Consumer complaint received 2023-11-09
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report
Sub-issue: Reporting company used your report improperly

Complaint:
On XX/XX/23 I filed a CFPB complaint for EQUIFAX collecting, sharing and furnishing non-public private information without any lawful authority or legal obligation and without the consumer 's consent. EQUIFAX is obligated by the CFPB to furnish information that is accurate, fair, equitable and to respect the consumer 's right to " PRIVACY ''. However, EQUIFAX responded that the information was verified. 

Pursuant to 15 U.S. Code 1611- Criminal liability for willful and knowing violation. Whoever willfully and knowingly ( 1 ) gives false or inaccurate information or fails to provide information which he is required to disclose under the provisions of this subchapter or any regulation issued thereunder, shall be fined not more than {$5000.00} or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. 

EQUIFAX responded to my dispute that these accounts belong to me. " XXXX XXXX EQUIFAX VERIFIED THAT THIS ITEM BELONGS TO YOU. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX EQUIFAX VERIFIED THAT THIS ITEM BELONGS TO YOU ''. But how can EQUIFAX verify account that it has no " legal obligation '' or " lawful authority '' to report in the first place. 15 U.S. Code 1681- Congressional findings and statement of purpose. ( 3 ) Consumer reporting agencies have " ASSUMED '' a vital role in assembling and evaluating consumer credit and other information on consumers. By what and whose lawful authority does EQUIFAX have to collect, share, furnish, assemble or store Private American information the consumer never give them any written or verbal permission to share in the first place? 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( a ) Subject to subsection ( c ), any consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report under the following circumstances and no other : 1. ( 1 ) In response to the order of a court having jurisdiction to issue such an order, a subpoena issued in connection with proceedings before a Federal grand jury. ( 2 ) In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates. EQUIFAX have no lawful authority Or legal obligation to collect Private American non-public information without consent. EQUIFAX is blatantly violating the FCRA and trespassing on trust property.

By what and whose power does EQUIFAX have to compel the consumer to do business with them? collecting, sharing and monetizing private non-public information without the consumer 's consent is identity theft. 15 USC 1681a ( q ) ( 3 ) " Identity theft '' means a fraud committed or attempted using the identifying information of another person without authority. I do not have any contract with EQUIFAX neither was there any clear and conspicuous disclosure given to me that my private non-public information was being shared. EQUIFAX is obligated by the FCRA to furnish information that is fair, equitable and with maximum accuracy. Said company is also liable under the CFPB to remain complaint with Federal laws, regulations and to respect the consumer 's right to privacy. None of which has been honored. EQUIFAX INC commission file number XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. SAID company is still reporting inaccurate, false, misleading information about the consumer in an attempt to extort payment from the consumer.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation