Consumer complaint received 2024-09-13
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Personal information incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (NE)

I am writing to formally request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) require XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX to immediately remove all inaccurate and unauthorized addresses from my credit reports. This request is based on multiple violations of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 ( g ) ), and additional legal protections concerning data security and privacy.

Summary of Violations and Requests : 1. Exposure of Personal Information in a Data Breach : My personal information, including addresses, was exposed in a data breach. Under 15 U.S. Code 1681 ( b ), consumer reporting agencies are required to protect consumer information and use it only for permissible purposes. The exposure of my information due to inadequate data security measures violates the obligations of consumer reporting agencies to ensure the confidentiality and security of consumer information. 
Additionally, 15 U.S. Code 6801 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ) mandates that financial institutions and credit reporting agencies have a legal obligation to protect the privacy and confidentiality of consumer information. The exposure of my data in a breach suggests a failure to comply with these standards, thus compromising my privacy and exposing me to potential harm, including identity theft and fraud.

2. Violations of My Right to Privacy and Permissible Purpose Requirements : Under 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( a ) ( 2 ), consumer reporting agencies may only furnish consumer reports for specific permissible purposes and with my explicit written consent. The inclusion of addresses on my credit report without my authorization or any documented permissible purpose is a violation of my right to privacy. 
3. Failure to Remove Inaccurate and Unverified Information : According to 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ), consumer reporting agencies are required to remove inaccurate or unverified information promptly upon a consumers dispute. I have formally disputed these addresses, yet they remain on my credit reports without proper validation, violating the agencies obligations to ensure maximum possible accuracy under 15 U.S. Code 1681e ( b ).

4. Increased Risk of Identity Theft and Financial Harm : The exposure of my personal information in the data breach, combined with the inclusion of inaccurate addresses on my credit report, significantly increases my risk of identity theft and fraud. Such inaccuracies negatively impact my creditworthiness, potentially leading to credit denial, higher interest rates, and other adverse financial outcomes. The credit reporting agencies have failed in their duty to protect my information and to mitigate the risk of financial harm.

5. Lack of Compliance with Debt Validation Requirements : Under 15 U.S. Code 1692 ( g ), debt collectors must validate debts, and any debt or address information reported must be accurate and properly verified. The addresses on my credit report do not correspond to any validated debts and have been included without my authorization, violating the FDCPA.

6. Improper Furnishing of Consumer Information : The unauthorized furnishing of my personal information, including addresses, by the credit reporting agencies, violates 15 U.S. Code 1681 section 604 ( a ) ( 2 ). Without my explicit consent, these addresses should not appear on my report, and their presence reflects a breach of federal law requiring immediate correction.