Consumer complaint received 2023-12-31
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC. (HI)

I am writing to bring to your attention a serious issue regarding an unauthorized extended fraud alert placed on my credit report by TransUnion, XXXX, and XXXX. I have recently become aware of language and alerts on my credit file that I did not request, consent to, or authorize. Specifically, an " Extended Fraud Alert '' and the consumer statements that are categorically not my words or actions.

Description of the Unauthorized consumer statement and Fraud Alert : The unauthorized alert on my credit report is as follows : " # XXXX  # EFCRA EXTENDED FRAUD ALERT : ACTION MAY BE REQUIRED UNDER FCRA BEFORE OPENING OR MODIFYING AN ACCOUNT. CONTACT CONSUMER AT XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  DO NOT CONFUSE WITH CONSUMERS OF SIMILAR IDENTIFICATION. VERIFY ALL IDENTIFYING INFORMATION. FRAUD VICTIM. 'EXTENDED ALERT '. CONSUMER HAS REQUESTED AN ALERT BE PLACED ON THEIR CREDIT FILE. XXXX & XXXX XXXX ID FRAUD VICTIM ALERT FRAUDULENT APPLICATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED IN MY NAME OR MY IDENTITY MAY HAVE BEEN USED WITHOUT MY CONSENT TO FRAUDULENTLY OBTAIN GOODS OR SERVICES. DO NOT EXTEND CREDIT WITHOUT FIRST CONTACTING ME PERSONALLY AND VERIFYING ALL APPLICATION INFORMATION AT DAY XXXX OR EVENING XXXX. THIS VICTIM ALERT WILL BE MAINTAINED FOR XXXX YEARS BEGINNING XXXX. '' I affirm that I did not request an extended fraud alert, nor did I provide any statements or personal contact numbers to be included in such an alert. The language and details mentioned are not representative of my actions or words.

Context from the FCRA and Recent Lawsuit : Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), consumers are entitled to initiate fraud alerts in cases of " good faith suspicion '' of potential identity theft or fraud. However, this action should always be a voluntary and informed decision by the consumer, not an automatic or unauthorized placement by credit reporting agencies ( CRAs ). The recent lawsuit against TransUnion highlighted issues regarding the management of these alerts and the misrepresentation of consumer actions. My situation seems to be an alarming echo of these systemic issues.

Potential Harm and Request for Action : The unauthorized alert has placed an undue burden on my financial profile and could potentially lead to credit denials, confusion, and other financial complications. It is imperative that this alert be investigated and removed promptly to restore the accuracy and integrity of my credit report. 

Lastly, the alert on my report contains sensitive personal details, including my phone number and specific instructions for contacting me. While these details are meant to serve as safeguards, their presence without my consent actually increases my vulnerability to identity theft and fraud. In an era  where personal information is highly valuable to fraudsters, the unauthorized disclosure of my contact details and employment information can lead to further unauthorized use and potentially more damaging identity theft incidents. 

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), consumers are entitled to control over their personal information and have the right to security and privacy. The unauthorized placement of an extended fraud alert with my sensitive personal information contravenes these rights and principles.