Consumer complaint received 2019-02-05
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Sub-issue: Personal information incorrect

Complaint:
I wanted to temporarily lift my security freeze so I could raise my credit limit on a credit card. Lifting the freeze with XXXX and XXXX went quickly -- no problems. When I contacted Equifax, the questions went on interminably. I've been XXXX for 35 years. They were asking detailed questions about my previous job, in XXXX, answers to which I know weren't in my credit report. I answered all the questions, but they kept going. I asked to talk to a manager, which I eventually did, but I had to ask at least 6 times. The manager/supervising did the same with the unending questions. I'm not sure which person I spoke to who tried to step me through the process of getting the annual report online -- I've lost track of how many times I called -- but the person told me wrong -- said to go to next report twice -- and I ended up with no report. After at least an hour on the phone, I was pretty frustrated, particularly when compared to the no-problem experience with the other two reporting agencies. So when the call ended, I left the lowest ratings for the two questions on their survey : one about the effectiveness of the person ; one about recommending Equifax. I'm sorry I can't remember exactly who I spoke with, etc, but there finally was someone who said they would lift the freeze. Two days later, I received two letters from Equifax. I was stunned to see the letters addressed to me had a different, insulting middle name. A long time ago -- maybe 15 or 20 years -- I started receiving credit card and other solicitations using my name, but an incorrect middle initial. I tried to delete it from junk mail places etc, but was not successful. At one point I think I learned what the middle initial stood for -- can't remember now. These two letters from Equifax -- one to confirm my security freeze in XXXX and how to lift it and one to say the security freeze was lifted -- was addressed to my name, but with an insulting middle name, using the incorrect middle initial. This was obviously in retaliation for my complaints and low survey scores about the abominable service I received from them. On XX/XX/XXXX, I called and asked to talk to a manager and was told I couldn't. After questioning why not several times, I was eventually told I could, but perhaps she could help. I complained about the name change and the round of questions started all over again. I asked to know which name was in their files as associated with my social security number. She first said she wouldn't tell me. Finally I was told the dispute would be filed. I also requested that they put a note on the file that I thought the name change was insulting, unprofessional, and I didn't think much of them for doing it. 
At the end of that conversation, I asked again which name is associated with my SSN and she said the name with the insulting middle name. I've called Social Security to confirm they still have the correct middle name. They do and said it can't be changed except by a formal written request. I've called XXXX  and confirmed they have the correct name. This probably won't go beyond Equifax, but many companies get their info from Equifax ; I don't know where that incorrect name might end up.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation