Consumer complaint received 2018-04-21
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MN
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Public record information inaccurate

Complaint:
My father took out a store credit card in his name at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX   - XXXX XXXX ) in XX/XX/2018. To allow me to run to the store and make purchases on his behalf for his home project, he added my name to the card without my knowledge. By adding my name, he did not believe this would impact my credit, as I ( XXXX XXXX ) was not present and did not authorized such transaction. He was only asked what my name was, thus, having no reason to believe that my credit would be impacted. Neither him or I had agreed that I would be somehow financially responsible or have any obligations to balances or payments on his behalf. 

I was not present or did not authorize consent for the use of my credit. My credit score, per the three credit bureau 's, was negatively impacted by the opening of the card, holding a high balance on the card ( which had been paid in full ), and the closing of the credit card. It dropped roughly 20 points. 

This is particularly concerning, especially as I became aware of this credit card after I was alerted via my XXXX XXXX and XXXX accounts. I don't know how any company can assume that I would consent to having my credit being used without my knowledge or understanding that my name was being included on the card in the first place from a party other than myself. My father tried to resolve the issue by speaking to XXXX XXXX and XXXX, but was told that it was in the fine print and that he should have been aware of a new credit policy change on the matter. Not only is this misleading, but proves to show that there is no safe guarding of an individuals financial record. What is to stop someone from adding your name onto their account without your prior knowledge. Even worse, what if they then proceed to not make payments on that card and you find out later that your credit score suddenly had dropped out of no where. What if you didn't monitor your credit as closely as I have and found out when trying to buy a house that this was preventing you from qualifying for a better interest rate? Why should you, a person who did not consent, authorize, or have prior knowledge of this credit, have your financial well-being negatively impacted? I would hope common sense would prevail here. 

Therefore, I ask that you to please remove all instances of this credit card ( opening, balances carried, and closing ) off of my credit report. I spoke with my father and he has provided me the card number and their contact information, which I have listed below. It my understanding that all balances were paid on time and that is not the concern of I am writing to you today. However, I am questing whether these credit practices that these companies employ, such as XXXX and XXXX XXXX, are ethical or practical in the sense of their duty to safe guard and protect consumers ' financial well-being and record. 

XXXX XXXX Card Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Tel : XXXX My personal and contact information is as follows : XXXX XXXX XXXX SSN # XXXX Tel : ( XXXX ) XXXX email : XXXX My father 's contact information is listed below. Feel free to reach out to him as well : XXXX XXXX XXXX Tel : ( XXXX ) XXXX Email : XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief