Consumer complaint received 2024-10-11
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (FL)

I am writing to formally dispute the following accounts and demand the immediate removal of inaccurate, unverified, and potentially fraudulent information from my credit report : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Furthermore, I am deeply concerned about the methods your agency has employed in both obtaining and disseminating my personal information. Your actions may constitute a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028, which pertains to identity theft and fraud. Specifically, you have obtained personal information from a creditor without my explicit permission, which is a direct infringement of my privacy rights under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( 15 U.S.C. 6801 et seq. ), which mandates the protection of consumers private financial information.

Additionally, your agencys actions in reporting negative and inaccurate information to credit reporting agencies have had severe repercussions, including potential identity theft. This reporting violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), specifically 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2, which requires that any information stemming from identity theft must be blocked and removed immediately upon notification. Your agencys failure to ensure the accuracy of the information reported is also a clear violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ), which mandates that consumer reporting agencies maintain maximum accuracy in credit files.

Moreover, under 15 U.S.C. 1681b, you are required to have a permissible purpose for obtaining and reporting my credit information. Your lack of compliance in this regard further violates my consumer rights. If you are unable to produce legitimate verification and evidence that you had such a purpose, I demand that this information be immediately removed from my file.

I am also invoking my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. 1692 ), which prohibits deceptive or unfair collection practices. Should your agency be working with third-party debt collectors, I remind you that they are also legally obligated to verify any debt before it is reported or pursued, and any collection activity tied to fraudulent information is a violation of this law.

To summarize, your actions violate multiple federal laws designed to protect consumers, including but not limited to : 18 U.S.C. 1028 ( Identity Theft and Fraud ) 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( Blocking of Information Resulting from Identity Theft ) 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ( Requirement for Maximum Accuracy in Reporting ) 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( Permissible Purpose for Obtaining Information ) 15 U.S.C. 1692 ( Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ) Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( 15 U.S.C. 6801 et seq. ) ( Safeguarding of Personal Financial Information ) I demand that your agency immediately block, remove, and cease reporting any and all fraudulent or inaccurate information as required under these laws. Should you fail to comply within the legally mandated timeframes, I will pursue legal remedies including complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and potential civil action for damages under the FCRA, FDCPA, and other relevant statutes.

I expect confirmation within 30 days that all disputed information has been removed from my credit report. Failure to act will leave me with no choice but to escalate this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX