Consumer complaint received 2017-10-09
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL
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: Difficulty submitting a dispute or getting information about a dispute over the phone

Complaint:
I filed a Fraud Alert with Equifax on around XX/XX/XXXX.
I have not heard back from them since then.
I did get a letter in the mail from XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX.
It is my understanding that if I have a Fraud Alert no one can open an account under my name unless they contact me.
Today, XX/XX/XXXX, I received and e-mail from from XXXX XXXX that XXXX XXXX/XXXX  and XXXX XXXX had run a Hard Inquiry on my credit. 
A few minutes later XXXX sent me a similar e-mail and called me on my cell phone. 

I call XXXX. They started an investigation in the Hard Inquiry.
A Hard Inquiry not only lower my Credit Score ; but, is also an  indicator of fraud. 

I filed and Identity Theft Report at www.ftc.gov. 
The FTC emailed me instructions to file a Fraud Alerts with the Credit Bureaus and later to contact the Fraud Department of XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX. 
so both companies could remove the Hard Inquiry off of my credit reports. 

I followed the FTC 's instruction and contacted XXXX the credit agency that conducted BOTH Hard Inquires. I filed an Initial Fraud Report with XXXX. 
They e-mailed me back quickly. 

I tried to file another Fraud Alert with Equifax today, and I received an ERROR MESSAGE. 
Something is WRONG with this Credit Bureau. 

I then called XXXX XXXX/XXXX, XXXX, Florida, XXXX at XXXX. 
After one hour on the phone speaking to two of their Fraud Department folks, I found a manager that could help me out. XXXX filed the paperwork to remove the Hard Inquiry off of my Credit Report. IT WILL TAKE 90 DAYS to fix my Credit Report. 
I find this unacceptable, unconscionable, malevolent, and evidence that this company engages in unfair business practices. 

I then called XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, Utah XXXX at XXXX After one hour on the phone speaking to two of their Fraud Department folks, I found a manager that could help me out. XXXX filed the paperwork to remove the Hard Inquiry off of my Credit Report. IT WILL TAKE 90 DAYS to fix my Credit Report. 
Again, I find this unacceptable, unconscionable, malevolent, and evidence that this company engages in unfair business practices. 

In summary, I need your assistance in ensuring that Equifax posts a Fraud Alert on my credit information. In my opinion, all government contracts should be pulled from this company IMMEDIATELY and an investigation on unfair business practices initiated. 

I also need you assistance in following up with BOTH XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX. I do not understand why BOTH are not interested in stopping identity fraud. 
I have a XXXX year old XXXX Veteran. It does not bother me to stay on the phone ONE HOUR to get things done. Hard working taxpayers do have the time to do this. 
The business practices of these two companies needs to be revised and changed. 

I do not understand why it will TAKE THEM 90 DAYS to fix my credit report. 
These two companies should also be investigated for unfair business practice. 
I appreciate you support. 

Very respectfully, XXXX XXXX, XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation