Consumer complaint received 2018-02-13
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA
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:
I pulled a copy of my three bureau report back on Wednesday XX/XX/XXXX and noticed several fraudulent accounts appearing on my Equifax, XXXX , & XXXX credit reports. These accounts included 2 XXXX XXXX accounts, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, and two accounts from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. In addition there were numerous addresses, and inquiries listed on all 3 reports as well. I contacted Equifax the same day which again was Wednesday XX/XX/XXXX and was told to go file a police report, and they was place an initial fraud alert on my report as well. The very next day I contacted an attorney and explained my situation. The attorney instructed me that once I have the police report, I should request all three bureaus to block the fraudulent information within 4 business days once they receive my request under the Fair Credit Reporting Act Section 605B. On XX/XX/XXXX I went down to my local police department and filed my police report. I went back down to the police station on XX/XX/XXXX and received my official police report. Due to the holidays, I sent my first request to all three credit bureaus to block fraudulent information within 4 business as outlined by Section 605B of the FCRA on XX/XX/XXXX. I faxed Equifax, & XXXX the request, and I mailed XXXX this request as well. Approximately two weeks later around XX/XX/XXXX I received letters from all three bureaus. XXXX  blocked all fraudulent accounts as listed above, XXXX followed suit and blocked this information as well. Equifax only blocked 3 of the accounts which includes the two XXXX XXXX, & XXXX XXXX. But did not block the remaining fraudulent accounts XXXX XXXX XXXX, & the 2 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX accounts. Next I contacted Equifax on XX/XX/XXXX and spoke with a representative and asked how come they did not block the remaining 3 accounts. I was told that XXXX XXXX XXXX, along with XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX verified the accounts. So, I asked what do you mean verified the accounts, the accounts are fraudulent, the representative stated they verified the accounts matching my last name and the last 4 digits of my social. I was totally taken aback because these accounts are totally fraudulent, I've never had an account with XXXX XXXX, nor have I ever been through Child Support. Besides the law is very clear, and I was told by the attorney that Equifax is in violation of federal law which states they are required to block fraudulent information within 4 business days of receiving my request as long as I provide appropriate proof of identity which I provided a copy of my driver 's license, and social security card. I also provided them a copy of my identity theft report from the FTC, a copy of a Police Report, and an ID Theft Affidavit. Lastly, I included the following statement in all my requests, the information is not information relating to any transaction that I have made. I spoke with a supervisor from Equifax before I recently sent my 3rd request to block fraudulent information who stated they do not block information, even-though I provided all the correct documentation. He went on state that it's up to the data furnishers to block fraudulent information. So in essence they are really conducting a re-investigation. After speaking with several attorneys, as well as with a representative from the Federal Trade Commission I'm a consumer who really understands how this law works. I also, understand they have a right to declind or rescend a block request. This would happen only when the following takes place. Which is if the information was blocked in error. Or if the block request of information by the consumer was based on material misrepresentation, or lastly, if the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result of the block. None of which happened or is true. Even if the data furnisher rescind the block, the credit bureaus are to notify me in writing within 5 business days as outlined by the FCRA, which is the same law for reinsertion of information1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ). Which again never happened.Equifax has erred in following proper procedures as outlined in Section 605B of The Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation