Consumer complaint received 2024-08-19
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (NY)

I am writing to formally dispute the inaccurate and fraudulent information on my credit report. I am a survivor of human trafficking, and certain accounts and debts were incurred under duress, without my knowledge or consent. These accounts do not accurately reflect my financial behavior and were established as a direct result of criminal activities committed by those who exploited me. 

Legal Protections and Applicable Laws As a consumer, I am protected under various sections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and other relevant legislation : 1. Section 605B - Blocking of Information Resulting from Identity Theft ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) : Credit reporting agencies are required to block any information resulting from identity theft, including cases of human trafficking. Upon receipt of a police report and other supporting documentation, the listed items must be removed immediately.

2. Section 609 ( e ) - Information Available to Victims ( 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) ) : Victims of identity theft, including trafficking, have the right to obtain copies of business records relating to fraudulent transactions. This helps substantiate the dispute and supports the removal of incorrect data. 
3. Section 611 - Dispute Resolution Procedure ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) : Credit reporting agencies must investigate disputed information, generally within 30 days. If the disputed information is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable, it must be corrected or deleted.

4. Section 604 - Permissible Purposes of Consumer Reports ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ) : Any entity requesting a consumer report must have a permissible purpose. Accounts or inquiries made without such purpose, particularly under fraudulent circumstances, must be removed. 
5. Section 623 - Responsibilities of Furnishers of Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ) : Entities furnishing information to credit bureaus must ensure its accuracy and integrity. They are also required to investigate disputes and correct or delete any information that is found to be inaccurate or incomplete.

6. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) Guidelines : The CFPB emphasizes that credit bureaus must adhere strictly to the FCRA and handle disputes efficiently and fairly, especially in cases involving identity theft or human trafficking.

7. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act ( TVPA ) : This act provides additional protections for victims of human trafficking, allowing them to clear fraudulent financial records that were created as a result of their victimization. 

Accounts and Information to Be Verified or Removed : 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 Incorrect Personal Information : Incorrect Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, XXXX, NY, XXXX Incorrect Name : XXXX XXXX Incorrect Name : XXXX XXXX Incorrect DOB : XX/XX/year> Incorrect Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, NY, XXXX Incorrect Address : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX NY, XXXX Incorrect Employer : XXXX XXXX Incorrect Employer : XXXX XXXX XXXX Request for Action I am formally requesting that these items be removed from my credit report under the provisions outlined above. I have included a copy of the police report and any additional documentation necessary to support my claim. 

Please initiate an investigation into these accounts and provide me with written confirmation that the disputed information has been removed. Additionally, I request a complete updated copy of my credit report once these corrections have been made. 

Additional Modern Credit Repair Requests : Rapid Rescoring : I request that my credit score be rapidly rescored following the removal of the disputed items. This ensures that my credit report reflects the corrected information as quickly as possible. 
Direct Disputes with Furnishers : While you conduct your investigation, I have also reached out directly to the furnishers of the disputed accounts, requesting that they verify the accuracy of the information they provided. They are legally obligated to respond promptly and correct any erroneous data. 
Demand for Written Verification : If the disputed accounts can not be verified, they must be deleted as per FCRA guidelines. I expect written verification of all items you consider accurate after your investigation. 
Request for Suppression of Inaccurate Data : Any inaccurate data should be suppressed immediately while the investigation is ongoing, preventing further damage to my credit score.