Consumer complaint received 2024-04-27
Product: Debt or credit management — Credit repair services
Issue: Confusing or missing disclosures — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (WI)

Dear Sir/Madam, This notice is regarding the information listed on my credit reports associated with my social security number. It has come to my attention there are aliases and other information reported that are not directly from a VERIFIED RECORD. I am extremely concerned about the privacy and accuracy of this information, as my SOCIAL SECURITY number is a private identifier and should only be used by entities with whom I AUTHORIZED AND have a direct business with. Under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act ( FDCPA ) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), information reported by credit reporting agencies must be ACCURATE, VERIFIED, and VALIDATED. Any reporting of aliases or other information obtained from public data gathering aggregators violates my right to privacy and fails to meet the legal requirements outlined by the FDCPA and FCRA, AS SUCH INFORMATION IS NEITHER ACCURATE, VERIFIED, OR VALID AS REQUIRED BY LAW. MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HAS NEVER BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC RECORDS, AND SUCH RECORD GATHERING MUST BE DEEMED AS INACCURATE IF THERE IS A CLAIM THAT IT IS.

Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) Accuracy of Information 15 USC. subsection 1681e ( b ) : Requires consumer reporting agencies follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates. 

Dispute Resolution 15 USC subsection 1681s-2 : Responsibilities of entities that furnish information to consumer reporting agencies are to provide accurate information, investigate disputes received from consumer reporting agencies, and correct or delete inaccurate or unverified information. ( WHO PROVIDED THIS INFORMATION TO YOU, WHICH YOU REPORT ABOUT ME? ) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) Acquisition of Location Information 15 USC subsection 1692 ( b ) : Any debt collector communicating with any person other than the consumer to acquire information about the consumer without stating the consumer owes any debt.

Communication in Connection with Debt Collection 15 USC subsection 1692 ( c ) : Prohibits deceptive collection practices, indirectly requiring any information communicated not be misleading or inaccurate. 

Validation of Debts 15 USC subsection 1692 ( g ) : Debt collectors provide consumers with written notice containing the amount of debt, the name of creditor, and a statement ( unless the consumer disputes validity ) within 30 days, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector.

Consumer Credit Protection Act ( CCPA ) encompasses several statutes, including the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ), the FCRA, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ), and the FDCPA, among others. The CCPA established these acts under its umbrella which signifies legislative framework for consumer credit protection, including
accurate and fair credit reporting and debt collection practices.

Consequences for NON-COMPLIANCE : Failure to comply with these requirements can result in several consequences for creditors, debt collectors, and consumer reporting agencies, including : Civil Liability 15 USC subsection 1681n and 1681o for FCRA : I, the consumer, bring civil action against violators for statutory damages, punitive damages and claim against insurance bonds. 

Enforcement Actions : Agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), Small Claims Court having jurisdiction, can enforce these laws, resulting in fines, penalties, and injunction/directives to correct practices.

Reputation Damage : Non-compliance that leads to reputational damage, defamation of character, and civil action affecting business relationships and consumer trust of the violating entity.