Consumer complaint received 2024-07-09
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)

Dear Equifax Information Services LLC., I am writing to dispute the following information on my credit report. I reviewed my credit report on XX/XX/XXXX, and noticed that several entries are inaccurate and incomplete. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), it is your responsibility to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of the information in my report. The accounts listed below violate my federal protected consumer rights to privacy and confidentiality under 15 U.S.C. 1681. 
List of Accounts : Account Name Account Number Balance DEPTEDXXXX XXXXXXXX {$12000.00} XXXX XXXXXXXX {$67.00} XXXX  XXXX {$0.00} DPT EDXXXX XXXX {$0.00} DPT EDXXXX XXXX {$0.00} DPT ED/XXXX XXXX {$0.00} DPT EDXXXX XXXX {$0.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX {$6300.00} XXXX  XXXX XXXX {$730.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX {$200.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX {$200.00} XXXX  XXXX {$1000.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX {$1700.00} XXXX XXXX {$0.00} XXXX  XXXX {$0.00} Violations : 1. 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) : This section states that a person shall not furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate. 
2. 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : This section requires consumer reporting agencies to follow reasonable procedures to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates. 
3. 15 U.S.C. 1681 602 ( a ) : This section affirms my right to privacy. 
4. 15 U.S.C. 1681 604 ( a ) ( 2 ) : This section states that a consumer reporting agency can not furnish an account without my written instructions. 
5. 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) ( 5 ) : This section states that no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any adverse items of information, other than records of convictions of crimes, which antedates the report by more than seven years. 
6. 12 CFR 1006.34 ( c ) : The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) has established requirements for the validation of debts. Under this regulation, the debt collector must provide clear and accurate information about the debt, including a detailed description of the nature of the debt and the original creditor. This requirement has not been met in my case. 
7. Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act ( RESPA ) - 12 USC 2605 : Mortgage servicers must respond to written requests for information and disputes about errors within 30 business days. 
8. 20 U.S.C. 1094 ( a ) ( 25 ) : This section requires institutions to provide accurate information regarding student loans to credit reporting agencies. 
9. Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) - 15 USC 1601 : Requires clear and accurate disclosures of terms and costs of loans. Consumers have the right to dispute errors related to the terms of their loan and seek corrections. 
10. 15 U.S.C. 1681a ( 2 ) ( B ) : This section pertains to the exclusion of certain types of information from consumer reports, including any adverse information other than records of convictions of crimes which antedates the report by more than seven years. 
11. 34 CFR 685.215 : This regulation outlines the process for loan discharge due to school closure, false certification, or unauthorized signature/identity theft. Given that my situation involves inaccuracies related to loan certification and reporting, I request a thorough investigation into the validity of these loans. 
12. 34 CFR 685.215 ( iii ) : This clause further specifies the conditions under which a borrower 's obligation to repay a Direct Loan is discharged if the loan was falsely certified. I believe that my case falls under this provision, and I request that you review the documentation and certify the discharge accordingly. 
13. Graham-Leach-Bliley Act - 15 USC 6802 : This section requires financial institutions to provide notice and an opportunity to opt-out of sharing information with non-affiliated third parties.

Given these violations, I request the following actions : 1. Conduct a th
orough investigation of the disputed accounts. 
XXXX. Remove the inaccurate information from my credit report. 
XXXX. Provide me with a written statement detailing the outcome of your investigation. 
XXXX. Send a corrected copy of my credit report to my address above. 
Failure to respond satisfactorily within 30 days of receipt of this certified letter may result in a small claims action against your company, seeking {$1000.00} per violation for : 1. Defamation 2. Negligent Enablement of Identity Fraud 3. Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act 4. Violations of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations Enclosed are copies of my credit report highlighting the disputed items and any supporting documentation ( e.g., payment records, correspondence ) that proves my claim. Please review this information and correct the inaccuracies promptly. Under the FCRA, you are required to investigate my dispute within 30 days. 


2. Subject : Unauthorized inquiry to my consumer report ; demand for Deletion and {$1000.00} Settlement. 

You are in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), [ 15 U.S.C 1681b ( a ) 3 ( f ) ( i )., for unlawfully obtaining my XXXX, XXXX, or Equifax consumer report without my authorization or a permissible purpose under the 15 USC 1681 Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA } and its guidelines for permissible purpose. 

A person shall not use or obtain a consumer report for any purpose unless ; XXXX. The consumer report is obtained for a purpose for which the consumer report is authorized to be furnished under this section. 
XXXX. The purpose is certified in accordance with section 1681b ( f ). XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ). 
15 USC 1681b ( c ) Furnishing reports in connection with credit or insurance transactions that are not initiated by consumer ( 3 ) Information regarding inquiries ; Except as provided in section 1681g ( a ) ( 5 ) of this title, a consumer reporting agency shall not furnish to any person a record of inquiries in connection with a credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by a consumer. I have not initiated any transaction with the following accounts listed below as defined under 15 U.S.C. 1693a ( 2 ) with Credit for review or c
ollection. 

Inquiry : Creditor Name Date of Inquiry Credit Bureau XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Equifax XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Equifax Furthermore, under the FCRA, Any person who knowingly and willfully obtains information on a consumer from a consumer reporting agency under false pretenses shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both, 15 U.S.C. 1681n ( a ). 
15 U.S. Code 1681q - Obtaining information under false pretenses Any person who knowingly and willfully obtains information on a consumer from a consumer reporting agency under false pretenses shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both. 

616. Civil liability for willful noncompliance [ 15 U.S.C. 1681n ] ( a ) In general. Any person who willfully fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this title with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of ( XXXX ) ( A ) any actual damages sustained by the consumer because of the failure or damages of not less than {$100.00} and not more than {$1000.00} ; or ( B ) in the case of liability of a natural person for obtaining a consumer report under false pretenses or knowingly without a permissible purpose, actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or {$1000.00}, whichever is greater ; 3. Subject : Dispute of Inaccurate XXXX  Loan Information on Credit Report To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to dispute the following information on my credit report. I reviewed my credit report on XX/XX/XXXX, and noticed that several entries are inaccurate and incomplete. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), it is your responsibility to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of the information in my report. The accounts listed below violate my federally protected consumer rights to privacy and confidentiality under 15 U.S.C. 1681. 
XXXX  Loan Details : Account Name Account Number Balance DPT EDXXXX XXXX {$0.00} DPT EDXXXX XXXX {$0.00} DPT EDXXXX XXXX {$0.00} DPT EDXXXX XXXX {$0.00} DEPTEDXXXX XXXX {$12000.00} Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), you are required to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy of the information you report. The inclusion of the incorrect XXXX  loan information on my credit report violates my federally protected consumer rights under 15 USC 1681 for the following reasons : Violations : 1. 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) : This section states that a person shall not furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate. 
2. 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : This section requires consumer reporting agencies to follow reasonable procedures to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates.


3. 15 U.S.C. 1681 602 ( a ) : This section affirms my right to privacy. 4. 15 U.S.C. 1681 604 ( a ) ( 2 ) : This section states that a consumer reporting agency can not furnish an account without my written instructions. 
5. 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) ( 5 ) : This section states that no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any adverse items of information, other than records of convictions of crimes, which antedates the report by more than seven years.

6. 12 CFR 1006.34 ( c ) : The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) has established requirements for the validation of debts. Under this regulation, the debt collector must provide clear and accurate information about the debt, including a detailed description of the nature of the debt and the original creditor. This requirement has not been met in my case.

7. 15 USC 1681a2B : This section pertains to the exclusion of certain types of information from consumer reports, including any adverse information other than records of convictions of crimes which antedate the report by more than seven years.

8. 34 CFR 685.215 : This regulation outlines the process for loan discharge due to school closure, false certification, or unauthorized signature/identity theft. Given that my situation involves inaccuracies related to loan certification and reporting, I request a thorough investigation into the validity of these loans.

9. 34 CFR 685.215 ( iii ) : This clause further specifies the conditions under which a borrower 's obligation to repay a Direct Loan is discharged if the loan was falsely certified. I believe that my case falls under this provision, and I request that you review the documentation and certify the discharge accordingly.

Given these violations, I request the following actions : 1. Conduct a thorough investigation of the disputed accounts.

2. Remove the inaccurate information from my credit report.

3. Provide me with a written statement detailing the outcome of your investigation.

4. Send a corrected copy of my credit report to my address above.

Failure to respond satisfactorily within 30 days of receipt of this certified letter may result in a small claims action against your company, seeking {$1000.00} per violation for : 1. Defamation 2. Negligent Enablement of Identity Fraud 3. Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act 4. Violations of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations Enclosed are copies of my credit report highlighting the disputed items and any supporting documentation ( e.g., payment records, correspondence ) that proves my claim. Please review this information and correct the accuracies promptly. Under the FCRA, you are required to investigate my dispute within 30 days. 


4. Subject : Request for Removal of Auto Loan from Credit Report To Whom It May Concern, I recently received a copy of my credit report and noticed that the following account ( s ) have been inaccurately reported on my consumer report. I demand that the below accounts be deleted from my consumer report immediately. 
List of Accounts to be Deleted : XXXX. [ XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ] The reporting of these accounts is in violation of 15 USC 1681a, The Fair Credit Reporting Act [ 15 USC 1681 ( a ) ( 2 ) ( B ) ] : ( 2 ) EXCLUSIONS.Except as provided in paragraph ( 3 ), the term consumer report does not include ( B ) any authorization or approval of a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or similar device. 
Under the Truth in Lending Act 15 USC 1602 ( g ), credit card is defined as follows : The term credit card means any card, plate, coupon book, or other credit device existing for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, or services on credit. This makes my social security card, drivers license/ID, and license plate credit cards that are/were used for the extension of credit. 
Additionally, according to the GrammLeachBliley Act, 15 USC 6802 : ( a ) NOTICE REQUIREMENTS : A financial institution may not, directly or through any affiliate, disclose to a nonaffiliated third party any nonpublic personal information unless such financial institution provides or has provided to the consumer a notice that complies with section 6803 of this title. ( b ) OPT OUT : ( 1 ) IN GENERAL : A financial institution may not disclose nonpublic personal information to a nonaffiliated third party unless : ( A ) such financial institution clearly and conspicuously discloses to the consumer, in writing or in electronic form, that such information may be disclosed to such third party ; ( B ) the consumer is given the opportunity, before the time that such information is initially disclosed, to direct that such information not be disclosed to such third party ; and ( C ) the consumer is given an explanation of how the consumer can exercise that nondisclosure option. 
[ Auto Dealership Name ] did not disclose this information to me as required by federal law. [ Auto Dealership Name ] knowingly and willfully withheld pertinent information regarding the disclosure of my information to affiliated and non-affiliated third parties. They also knowingly and willfully withheld information explaining how I, the consumer, can exercise that nondisclosure option. 
You are in violation of several federal laws. You have 10 calendar days from the receipt of this letter to delete this account from all credit reporting agencies to which you have furnished this information, as well as from all my consumer reports. 
Should you decide to discriminate against me for future business or products because I exercised my rights under this or any chapter, I will pursue damages and use this correspondence as proof of such decision, as stipulated in 15 USC 1691 a ( 3 ) : ( a ) ACTIVITIES CONSTITUTING DISCRIMINATION : It shall be unlawful for any creditor to discriminate against any applicant, with respect to any aspect of a credit transaction ( 1 ) on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or marital status, or age ( provided the applicant has the capacity to contract ) ; ( 2 ) because all or part of the applicants income derives from any public assistance program ; or ( 3 ) because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under this chapter. 
Enclosed are copies of my credit report highlighting the disputed items and any supporting documentation ( e.g., payment records, correspondence ) that proves my claim. Please review this information and correct the accuracies promptly. Under the FCRA, you are required to investigate my dispute within 30 days. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 


5. Subject : Personal Information Update Letter This is my third time writing you to update my personal information. 
15 USC 1681 ( a ) ( 4 ) There is a need to insure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumers right to privacy I demand a deletion of all personal identifiable information from my consumer credit report with the exception of : XXXX. My Full Legal Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX. My Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Please delete all other addresses, I can not receive mail or any correspondence nor do I have access to any of these addresses please delete these outdated addresses and update the address with the one above. 
Delete all phone numbers from my consumer report. 
I demand my social security number and date of birth be removed from being displayed on the credit file for privacy reasons. 
Delete all information in the employer section. 
Pursuant to the FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT 15 USC 1681 ( a ) ( 4 ), I am a federally protected consumer and I have a right to privacy. Not granting me my rights is in direct violation of 15 USC 1681 and all its subsections. 
Please send an updated credit report once the changes are complete to my contact information listed. 
My contact information is as follows : Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX : XXXX Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX, XXXX XXXX Sincerely XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Please remove everything highlighted in yellow from my credit report. 



Enclosed : copy of State ID and Utility bill showing proof of address XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please confirm receipt of this letter and keep me informed of your progress. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
XXXX, XXXX XXXX Cc : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Cc : Attorney Generals Office Cc : XXXX XXXX XXXX