Consumer complaint received 2023-10-18
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report
Sub-issue: Reporting company used your report improperly

Complaint:
XXXX, XXXX, and Equifax continue to report my financial account with XXXX XXXX without my written consent. I have not authorized either company to release my nonpublic information. Each reporting agency is indeed a financial institution that makes a profit from each company to report said information. Due to the monetary gain from the creditor the reporting agencies have a financial gain which makes their interest in this account biased. I have requested the accounting history of this account and neither company has provided such documentary evidence. Each company is required to send an opt out notice to each consumer that gives them the opportunity to opt out of the information being shared. I have not received any such notice from either company. No consumer can be late on an open ended consumer plan either. This makes this report fraudulent. 

17 CFR 248.124 - Reasonable opportunity to opt out.

CFR prev | next 248.124 Reasonable opportunity to opt out. 
( a ) In general. You must not use eligibility information that you receive from an affiliate to make marketing solicitations to a consumer about your products or services unless the consumer is provided a reasonable opportunity to opt out, as required by 248.121 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( ii ).

( b ) Examples of a reasonable opportunity to opt out. The consumer is given a reasonable opportunity to opt out if : ( 1 ) By mail. The opt out notice is mailed to the consumer. The consumer is given 30 days from the date the notice is mailed to elect to opt out by any reasonable means.

( 2 ) By electronic means.

( i ) The opt out notice is provided electronically to the consumer, such as by posting the notice at an Internet Web site at which the consumer has obtained a product or service. The consumer acknowledges receipt of the electronic notice. The consumer is given 30 days after the date the consumer acknowledges receipt to elect to opt out by any reasonable means.

( ii ) The opt out notice is provided to the consumer by e-mail where the consumer has agreed to receive disclosures by e-mail from the person sending the notice. The consumer is given 30 days after the e-mail is sent to elect to opt out by any reasonable means.

( 3 ) At the time of an electronic transaction. The opt out notice is provided to the consumer at the time of an electronic transaction, such as a transaction conducted on an Internet Web site. The consumer is required to decide, as a necessary part of proceeding with the transaction, whether to opt out before completing the transaction. There is a simple process that the consumer may use to opt out at that time using the same mechanism through which the transaction is conducted.

( 4 ) At the time of an in-person transaction. The opt out notice is provided to the consumer in writing at the time of an in-person transaction. The consumer is required to decide, as a necessary part of proceeding with the transaction, whether to opt out before completing the transaction, and is not permitted to complete the transaction without making a choice. There is a simple process that the consumer may use during the course of the in-person transaction to opt out, such as completing a form that requires consumers to write a yes or no to indicate their opt out preference or that requires the consumer to check one of two blank check boxesone that allows consumers to indicate that they want to opt out and one that allows consumers to indicate that they do not want to opt out.

( 5 ) By including in a privacy notice. The opt out notice is included in a GLBA privacy notice. The consumer is allowed to exercise the opt out within a reasonable period of time and in the same manner as the opt out under that privacy notice.

15 U.S. Code 1681b - Permissible purposes of consumer reports U.S. Code Notes prev | next ( 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, a subpoena issued in connection with proceedings before a Federal grand jury, or a subpoena issued in accordance with section 5318 of title 31 or section 3486 of title 18.

( 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 consumers eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a governmental instrumentality required by law to consider an applicants 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 individuals 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 consumers rights under this subchapter, as prescribed by the Bureau under section 1681g ( c ) ( 3 ) [ 1 ] of this title.

( 2 ) Disclosure to consumer ( A ) In general Except as provided in subparagraph ( B ), a person may not procure a consumer report, or cause a consumer report to be procured, for employment purposes with respect to any consumer, unless ( i ) a clear and conspicuous disclosure has been made in writing to the consumer at any time before the report is procured or caused to be procured, in a document that consists solely of the disclosure, that a consumer report may be obtained for employment purposes; and ( ii ) the consumer has authorized in writing ( which authorization may be made on the document referred to in clause ( i ) ) the procurement of the report by that person.

( B ) Application by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means If a consumer described in subparagraph ( C ) applies for employment by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means, at any time before a consumer report is procured or caused to be procured in connection with that application ( i ) the person who procures the consumer report on the consumer for employment purposes shall provide to the consumer, by oral, written, or electronic means, notice that a consumer report may be obtained for employment purposes, and a summary of the consumers rights under section 1681m ( a ) ( 3 ) 1 of this title; and ( ii ) the consumer shall have consented, orally, in writing, or electronically to the procurement of the report by that person.

( C ) Scope Subparagraph ( B ) shall apply to a person procuring a consumer report on a consumer in connection with the consumers application for employment only if ( i ) the consumer is applying for a position over which the Secretary of Transportation has the power to establish qualifications and maximum hours of service pursuant to the provisions of section 31502 of title 49, or a position subject to safety regulation by a State transportation agency ; and ( ii ) as of the time at which the person procures the report or causes the report to be procured the only interaction between the consumer and the person in connection with that employment application has been by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means.

( 3 ) Conditions on use for adverse actions ( A ) In general Except as provided in subparagraph ( B ), in using a consumer report for employment purposes, before taking any adverse action based in whole or in part on the report, the person intending to take such adverse action shall provide to the consumer to whom the report relates ( i ) a copy of the report; and ( ii ) a description in writing of the rights of the consumer under this subchapter, as prescribed by the Bureau under section 1681g ( c ) ( 3 ) 1 of this title.

( B ) Application by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means ( i ) If a consumer described in subparagraph ( C ) applies for employment by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means, and if a person who has procured a consumer report on the consumer for employment purposes takes adverse action on the employment application based in whole or in part on the report, then the person must provide to the consumer to whom the report relates, in lieu of the notices required under subparagraph ( A ) of this section and under section 1681m ( a ) of this title, within 3 business days of taking such action, an oral, written or electronic notification ( I ) that adverse action has been taken based in whole or in part on a consumer report received from a consumer reporting agency ; ( II ) of the name, address and telephone number of the consumer reporting agency that furnished the consumer report ( including a toll-free telephone number established by the agency if the agency compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis ) ; ( III ) that the consumer reporting agency did not make the decision to take the adverse action and is unable to provide to the consumer the specific reasons why the adverse action was taken ; and ( IV ) that the consumer may, upon providing proper identification, request a free copy of a report and may dispute with the consumer reporting agency the accuracy or completeness of any information in a report.

( ii ) If, under clause ( B ) ( i ) ( IV ), the consumer requests a copy of a consumer report from the person who procured the report, then, within 3 business days of receiving the consumers request, together with proper identification, the person must send or provide to the consumer a copy of a report and a copy of the consumers rights as prescribed by the Bureau under section 1681g ( c ) ( 3 ) 1 of this title.

( C ) Scope Subparagraph ( B ) shall apply to a person procuring a consumer report on a consumer in connection with the consumers application for employment only if ( i ) the consumer is applying for a position over which the Secretary of Transportation has the power to establish qualifications and maximum hours of service pursuant to the provisions of section 31502 of title 49, or a position subject to safety regulation by a State transportation agency ; and ( ii ) as of the time at which the person procures the report or causes the report to be procured the only interaction between the consumer and the person in connection with that employment application has been by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means.

( 4 ) Exception for national security investigations ( A ) In general In the case of an agency or department of the United States Government which seeks to obtain and use a consumer report for employment purposes, paragraph ( 3 ) shall not apply to any adverse action by such agency or department which is based in part on such consumer report, if the head of such agency or department makes a written finding that ( i ) the consumer report is relevant to a national security investigation of such agency or department ; ( ii ) the investigation is within the jurisdiction of such agency or department ; ( iii ) there is reason to believe that compliance with paragraph ( 3 ) will ( I ) endanger the life or physical safety of any person ; ( II ) result in flight from prosecution ; ( III ) result in the destruction of, or tampering with, evidence relevant to the investigation ; ( IV ) result in the intimidation of a potential witness relevant to the investigation ; ( V ) result in the compromise of classified information ; or ( VI ) otherwise seriously jeopardize or unduly delay the investigation or another official proceeding.

( B ) Notification of consumer upon conclusion of investigation Upon the conclusion of a national security investigation described in subparagraph ( A ), or upon the determination that the exception under subparagraph ( A ) is no longer required for the reasons set forth in such subparagraph, the official exercising the authority in such subparagraph shall provide to the consumer who is the subject of the consumer report with regard to which such finding was made ( i ) a copy of such consumer report with any classified information redacted as necessary ; ( ii ) notice of any adverse action which is based, in part, on the consumer report ; and ( iii ) the identification with reasonable specificity of the nature of the investigation for which the consumer report was sought.

( C ) Delegation by head of agency or department For purposes of subparagraphs ( A ) and ( B ), the head of any agency or department of the United States Government may delegate his or her authorities under this paragraph to an official of such agency or department who has personnel security responsibilities and is a member of the Senior Executive Service or equivalent civilian or military rank.

( D ) Definitions For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall apply : ( i ) Classified information The term classified information means information that is protected from unauthorized disclosure under Executive Order No. 12958 or successor orders.

( ii ) National security investigation The term national security investigation means any official inquiry by an agency or department of the United States Government to determine the eligibility of a consumer to receive access or continued access to classified information or to determine whether classified information has been lost or compromised.

( c ) Furnishing reports in connection with credit or insurance transactions that are not initiated by consumer ( 1 ) In general A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report relating to any consumer pursuant to subparagraph ( A ) or ( C ) of subsection ( a ) ( 3 ) in connection with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer only if ( A ) the consumer authorizes the agency to provide such report to such person ; or ( B ) ( i ) the transaction consists of a firm offer of credit or insurance ; ( ii ) the consumer reporting agency has complied with subsection ( e ) ; ( iii ) there is not in effect an election by the consumer, made in accordance with subsection ( e ), to have the consumers name and address excluded from lists of names provided by the agency pursuant to this paragraph ; and ( iv ) the consumer report does not contain a date of birth that shows that the consumer has not attained the age of 21, or, if the date of birth on the consumer report shows that the consumer has not attained the age of 21, such consumer consents to the consumer reporting agency to such furnishing.

( 2 ) Limits on information received under paragraph ( 1 ) ( B ) A person may receive pursuant to paragraph ( 1 ) ( B ) only ( A ) the name and address of a consumer ; ( B ) an identifier that is not unique to the consumer and that is used by the person solely for the purpose of verifying the identity of the consumer ; and ( C ) other information pertaining to a consumer that does not identify the relationship or experience of the consumer with respect to a particular creditor or other entity.

( 3 ) Information regarding inquiries Except as provided in section 1681g ( a ) ( 5 ) of this title, a consumer reporting agency shall not furnish to any person a record of inquiries in connection with a credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by a consumer.

( d ) Reserved ( e ) Election of consumer to be excluded from lists ( 1 ) In general A consumer may elect to have the consumers name and address excluded from any list provided by a consumer reporting agency under subsection ( c ) ( 1 ) ( B ) in connection with a credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer, by notifying the agency in accordance with paragraph ( 2 ) that the consumer does not consent to any use of a consumer report relating to the consumer in connection with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer.

( 2 ) Manner of notification A consumer shall notify a consumer reporting agency under paragraph ( 1 ) ( A ) through the notification system maintained by the agency under paragraph ( 5 ) ; or ( B ) by submitting to the agency a signed notice of election form issued by the agency for purposes of this subparagraph.

( 3 ) Response of agency after notification through system Upon receipt of notification of the election of a consumer under paragraph ( 1 ) through the notification system maintained by the agency under paragraph ( 5 ), a consumer reporting agency shall ( A ) inform the consumer that the election is effective only for the 5-year period following the election if the consumer does not submit to the agency a signed notice of election form issued by the agency for purposes of paragraph ( 2 ) ( B ) ; and ( B ) provide to the consumer a notice of election form, if requested by the consumer, not later than 5 business days after receipt of the notification of the election through the system established under paragraph ( 5 ), in the case of a request made at the time the consumer provides notification through the system.

( 4 ) Effectiveness of election An election of a consumer under paragraph ( 1 ) ( A ) shall be effective with respect to a consumer reporting agency beginning 5 business days after the date on which the consumer notifies the agency in accordance with paragraph ( 2 ) ; ( B ) shall be effective with respect to a consumer reporting agency ( i ) subject to subparagraph ( C ), during the 5-year period beginning 5 business days after the date on which the consumer notifies the agency of the election, in the case of an election for which a consumer notifies the agency only in accordance with paragraph ( 2 ) ( A ) ; or ( ii ) until the consumer notifies the agency under subparagraph ( C ), in the case of an election for which a consumer notifies the agency in accordance with paragraph ( 2 ) ( B ) ; ( C ) shall not be effective after the date on which the consumer notifies the agency, through the notification system established by the agency under paragraph ( 5 ), that the election is no longer effective ; and ( D ) shall be effective with respect to each affiliate of the agency. 
( 5 ) Notification system ( A ) In general Each consumer reporting agency that, under subsection ( c ) ( 1 ) ( B ), furnishes a consumer report in connection with a credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by a consumer, shall ( i ) establish and maintain a notification system, including a toll-free telephone number, which permits any consumer whose consumer report is maintained by the agency to notify the agency, with appropriate identification, of the consumers election to have the consumers name and address excluded from any such list of names and addresses provided by the agency for such a transaction ; and ( ii ) publish by not later than 365 days after XX/XX/XXXX, and not less than annually thereafter, in a publication of general circulation in the area served by the agency ( I ) a notification that information in consumer files maintained by the agency may be used in connection with such transactions ; and ( II ) the address and toll-free telephone number for consumers to use to notify the agency of the consumers election under clause ( i ). 
( B ) Establishment and maintenance as compliance Establishment and maintenance of a notification system ( including a toll-free telephone number ) and publication by a consumer reporting agency on the agencys own behalf and on behalf of any of its affiliates in accordance with this paragraph is deemed to be compliance with this paragraph by each of those affiliates. 

( 6 ) Notification system by agencies that operate nationwide Each consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis shall establish and maintain a notification system for purposes of paragraph ( 5 ) jointly with other such consumer reporting agencies. 

( f ) Certain use or obtaining of information prohibited A person shall not use or obtain a consumer report for any purpose unless ( 1 ) the consumer report is obtained for a purpose for which the consumer report is authorized to be furnished under this section; and ( 2 ) the purpose is certified in accordance with section 1681e of this title by a prospective user of the report through a general or specific certification. 
( g ) Protection of medical information ( 1 ) Limitation on consumer reporting agencies A consumer reporting agency shall not furnish for employment purposes, or in connection with a credit or insurance transaction, a consumer report that contains medical information ( other than medical contact information treated in the manner required under section 1681c ( a ) ( 6 ) of this title ) about a consumer, unless ( A ) if furnished in connection with an insurance transaction, the consumer affirmatively consents to the furnishing of the report ; ( B ) if furnished for employment purposes or in connection with a credit transaction ( i ) the information to be furnished is relevant to process or effect the employment or credit transaction ; and ( ii ) the consumer provides specific written consent for the furnishing of the report that describes in clear and conspicuous language the use for which the information will be furnished ; or ( C ) the information to be furnished pertains solely to transactions, accounts, or balances relating to debts arising from the receipt of medical services, products, or devises, where such information, other than account status or amounts, is restricted or reported using codes that do not identify, or do not provide information sufficient to infer, the specific provider or the nature of such services, products, or devices, as provided in section 1681c ( a ) ( 6 ) of this title.

( 2 ) Limitation on creditors Except as permitted pursuant to paragraph ( 3 ) ( C ) or regulations prescribed under paragraph ( 5 ) ( A ), a creditor shall not obtain or use medical information ( other than medical information treated in the manner required under section 1681c ( a ) ( 6 ) of this title ) pertaining to a consumer in connection with any determination of the consumers eligibility, or continued eligibility, for credit. 

( 3 ) Actions authorized by Federal law, insurance activities and regulatory determinations Section 1681a ( d ) ( 3 ) of this title shall not be construed so as to treat information or any communication of information as a consumer report if the information or communication is disclosed ( A ) in connection with the business of insurance or annuities, including the activities described in section 18B of the model Privacy of Consumer Financial and Health Information Regulation issued by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( as in effect on XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  ) ; ( B ) for any purpose permitted without authorization under the Standards for Individually Identifiable Health Information promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or referred to under section 1179 of such Act,1 or described in section 6802 ( e ) of this title ; or ( C ) as otherwise determined to be necessary and appropriate, by regulation or order, by the Bureau or the applicable State insurance authority ( with respect to any person engaged in providing insurance or annuities ). 
( 4 ) Limitation on redisclosure of medical information Any person that receives medical information pursuant to paragraph ( 1 ) or ( 3 ) shall not disclose such information to any other person, except as necessary to carry out the purpose for which the information was initially disclosed, or as otherwise permitted by statute, regulation, or order.

( 5 ) Regulations and effective date for paragraph ( 2 ) ( A ) [ 2 ] Regulations required The Bureau may, after notice and opportunity for comment, prescribe regulations that permit transactions under paragraph ( 2 ) that are determined to be necessary and appropriate to protect legitimate operational, transactional, risk, consumer, and other needs ( and which shall include permitting actions necessary for administrative verification purposes ), consistent with the intent of paragraph ( 2 ) to restrict the use of medical information for inappropriate purposes.

( 6 ) Coordination with other laws No provision of this subsection shall be construed as altering, affecting, or superseding the applicability of any other provision of Federal law relating to medical confidentiality.

15 U.S. Code 1637 - Open end consumer credit plans U.S. Code Notes prev | next ( a ) Required disclosures by creditor Before opening any account under an open end consumer credit plan, the creditor shall disclose to the person to whom credit is to be extended each of the following items, to the extent applicable : ( 1 ) The conditions under which a finance charge may be imposed, including the time period ( if any ) within which any credit extended may be repaid without incurring a finance charge, except that the creditor may, at his election and without disclosure, impose no such finance charge if payment is received after the termination of such time period. If no such time period is provided, the creditor shall disclose such fact.

( 2 ) The method of determining the balance upon which a finance charge will be imposed.

( 3 ) The method of determining the amount of the finance charge, including any minimum or fixed amount imposed as a finance charge.

( 4 ) Where one or more periodic rates may be used to compute the finance charge, each such rate, the range of balances to which it is applicable, and the corresponding nominal annual percentage rate determined by multiplying the periodic rate by the number of periods in a year.

( 5 ) Identification of other charges which may be imposed as part of the plan, and their method of computation, in accordance with regulations of the Bureau.

( 6 ) In cases where the credit is or will be secured, a statement that a security interest has been or will be taken in ( A ) the property purchased as part of the credit transaction, or ( B ) property not purchased as part of the credit transaction identified by item or type.

( 7 ) A statement, in a form prescribed by regulations of the Bureau of the protection provided by sections 1666 and 1666i of this title to an obligor and the creditors responsibilities under sections 1666a and 1666i of this title. With respect to one billing cycle per calendar year, at intervals of not less than six months or more than eighteen months, the creditor shall transmit such statement to each obligor to whom the creditor is required to transmit a statement pursuant to subsection ( b ) for such billing cycle.

( 8 ) In the case of any account under an open end consumer credit plan which provides for any extension of credit which is secured by the consumers principal dwelling, any information which ( A ) is required to be disclosed under section 1637a ( a ) of this title; and ( B ) the Bureau determines is not described in any other paragraph of this subsection.

( b ) Statement required with each billing cycle The creditor of any account under an open end consumer credit plan shall transmit to the obligor, for each billing cycle at the end of which there is an outstanding balance in that account or with respect to which a finance charge is imposed, a statement setting forth each of the following items to the extent applicable : ( 1 ) The outstanding balance in the account at the beginning of the statement period.

( 2 ) The amount and date of each extension of credit during the period, and a brief identification, on or accompanying the statement of each extension of credit in a form prescribed by the Bureau sufficient to enable the obligor either to identify the transaction or to relate it to copies of sales vouchers or similar instruments previously furnished, except that a creditors failure to disclose such information in accordance with this paragraph shall not be deemed a failure to comply with this part or this subchapter if ( A ) the creditor maintains procedures reasonably adapted to procure and provide such information, and ( B ) the creditor responds to and treats any inquiry for clarification or documentation as a billing error and an erroneously billed amount under section 1666 of this title. In lieu of complying with the requirements of the previous sentence, in the case of any transaction in which the creditor and seller are the same person, as defined by the Bureau, and such persons open end credit plan has fewer than 15,000 accounts, the creditor may elect to provide only the amount and date of each extension of credit during the period and the sellers name and location where the transaction took place if ( A ) a brief identification of the transaction has been previously furnished, and ( B ) the creditor responds to and treats any inquiry for clarification or documentation as a billing error and an erroneously billed amount under section 1666 of this title.

( 3 ) The total amount credited to the account during the period.

( 4 ) The amount of any finance charge added to the account during the period, itemized to show the amounts, if any, due to the application of percentage rates and the amount, if any, imposed as a minimum or fixed charge.

( 5 ) Where one or more periodic rates ma

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation