Consumer complaint received 2018-10-18
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: LA
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes

Complaint:
I filed a identity report with the police dept and FTC ( report # XXXX ) and mailed the report into the credit bureaus. The item was removed and a 7 year fraud alert was placed on my report on XX/XX/XXXX and is valid until XXXX. I applied for a credit card and was approved, but can't receive the credit card until the fraud alert is removed. I called XXXX, Equifax and XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, to request the unauthorized alert be removed. XXXX and XXXX, removed the alert, but Equifax refused to remove the alert. And stated that the information was provided to them by XXXX  and they would not remove it, XXXX would have to notify them of the remoavl. 

I called XXXX back and ask them to notify Equifax of the removal and they stated that they only notify the bureaus of the addition of the alert and not the removal of the alert. And refuse to correct the matter. I have never requested a fraud alert be placed on my report and it was done without verbal or written consent. In addition my credit report has a fraudulent statement, that states the following : " Statements Personal Statement ( s ) XXXX & XXXX XXXX ID FRAUD VICTIM ALERT FRAUDULENT APPLICATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN MY NAME OR MY IDENTITY MAY HAVE BEEN USED WITHOUT MY CONSENT TO FRAUDULENTLY OBTAIN GOODS OR SERVICES. DO NOT EXTEND CREDIT WITHOUT FIRST CONTACTING ME PERSONALLY AND VERIFYING ALL APPLICATION INFORMATION AT DAY XXXX OR EVENING XXXX. THIS VICTIM ALERT WILL BE MAINTAINED FOR SEVEN YEARS BEGINNING XXXX. '' I have never given a verbal or written statement to this effect and I have never requested a fraud alert to be placed on my credit file. 

The heading says " PERSONAL STATEMENT '' This is a clear case of fraud and misuse of the credit reporting bureaus. To add a statement and fraud alert that, was created inhouse and in addition, they have provide both landline/home phone numbers to the entire internet community, without my permission. If someone is seeking information to steal my credit again, they have now given out the answers to a possible security question.

What phone number ( s ) have you been you had in the past? and the answers are right there on my report, in addition to giving marketers, my home phone numbers to now call on and pass around the internet community!!!! There are a number of lenders and credit card providers that will not extend credit or loans to me as long as this alert is on my credit. WHICH HAS CAUSE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP FOR ME! I have asked XXXX to contact Equifax and assist with this matter, to no avail and I have asked Equifax to remove the alert to no avail. As my credit stands I can't use my credit in a manner, of my choosing. Because these bureaus are holding my credit XXXX for the next 7 years ( UNTIL XXXX ). 

There needs to be a better system of checks and balances, to allow the credit bureaus to place a alert without the consumer permission, create a statement in the consumers name, without permission and to publish the consumer 's home and personal contact information, without permission. Is a gross abuse of power and clear violation of the FCRA. The statement is fraudulent, in every sense of the word.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief