Consumer complaint received 2024-09-24
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. (MD)

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to formally dispute the unauthorized and inaccurate reporting of late payments, charge-offs, and other derogatory information on my credit report. In addition to this, some of the accounts listed below have been linked to a recent data breach involving XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX, in which my personal and financial information was stolen and compromised. These actions not only violate my privacy but have resulted in predatory reporting practices, further damaging my credit standing. 

Disputed Accounts : XXXX Balance Updated : XX/XX/XXXX Past Due Amount : {$130.00} Reported Late : Most recent XXXX report XXXX Account Number : XXXX Status : Account charged off. {$20000.00} written off. {$11000.00} past due as of XX/XX/XXXX. 
Reported History : Charge-Off : XXXX XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX Repossession : XX/XX/XXXX to XXXX XXXX 60 days past due : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX days past due : XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Status : Charge-off Balance : {$0.00} Status Updated : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Status : Charge-off Status Updated : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Status : Charge-off Status Updated : XXXX XXXX XXXX  Account Number : XXXX Status : Closed, not more than three payments past due Status Updated XXXX {$0.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

Account Number : XXXX Status : Closed, not more than two payments past due Status Updated : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX & XXXX XXXX Original Creditor : XXXX Account Number : XXXX Status : Unpaid Balance : {$370.00} Status Updated : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX Account Number : XXXX Status : Unpaid Balance : {$8200.00} Status Updated : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Account Number : XXXX Status Updated : XX/XX/XXXX Federal Violations : Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 ) : Credit reporting agencies must ensure that all information reported is accurate and verifiable. Reporting false charge-offs, late payments, and other derogatory marks without proper validation violates this law. 
The failure to remove inaccurate information after notification also violates the FCRAs provisions regarding the correction of errors. 
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 ) : The FDCPA prohibits the use of deceptive practices in connection with the collection of any debt, including the inaccurate reporting of debt status.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 6801-6809 ) : The mishandling of personal and financial information, especially when used in a predatory manner or following a data breach, violates the privacy protections of the GLBA.

Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act ( 18 U.S.C. 1028 ) : If accounts and information reported were a result of identity theft, the continued reporting of such accounts without proper investigation violates the protections under this law.

Maryland State Law Violations : Maryland Consumer Protection Act ( MCPA ) ( MD. Code Ann., Com. Law 13-101 et seq. ) : The MCPA prohibits deceptive and unfair practices in trade or commerce, including credit reporting. The inaccurate reporting of these accounts and the failure to correct them violates this law.

Maryland Credit Reporting Agencies Act ( MD. Code Ann., Com. Law 14-1201 et seq. ) : This law requires credit reporting agencies to provide accurate and verifiable information. Reporting false late payments and charge-offs, and failing to remove erroneous data, violates this state law.

Maryland Personal Information Protection Act ( PIPA ) ( MD. Code Ann., Com. Law 14-3501 et seq. ) : The mishandling of sensitive personal information and the failure to properly safeguard my data during a data breach is a violation of this law.

Predatory Practices : The reporting of incorrect and unauthorized information following a data breach where my information was compromised constitutes a predatory practice under consumer protection laws. The unauthorized collection, sale, and reporting of my private data without proper consent for financial gain is illegal and unethical.

Requested Action : Immediate removal of all inaccurate late payment, charge-off, and collection entries from my credit report.

Verification of all reported payment information with the creditors, and providing written confirmation that these reports were inaccurate and have been corrected.

Notification to any third parties that accessed my credit report in the past six months, informing them of the corrections made. 
Detailed investigation and explanation of any accounts linked to the data breaches involving XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX. 
Under the FCRA, you are required to investigate and correct these inaccuracies within 30 days. Please provide written confirmation of the corrections made. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX