Consumer complaint received 2024-04-16
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (NY)

Subject : Data Breach Complaint - Unauthorized Access to Sensitive Personal Information Dear Sir/Mmadam, I am writing to file a complaint against Equifax, XXXX regarding the data breach that occurred, which resulted in the unauthorized access to my sensitive personal information. I believe Equifax failed to maintain appropriate security measures, allowing hackers to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to consumers ' private information. This incident violates various federal laws, including but not limited to, the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act. My information was compromised and impacted as a result of the data breach. 

According to the definitions provided under the Code of Federal Regulations, a " data breach '' refers to the " loss, theft, or other unauthorized access ... to data containing sensitive personal information ... that results in the potential compromise of the confidentiality or integrity of the data. '' ( 38 USC 5727 ( 4 ), https : XXXX # XXXX ). Sensitive personal information, as defined under the FCRA, includes " any information concerning creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal habits, or mode of living which is obtained for use in whole or in part as a factor in establishing the eligibility for credit, insurance, employment, or any other purpose authorized under the FCRA '' ( 15 USC 1681a, https : XXXX # XXXX ). 

Equifax publicly disclosed the data breach, revealing that hackers had accessed the personal information of approximately XXXX XXXX consumers, including their names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and driver 's license numbers. In response to this incident, Equifax offered free identity theft protection and credit monitoring services to affected consumers. However, I believe that these measures do not adequately address the harm caused by this data breach, nor do they hold Equifax accountable for their failure to protect consumers ' private information. 

As a result of this data breach, I have experienced significant anxiety and concern over the potential misuse of my personal information. I have taken steps to protect myself, such as placing a fraud alert on my credit reports and closely monitoring my financial accounts for suspicious activity. However, I can not fully mitigate the risks associated with this breach, as the extent and nature of the compromised data XXXX leave me vulnerable to identity theft and financial fraud for an extended period. 

Given these circumstances, I respectfully request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigate Equifax 's handling of the data breach and take appropriate enforcement action to hold the company accountable for their failure to safeguard consumers ' sensitive personal information. I believe that stronger regulations and penalties are necessary to deter similar incidents in the future and to ensure that consumers ' privacy rights are protected. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX