Consumer complaint received 2020-03-15
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Unable to get your credit report or credit score
Sub-issue: Problem getting your free annual credit report

Complaint:
Equifax refuses to send me my FREE Annual Credit Report as required by the FCRA. Everytime I submit documents they ask, they keep on sending me a letter of which is enclosed with this complaint. 

When I call Equifax, the operator says they'll send me my Credit Report ONLY if I pay them a fee using a valid credit card. This is a shake down and is criminal. Serval times I have called and the operator at Equifax has always asked me for a credit card. I feel I am being scammed by Equifax because they don't want to send me my FREE annual report upon request. 

The FCRA provides in relevant part : 1681b. Permissible purposes of consumer reports ( a ) In general Subject to subsection ( c ), any consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report under the following circumstances and no other : ( 1 ) In response to the order of a court having jurisdiction to issue such an order, or a subpoena issued in connection with proceedings before a Federal grand jury. 

( 2 ) In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates.

( 3 ) To a person which it has reason to believe- ( A ) intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and involving the extension of credit to, or review or collection of an account of, the consumer ; or ( B ) intends to use the information for employment purposes ; or ( C ) intends to use the information in connection with the underwriting of insurance involving the consumer ; or ( D ) intends to use the information in connection with a determination of the consumer 's eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a governmental instrumentality required by law to consider an applicant 's financial responsibility or status ; or ( E ) intends to use the information, as a potential investor or servicer, or current insurer, in connection with a valuation of, or an assessment of the credit or prepayment risks associated with, an existing credit obligation ; or ( F ) otherwise has a legitimate business need for the information- ( i ) in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer ; or ( ii ) to review an account to determine whether the consumer continues to meet the terms of the account.

( G ) executive departments and agencies in connection with the issuance of government-sponsored individually-billed travel charge cards.

( 4 ) In response to a request by the head of a State or local child support enforcement agency ( or a State or local government official authorized by the head of such an agency ), if the person making the request certifies to the consumer reporting agency that- ( A ) the consumer report is needed for the purpose of establishing an individual 's capacity to make child support payments, determining the appropriate level of such payments, or enforcing a child support order, award, agreement, or judgment ; ( B ) the parentage of the consumer for the child to which the obligation relates has been established or acknowledged by the consumer in accordance with State laws under which the obligation arises ( if required by those laws ) ; and ( C ) the consumer report will be kept confidential, will be used solely for a purpose described in subparagraph ( A ), and will not be used in connection with any other civil, administrative, or criminal proceeding, or for any other purpose.

( 5 ) To an agency administering a State plan under section 654 of title 42 for use to set an initial or modified child support award.

( 6 ) To the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration as part of its preparation for its appointment or as part of its exercise of powers, as conservator, receiver, or liquidating agent for an insured depository institution or insured credit union under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [ 12 U.S.C. 1811 et seq. ] or the Federal Credit Union Act [ 12 U.S.C. 1751 et seq. ], or other applicable Federal or State law, or in connection with the resolution or liquidation of a failed or failing insured depository institution or insured credit union, as applicable.

( b ) Conditions for furnishing and using consumer reports for employment purposes ( 1 ) Certification from user A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report for employment purposes only if- ( A ) the person who obtains such report from the agency certifies to the agency that- ( i ) the person has complied with paragraph ( 2 ) with respect to the consumer report, and the person will comply with paragraph ( 3 ) with respect to the consumer report if paragraph ( 3 ) becomes applicable ; and ( ii ) information from the consumer report will not be used in violation of any applicable Federal or State equal employment opportunity law or regulation ; and ( B ) the consumer reporting agency provides with the report, or has previously provided, a summary of the consumer 's rights under this subchapter, as prescribed by the Bureau under section 1681g ( c ) ( 3 ) 1 of this title. 

I am unemployed and seeking employment and I have been denied employment for erroneous reporting by Equifax. They are scoundrels and should be shut down. I am a XXXX veteran and suffering a XXXX. Please help me.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation