Consumer complaint received 2020-01-23
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: IL
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:
In XX/XX/XXXX, I discovered that multiple credit card accounts were opened in my name without my knowing or authorization. I also received an XXXX traffic citation in the mail for driving with no insurance in XX/XX/XXXX, upon further investigation it was obvious that I had become a victim of identity theft. Also, in XX/XX/XXXX someone broke into my vehicle stealing a bag that contained personal documentation including birth certificate, social security card, state ID, existing credit cards and a cell phone. This information was then used to obtain new credit and resulted in the accumulation of fraud charges. I discovered that these accounts were opened in my name in XX/XX/XXXX. I immediately contacted all of the creditors and the 3 major credit reporting agencies Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX. Since then all but one fraudulent account has been cleared from my Credit Reports including XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX. 
The tradeline that has not been removed from XXXX, Equifax, And XXXX   credit report is " XXXX XXXX XXXX Acct # XXXX. Since XX/XX/XXXX, I  have been providing the creditor and the Credit Bureaus ( XXXX, Equifax, And XXXX ) with CLEAR supporting evidence that this account was opened as the result of Identity theft still XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, Equifax, And XXXX continues to report this inaccurate information despite of all the documentation that has been sent in clarifying that this account was opened fraudulently. 
This is the ONLY derogatory mark on any of my credit reports, other than this FRAUD derogatory " XXXX XXXX XXXX Acct # XXXX account, my credit is absolutely perfect. This fraudulent account is killing my scores potential. This fraudulent account " XXXX XXXX XXXX Acct # XXXX is preventing me from securing the best mortgage rates to purchase a home, expanding my business credit and a variety of other important things that require accurate credit reporting. The credit reporting agencies XXXX, Equifax, XXXX and creditor claim they are doing a thorough investigation to verify this information is correct, but have not provided me with any documentation that is required under FCRA or any information at all for that matter. The only thing that I have received from the creditor and the credit reporting agencies ( XXXX, Equifax, XXXX ) is that the information has been " Verified. '' How can an account that was opened as the result of Identity theft be " Verified ''? the unverified item " XXXX XXXX XXXX Acct # XXXX remains on my credit report in violation of Federal Law. XXXX, Equifax, XXXX are required under the FCRA to have a copy of the original creditor 's documentation on file to verify that this information is mine and is correct. In the results of their investigations, they've stated in writing that XXXX XXXX XXXX Acct # XXXX has been verified that this item is being reported correctly? Who verified this account? I have NOT been provided a copy of ANY original documentation ( a consumer contract with my signature on it ) as required under Section 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) & Section 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ). Furthermore, they have failed to provide the method of verification as required under Section 611 ( a ) ( 7 ). Please be advised that under Section 611 ( 5 ) ( A ) of the FCRA ( XXXX, Equifax, XXXX ) are required to promptly DELETE all  information which can not be verified. 
The outstanding balance on fraudulent account XXXX XXXX XXXX Acct # XXXX remains at {$5200.00}

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief