Consumer complaint received 2023-02-04
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report
Sub-issue: Reporting company used your report improperly

Complaint:
This letter is to bring to your attention a serious violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) as regulated by Title 15 of the United States Code. My consumer report contains inaccuracies that have resulted in harm to my credit standing and reputation, and I demand that you take immediate action to correct these errors.

Pursuant to Title 15 USC 1681 ( a ) ( 1 ), it is the responsibility of credit reporting agencies, like your company, to ensure that the information contained in consumer reports is fair, accurate, and impartial. This is because the banking system relies on the accuracy of consumer reports to make informed decisions about the creditworthiness of individuals. In this case, I was never notified when this inaccurate information was furnished, and I was never notified when your company was going to report it. As a result, my confidence in your company 's procedures has been undermined.

Pursuant to Title 15 USC 1681 ( a ) ( 2 ), your company is obligated to exercise fairness and impartiality when reporting information about consumers. However, in this case, your company failed to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in my report, and as a result, you have caused harm to my reputation and creditworthiness.

Pursuant to Title 15 USC 1681 ( a ) ( 3 ), your company was not given express permission by me, the consumer, or a competent court of jurisdiction to assume the role of a credit reporting agency. Furthermore, during the initial investigation, you failed to properly verify the information and assumed it to be valid, which is a violation of my consumer rights.

Pursuant to Title 15 USC 1681 ( a ) ( 4 ), your company was obligated to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in my report and to exercise your duty with fairness and impartiality. However, you failed to consult with me to determine the validity of the information and as a result, my privacy was breached, and my right to privacy was violated.

Pursuant to Title 15 USC 1681a ( d ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( I ), transactions between the consumer and the person making the report should not be included in a consumer report. In this case, the alleged transaction that you reported and failed to properly investigate is categorized as a transaction between the consumer and the person making the report, and therefore should not have been included in my consumer report.

Pursuant to Title 15 USC 1681a ( d ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( III ), I was not given the opportunity to deny the information being communicated on my consumer report during the initial investigation. This is a clear violation of the FCRA.

Pursuant to Title 15 USC 1681a ( B ), any authorization of a specific extension of credit or a credit card transaction should be excluded from a consumer report. In this case, the alleged transaction that you failed to properly investigate is categorized as a credit card transaction and should have been excluded from my consumer report.

Pursuant to Title 15 USC 1681a ( e ), the production of an investigative consumer report requires a thorough investigation to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in the report. This includes obtaining information from a variety of sources and confirming the accuracy of the information through verification methods. The FCRA provides the legal framework for the production of consumer reports and helps to ensure that consumers are protected against the dissemination of inaccurate or incomplete information.

In conclusion, I demand that you take immediate action to correct the inaccuracies contained in my consumer report and ensure that all future reports are in compliance with the FCRA. I expect a prompt and satisfactory resolution to this matter, and I look forward to hearing back from you regarding the steps you have taken to rectify this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation