Consumer complaint received 2022-02-02
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Unable to get your credit report or credit score
Sub-issue: Problem getting your free annual credit report

Complaint:
Hello, I received the following advisement from Equifax : Claim No. XXXX Dear XXXX XXXX XXXX : You filed a claim in the Equifax Data Breach Settlement and chose to receive free, three-bureau ( Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX ) credit monitoring from XXXX for XXXX years. Implementation of the Settlement was delayed by appeals ; however, the Settlement is now effective because appellate courts have affirmed it. This email provides additional information about the services provided by XXXX as part of the Settlement and how you can enroll. 

You are receiving free membership in XXXX XXXX for XXXX years. You must enroll by XX/XX/2022. 

This service is free for you and provided as a Settlement benefit. You do not need to provide any payment information to enroll and you do not need to cancel the service when it ends. We encourage you to enroll today. 



HOW TO ENROLL : Visit the XXXX XXXX Website : XXXX Enter Your Activation Code : XXXX You must use the above code to enroll by XX/XX/2022 ( your activation code will not work after this date ). 
If you have questions, need help with Identity Restoration ( either because you were a victim of fraud or identity theft ) because of the Equifax data breach, or would like another way to sign up for XXXX XXXX, please call XXXX customer care team toll-free at XXXX. So that the team may better serve you, please be prepared to provide them with engagement number XXXX so that you may access the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for assistance with fraud or identity theft. For more information on Identity Restoration services, visit www.experianidworks.com/equifaxsettlement. 



Your XXXX XXXX Membership includes : Daily Credit Monitoring* from each of the three nationwide Consumer Reporting Agencies showing key changes to your Consumer Reports ; Automated alerts when new accounts are opened ; inquiries or requests for credit reports are made for the purpose of determining credit ; changes to address ; and negative information ( including delinquencies or bankruptcies ) ; On-demand online access to a copy of your XXXX Consumer Report, updated monthly ; Automated non-credit alerts, using public or proprietary data sources, for example : when certain information is found on suspicious website or the dark web ; when names, aliases, and addresses have been associated with your Social Security Number ; when a payday loan or unsecured credit has been taken or opened using your Social Security Number ; when your information matches information in arrest or criminal court records ; when your information is used for identity authentication ; when your mail has been redirected through the U.S. Postal Service; when banking activity is detected related to new deposit account applications, changes to personal information, and new signers are added to accounts ; and when a balance is reported on your credit line that has been inactive for at least six months ; Up to One Million in Identity Theft Insurance** which provides coverage for certain costs and unauthorized electronic fund transfers ; A customer service center to assist with enrollment, monitoring alerts, disputes, fraud, and other Credit Monitoring Service questions ; Full Identity Restoration Service if you are the victim of fraud or identity theft ( which includes a dedicated identity theft restoration specialist who will provide you with step-by-step assistance, and form letters to contact companies, government agencies, and Consumer Reporting Agencies ), and Child Monitoring Services ( for Class Members under the age of eighteen ). 

For more information about XXXX XXXX, or if you can not register online, please call XXXX toll-free at XXXX. 

If you have any questions about the XXXX, please call the Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX at XXXX. 

Sincerely, Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX BUT ... 
After numerous calls, I was met with a website that would not reply with my credit report, and when I called the furnished telephone number, 2 times! ; was met with incompetant and unillegigible people on the phone. 
And typically disconnected after many, many minutes while being place on hold. 

It seems their response program has been staffed with low level personnel ; who are somewhat incompentant, unknowledgable ; and not able to navigate the terms of the FTC & the CFPB agreeement between the United States Government and Equifax. 

Help? ... or no?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation