Consumer complaint received 2023-05-14
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: OH
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:
Several days ago I called and spoke with Supervisors at Equifax regarding unauthorized inquiries on my credit report. I have contacted the Creditors hundreds of times and have even been advised they dont have anything with my name on it. There are multiple inquiries on my credit report that I do not recognize. I was told to file a complaint with the FTC and also send in a copy of my ID and social security card VIA FAX which I am attaching. Also attaching a copy of a filed police report for identify theft. Please remove the following inquiries from my report. Didn't give permissible purpose to obtain my credit file. I'm also providing you with the required documents ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer. 
you now have 4 days from receipt of said documents to remove the inaccuracies. 
See below PLEASE REMOVE THE FOLLOWING INQUIRIES XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Per the Fair Credit Reporting Act 15USC 1681 Section 605B STATES 605B. Block of information resulting from identity theft [ 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ] ( a ) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer report- ing agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer.

616. Civil liability for willful noncompliance [ 15 U.S.C. 1681n ] ( a ) In general. Any person who willfully fails to comply with any require- ment imposed under this title with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of ( 1 ) ( A ) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or damages of not less than {$100.00} and not more than {$1000.00} ; or ( B ) in the case of liability of a natural person for obtaining a consumer report under false pretenses or knowingly without a permissible purpose, actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or {$1000.00}, whichever is greater ; ( 2 ) such amount of punitive damages as the court may allow ; and ( 3 ) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action together with reasonable attorneys fees as determined by the court.

617. Civil liability for negligent noncompliance [ 15 U.S.C. 1681o ] ( a ) In general. Any person who is negligent in failing to comply with any requirement imposed under this title with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of ( 1 ) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the fail- ure ; and ( 2 ) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action together with reasonable attorneys fees as determined by the court.

( b ) Attorneys fees. On a finding by the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or other paper filed in connection with an action under this sec- tion was filed in bad faith or for purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorneys fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading, motion, or other paper.

Thank you for your prompt attention on this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation