which antedates the report by more than seven years.

8 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681g ( a ) ( 1 ) which states, every consumer reporting agency shall, upon request, clearly and accurately disclose to the consumer : ALL information in the consumers file at the time of the request. I REQUEST A CONSUMER FILE WHICH IS ALL THE INFORMATION ON A CONSUMER RECORDED AND RETAINED BY A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY REGARDLESS OF HOW ITS STORED.I DID NOT CONSUMER REPORT.

9 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681g ( c ) ( 1 ) ( B ) ( iii ) which states the summary of rights to obtain and dispute information and the right of a consumer to dispute information in the FILE of the consumer under section 1681i of this title ; EQUIFAX REFUSES TO GIVE ME A FILE OF ALL INFORMATION.

10 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ) which states procedures in case of disputed accuracy. Extension of period to reinvestigate except as provided in subparagraph ( C ), the 30-day period described in subparagraph ( A ) may be extended for not more than 15 additional days if the consumer reporting agency receives information from the consumer during that 30-day period that is relevant to the reinvestigation.

11 ) Equifax is in violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 7 ) which states, a consumer reporting agency shall provide to a consumer a notice that, if requested by the consumer, a description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information shall be provided to the consumer by the agency, including the business name and address of any furnisher of information contacted in connection with such information and the telephone number of such furnisher, if reasonably available ; by not later than 15 days after receiving a request from the consumer for that description. I HAVE REQUESTED AND STILL AM REQUESTING A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE USED TO DETERMINE THE ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF INFORMATION IN MY FILE.

Equifax is liable per 15 U.S. Code 1681n - Civil liability for willful noncompliance. Any person who willfully fails to comply with any requirement imposed, with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of any actual damages sustained by the consumer, such amount of punitive damages as the court may allow ; and in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability the costs of the action together with reasonable attorneys fees as determined by the court. 


I HAVE ABUNDANT EVIDENCE OF THESE ABUSIVE PRACTICES OF EQUIFAX. I am being abused, deceived, and coerced into paying alleged debts. These accounts antedate the report by 7+ years and are adversely affecting my livelihood and have caused me severe damages. US DEPT OF EDUXXXX XXXX XXXX, # XXXX, # XXXX, # XXXX, # XXXX. Equifax has been intentionally allowing this harm to come to my name by giving me false statements of verification and reinvestigation when the information was never validated nor verified and has been reporting misleading and false information.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief