Consumer complaint received 2024-08-20
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (SC)

I am writing to file a formal complaint against Equifax regarding several fraudulent inquiries that have appeared on my credit report. As an XXXX  and XXXX individual, I have encountered three unauthorized credit inquiries on my report, which I did not initiate or authorize. Despite my efforts to resolve this issue directly with Equifax, these inquiries remain on my credit report, negatively impacting my credit score and financial well-being. 

Description of the Issue : Upon reviewing my Equifax credit report, I discovered the following three unauthorized inquiries that were made without my consent : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Date of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX These inquiries have adversely affected my credit score, making it difficult for me to access credit at reasonable terms. As someone who depends on good credit for financial stability, this situation has caused me significant distress. 

Actions Taken : In response to these fraudulent inquiries, I promptly filed a report with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), Report Number : XXXX. Additionally, I contacted Equifax to dispute the inquiries and requested their removal. However, despite these efforts, Equifax has not resolved the issue. The fraudulent inquiries remain on my credit report, and Equifax has not provided a satisfactory explanation or resolution.

Consumer Rights Violated : I believe that Equifax has violated my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), including : 1. Right to Accurate Credit Reporting : The FCRA guarantees my right to an accurate credit report. The presence of unauthorized and fraudulent inquiries constitutes a violation of this right.

2. Right to Dispute Information : The FCRA allows me to dispute inaccurate or unauthorized information on my credit report. XXXX failure to address and rectify these disputes violates this right. 
3. Failure to Investigate : Equifax is obligated under the FCRA to conduct a reasonable investigation when a consumer disputes information on their credit report. I believe Equifax has not fulfilled this obligation, as the fraudulent inquiries remain unaddressed.

Important Note : While I am seeking the removal of these unauthorized inquiries, I do not want a fraud alert placed on my credit report. A fraud alert is not necessary in my case and could complicate my access to credit. I am specifically requesting that the removal of these inquiries be handled without placing a fraud alert on my credit report. 

Impact : These fraudulent inquiries have resulted in a lower credit score, which could potentially lead to higher interest rates, denial of credit, and other financial challenges. As an XXXX  and XXXX individual living on a fixed income, this has caused me undue stress and poses a significant risk to my financial well-being.