Consumer complaint received 2023-04-04
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: IN
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Investigation took more than 30 days

Complaint:
In XXXX I received a check for {$5.00} as a settlement for the Equifax data breach settlement. I deposited it at my bank on XX/XX/XXXX. A few days later, my bank took the money back from me and said it was returned from the bank it was drawn from as Duplicate Presentation, meaning was deposited at a different bank. 

I emailed XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX explaining this and informed them I have not deposited the check at any other bank, since I don't have an account at any other bank to deposit to. I received ticket # XXXX for tracking. 

They responded on XX/XX/XXXX saying their records show my settlement check has been cashed or deposited, as such they are unable to reissue my payment. I replied on XX/XX/XXXX, I did ATTEMPT to cash it with my credit union, XXXX, but they told me it had previously been cashed at a different institution and took the money back. I have not cashed it at any other institution. Can you find out where it was cashed and who signed for it? I am now concerned that whoever has done this may have my personal information and could use it to commit fraud under my name. Getting the name of the bank and copy of the check will help track down the person fraudulently using my name. Please respond as soon as you can. 

XX/XX/XXXX they replied on ticket XXXX, Dear XXXX, We have reviewed our records and have confirmed that this check has not been cashed or deposited at any other bank by any other person. If you still have the check, you may deposit the check again. If you no longer have the check and would like to have it reissued, please confirm by replying to this email with that request. 

I replied XX/XX/XXXX, So, I don't understand ... I originally cashed the check with XXXX my credit union. They later took the funds back from me because your bank told them the check had been previously cashed at another institution, and took the funds back from them. Are you saying that was done incorrectly? If so, please reissue the check as I do not have the original check. 

I heard nothing so on XX/XX/XXXX I emailed again, Has a replacement check been mailed yet? I have not received anything yet. 

XX/XX/XXXX I received another XXXX  email from them on ticket XXXX : Dear XXXX, Our records show that your Settlement payment check has been cashed or deposited. As such, we are unable to reissue your payment. Obviously they didn't read any of the history on this complaint. 

I replied XX/XX/XXXX : Are we going to go through this again??? I was told my original check was already deposited. I was rightfully concerned and I wanted to know who cashed it and where because I did not, and now I'm concerned about identity theft since I didn't cash the check. Once I pointed that out, someone replied and said, oh it wasn't cashed anywhere else and I requested it to be resent to me since I didn't have the original check. 
So either : ( A ) Provide me with the name and location of the bank where it was cashed, or ( B ) Send me a new check. 

XX/XX/XXXX I sent them another email forwarding the email where another of their staff told me the check had NOT been cashed by anyone else. 

XX/XX/XXXX No response, so I emailed again : Either ( A ) someone else has cashed my settlement check, which is a crime, and I need all the information about this so I can file a police report for identity theft, or ( B ) you'll magically find like someone did last time that when I requested info on the crime that occurred that you have info on, that it actually didn't happen and you will reissue my check. 
Pick one and reply to me. 

They have not replied since that time.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation