Consumer complaint received 2024-07-03
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: LEXISNEXIS (WA)

I am writing to file a formal complaint against LexisNexis Risk Solutions XXXX ( hereinafter " LexisNexis '' ) for the inaccurate reporting of a bankruptcy on my credit reports with XXXX and XXXX, which constitutes a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

Summary of the Dispute : I have a bankruptcy being reported on my XXXX and XXXX credit reports that does not belong to me. I am a victim of identity theft, and this inaccurate information has severely affected my creditworthiness and financial well-being. XXXX and XXXX claim that they verified this information with the bankruptcy court ; however, the bankruptcy court has stated unequivocally that they do not verify or provide information to consumer reporting agencies. Specifically, the Bankruptcy Court asserts : " The Bankruptcy Court does not report or provide information to consumer reporting agencies. The Bankruptcy Court is not responsible for verifying or validating information in consumers credit reports '' ( see https : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ). 

When I presented this information to XXXX and XXXX, they responded that the bankruptcy was verified by LexisNexis. Upon contacting LexisNexis, I received a form letter stating that the last XXXX digits of my social security number and an address match the information they have on file. However, the address in question has never been and is not my address. Furthermore, considering that the last XXXX digits of a social security number are not unique and can easily match multiple individuals ( see XXXX XXXX  XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ), it is beyond reasonable to assert that LexisNexis is inaccurately attributing this bankruptcy to me based on incomplete and unreliable data. 

Violation of Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9037 : Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9037 mandates that certain personal identification information be redacted from documents filed with the court. Filings containing an individual 's social security number, taxpayer identification number, or birth date ; the name of a minor ; or a financial account number may only include : The last XXXX digits of the social security number and taxpayer identification number ; The year of the individual 's birth ; The minors initials ; The last XXXX digits of the financial account number. 
Given this redaction requirement, it is axiomatic that the bankruptcy could not possibly be accurately reported in compliance with the FCRA. The law commands credit reporting companies to follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy. 

FCRA Compliance Issues and Identity Theft : Under the FCRA, credit reporting agencies are required to report only accurate and verifiable information. The inaccurate reporting of this bankruptcy by LexisNexis and its inclusion in my XXXX and XXXX credit reports demonstrates a blatant disregard for the requirement to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of consumer information. Such inaccuracies have significant adverse effects on my creditworthiness and financial well-being. 

As a victim of identity theft, I have provided both the FTC fraud affidavit and the required police report in my dispute request. According to the FCRA, information related to identity theft must be " blocked '' within four days of receiving such documentation. FCRA 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) states : " Block. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days ... '' LexisNexis has failed to comply with this requirement.