Consumer complaint received 2021-09-15
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Information belongs to someone else

Complaint:
I have been communicating and contacting EQUIFAX since the XXXX of XXXX in order to remove an account that is reporting as a result of identity theft. I have sent this Credit Reporting Agency the required information several times which included the following as required by 15 USC 1681c-2 ; proof of identity, copy of identity theft report, identification of such information and a statement that this is not relating from any transaction by myself. 
I have done everything required by this section of the Fair Credit Reporting Act several times. However, EQUIFAX and its employed staff continue to ignore the law in regard to these matters, The information was already removed prior to XXXX and then placed back onto my consumer report WITHOUT any notification, then on XX/XX/XXXX After sending a new packet an agent named XXXX submitted the internal dispute to block and remove the account within 4-5 business days confirming that I sent in all the required information necessary confirmation # XXXX. I made a follow up call on XX/XX/XXXX and spoke to an agent named XXXX to inquire as to why the information wasn't removed yet and he stated that the investigation was still pending but that they had all the information they needed to block the account I was asked to be patient with them. On XX/XX/XXXX I once again called and spoke to an Agent named XXXX who stated that He could not find the necessary information to block the account which I stated was disturbing since I had already sent the documentation and all the other agents confirmed receipt of it. He instructed me to Fax the information again and I told him that I would both Fax and Mail the documentation priority express mail, which I did the next day. On XX/XX/XXXX I called and spoke to another agent named XXXX and explained to him my frustration about the procedures they have not respecting the law and mishandling my file, I explained to him everything I sent and how many times I sent it. After looking up the information he told me he would speak to his specialist and after doing so stated that the specialist would be blocking and removing this account again from my file which I confirmed would be done within the 4-5 business day time frame. Today I called again after checking my consumer report and noticing that this information was STILL reporting fraudulently on my report. I called EQUIFAX again and got another agent from the Identity theft department. I read him my confirmation number and when he checked it he said the information was still pending and that they were waiting on the investigation. I quickly reviewed the law 15 USC 1681c-2 ( a ) with the agent and stated that everything necessary had been provided by myself as the consumer involved to remove and block the account. I explained that the law said NOTHING about an investigation being needed in order to remove and block the account and that it was supposed to be removed within 4-5 business days through their internal dispute as the previous agent had said. The agent claiming he was familiar with the law stated that they still needed to wait the full investigation time in order to block the account and stated that is the procedure at EQUIFAX. I notified him that the law says exactly what is supposed to be done by both parties and how the information was already supposed to be blocked based on the information I provided as the consumer and NOT based on the company fraudulently reporting the information. The company doesn't dictate what should be removed and when, the Law, Fair Credit Reporting Act determine what is to be done and after submitting everything required by law this account should already have been removed. I realized the agent was unwilling to assist me and also did not possess knowledge of what the law said as required by 15 USC 1681. I notified him that a investigation can not be done electronically and that no one is being interviewed to determine any facts, stating that the company just being able to click a button and claim that the information is verified and not reporting fraudulently is not fair to me as a consumer and that is exactly why the law was made to protect consumers such as myself from these acts. I am once again resending what I both mailed AND faxed EQUIFAX several times. As ALL the agents have stated I have submitted EVERYTHING required to block and remove the information reporting resulting from identity theft yet EQUIFAX and its employyes have failed to do what is required by Federal Law. Both XXXX and XXXX have removed this fraudulently reported information due to identity theft and EQUIFAX is the purposefully reporting this negative in an effort to further tarnish my general reputation as a consumer.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation