Consumer complaint received 2024-07-16
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (TX)

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX, IA XXXX Subject : Complaint Regarding Identity Theft and Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) by Credit Reporting Agencies Dear Sir/Madam , I am writing to file a formal complaint against the three major credit reporting agencies ( CRAs ) Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX their failure to address and correct fraudulent activities on my credit report, in clear violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

Background : On XX/XX/XXXX, I discovered unauthorized accounts and inquiries on my credit reports from Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX. Specifically, the fraudulent accounts include : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Upon realizing this, I immediately contacted the CRAs and provided them with the necessary documentation to prove that these accounts were a result of identity theft, including a police report and an FTC Identity Theft Affidavit. 

Violations : 1. Failure to Block Fraudulent Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) : Under the FCRA, specifically 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2, credit reporting agencies are required to block the reporting of information that resulted from identity theft within four business days of receipt of appropriate documentation. Despite my submission of the required documentation, the CRAs have failed to block the fraudulent information on my credit reports. 
2. Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Reinvestigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ) : The FCRA mandates that CRAs conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed information. I have repeatedly disputed the fraudulent accounts with the CRAs, yet they continue to verify the fraudulent information without a proper investigation, in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ). 

Supporting Legal Precedents : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) : This case established that a CRAs failure to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation into disputed information constitutes a violation of the FCRA. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Cir. XXXX ) : This case held that CRAs must adopt procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Cir. XXXX ) : This case affirmed that a credit reporting agency must go beyond mere reliance on automated processes to verify disputed information. 

Relief Sought : 1. Immediate blocking of all fraudulent information on my credit reports as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2.

2. A thorough and reasonable reinvestigation of all disputed items on my credit reports.

3. Written confirmation from each CRA that the fraudulent information has been removed. 
4. Compensation for any financial harm and distress caused by these violations.

I trust that the CFPB will take immediate action to ensure that the CRAs comply with their legal obligations under the FCRA. Please contact me should you require any further information or documentation. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX