Consumer complaint received 2024-09-30
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. (GA)

I identified several inaccuracies and misreported personal information in my credit file across all three credit bureaus, including incorrect names, addresses, telephone numbers, and employers. On XX/XX/2023, I formally submitted a request to each bureau to investigate and remove these errors, as they were not proven compliant with federal reporting standards, specifically FCRA ( Fair Credit Reporting Act ) regulations. 

Despite providing detailed instructions and documentation, including copies of my identification and social security card, the credit bureaus failed to respond appropriately within the required timeframe. As of today, no corrections have been made. This inaction has severely impacted my ability to access credit, causing financial harm. 

My request clearly outlined the following unresolved inaccuracies : Misreported names, such as XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX Incorrect addresses, including XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and personal information that is not mine, such as XXXX XXXX and incorrect telephone numbers. 
Despite federal law mandating correction or removal of unverified information, I have received no adequate response, nor have the inaccuracies been corrected. The continued presence of this misinformation is injuring my creditworthiness and restricting my access to financial opportunities.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681, Section 602 ( a ), it is established that " Consumer reporting agencies must exercise their serious responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and respect for the consumers right to privacy. '' As a recognized consumer, I assert my rights under this section, particularly about XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX, which are classified as consumer reporting agencies. Furthermore, under 15 U.S.C. 6801, Congress has declared that " each financial institution holds a continuing and affirmative duty to respect its customers ' privacy and protect the confidentiality and security of nonpublic personal information. '' Entities furnishing information to credit reporting agencies are considered financial institutions under this statute. Additionally, 15 U.S.C. 1681, Section 604 ( a ) ( 2 ), clearly mandates that " a consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report only under the following conditions : when by the written instructions of the consumer to whom the report pertains. '' Neither Equifax, XXXX nor the financial institutions furnishing information to them have my written consent to distribute or furnish my private information. Any previously granted consentwhether verbal, non-verbal, implied, or writtenis now revoked. Per 15 U.S.C. 6802 ( b ) - ( c ), a financial institution is prohibited from disclosing nonpublic personal information to any unaffiliated third party unless the consumer is provided with a clear explanation of how to opt out of such disclosures. No such explanation was provided to me by any information furnisher associated with these agencies. Moreover, 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) ( 5 ) specifies that " no consumer reporting agency may include in a report any adverse information, other than records of criminal convictions, that predates the report by more than seven years. '' Therefore, the adverse information currently being reported on my account is unlawful. In addition, under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( A ) ( 1 ), " a person may not furnish any information to a consumer reporting agency if they know or reasonably believe that the information is inaccurate. '' XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX also violate 15 U.S.C. 1681e, which requires that " consumer reporting agencies maintain procedures to avoid breaches of Section 1681c and limit the furnishing of consumer reports to those authorized under Section 1681b. '' As these procedures have not been maintained, I am formally exercising my right to opt out of their services as outlined in 12 C.F.R. 1016.7.