Consumer complaint received 2024-07-29
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Personal information incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (PA)

The Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., governs access to consumer credit report records and promotes accuracy, fairness, and the privacy of personal information assembled by Credit Reporting Agencies ( CRAs ). A CRA is an entity that assembles and sells credit information and financial information about individuals. While there are XXXX national CRAs in the United States ( XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and Equifax ), private investigators, detective agencies, collection agencies, inspection bureaus, companies that sell information to insurance companies and assist in performing background checks, and college placement offices have been deemed to be CRAs under the law. CRAs compile what are called consumer reports, meaning any written, oral, or other communication of any information by a CRA bearing on a consumer 's credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living. See XXXX. 

Federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies may obtain basic identifying information ( name, address, former address, employment ) on any consumer through a CRA. See XXXX. If they want more detailed information provided in a consumer report, however, they generally must seek a court order or subpoena. See XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ). 

The USA PATRIOT Act expanded federal agencies access to credit reports. Prior to the Act, the FBI had access to credit reports ( without needing a court order or subpoena ) if there were specific and articulable facts that gave reason to believe that the consumer was either a foreign power, a foreign official, or the agent of a foreign power and was engaged in international terrorism or criminal clandestine intelligence activities. See 15 U.S.C. 1681u ( a ), ( b ). The Act eliminated the requirement of a nexus to a foreign power or its agents and instead requires that the information sought be relevant for various national security investigations to protect against international terrorism or clandestine intelligence activities. See XXXX. The Act also broadened other federal agencies access to consumer reports. Section XXXX obligates CRAs to provide consumer information and reports to a federal agency authorized to conduct investigations of, or intelligence or counterintelligence activities or analysis related to, international terrorism. '' Senior federal agency officials are empowered to issue a certification that the information is necessary for the agencys conduct or such investigation, activity, or analysis. See XXXX ( a ) & ( b ). Upon certification that disclosure to the subject would impair national security or interfere with an investigation, the entity providing the information is not permitted to disclose to the subject or others ( except counsel and those necessary to comply with the request ) that the government agency sought the credit report. See XXXX ( c ). State and local law enforcement within fusion centers often work in conjunction with the FBI or other federal officials to seek consumer reports pursuant to either XXXX or XXXX authority. If XXXX or XXXX is not utilized or applicable, consumer credit information may be obtained by seeking a court order or subpoena as authorized at XXXX. 

I have the address on file I would like the address they have on file removed which is XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX.