Consumer complaint received 2024-09-16
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (MD)

Subject : Formal Request for Removal of Incorrectly Reported Addresses and Violations of Federal, State, and Maryland Laws Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to formally request the removal of multiple incorrect addresses that have been reported on my credit file without my consent or knowledge. As a victim of identity theft stemming from the Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX ( XXXX ) data breaches, my personal information has been misused, resulting in the reporting of addresses that are not associated with me. 

Incorrect Addresses Reported Due to Identity Theft : The following addresses have been incorrectly associated with my credit file : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX addresses have no connection to me, and their reporting on my credit file is erroneous. 

Addresses Reporting Inaccurately That Should Be Removed : The following address is inaccurately reported and must be removed from my credit file : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, MD XXXX Violations of Federal, State, and Maryland Laws XXXX The unauthorized reporting of incorrect addresses and the sharing of my personal information with third parties without my consent violate several federal and state laws, including : Federal Violations Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681b This law requires consumer reporting agencies, including XXXX, to ensure that the information they report is accurate and used only for permissible purposes. The reporting of incorrect addresses linked to identity theft violates this federal law. 

Federal Violations 15 U.S.C. 1681i The FCRA requires credit bureaus to investigate disputed information within 30 days. I expect your agencies to investigate this inaccurate and unauthorized address information promptly.

Federal Violations Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692c ( b ) This act prohibits the dissemination of personal information, including addresses, to unauthorized third parties without consumer consent. 

Maryland State Violations Maryland XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), Md. Code Com. Law 13-101 et seq. 
The XXXX protects consumers from deceptive trade practices, including the unauthorized use of their personal information. The failure to safeguard my personal data and the inaccurate reporting of these addresses violate my consumer protection rights under Maryland law. 

Maryland XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), Md. XXXX XXXX. XXXX. XXXX XXXX to XXXX XXXX XXXX, businesses, including XXXX ( XXXX ), must take reasonable steps to protect personal information and notify consumers in the event of a data breach. The Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX data breaches compromised my personal data, which was then misused for fraudulent address reporting. 

Impact of the Data Breach and Identity Theft : As a direct result of the Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX ( XXXX ) data breaches, my personal information was exposed, including addresses and other identifying details. This breach allowed unauthorized individuals to misuse my information, resulting in the incorrect reporting of the above-listed addresses. 

Request for Immediate Action : In accordance with federal, state, and Maryland laws, I request the following : Immediate removal of all incorrect and unauthorized addresses from my credit reports with Equifax, XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX ( XXXX ). 
A thorough investigation into the accuracy of all other personal information reported on my file. 
A written confirmation of the removal of the incorrect addresses and any other corrections made to my credit report. 
Assurance that no future incorrect addresses or false information will be reported without my knowledge and consent. 
Please treat this letter as a formal dispute and a demand for corrective action under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Maryland XXXX XXXX XXXX, and other applicable state laws. I expect to receive a resolution within the legally required time frame of 30 days. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.