Consumer complaint received 2021-07-07
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (MD)

To Whom It May Concern : I am communicating with you directly as requested regarding concerns/ issues with my credit report. This letter represents my formal request to again dispute the aforementioned accounts as well as inquiries which are illegally being reported on my account. It was communicated to me to reach out to each individual agency to expedite the removal. As of the date of this letter, it has been over thirty days with no compliance to the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681 ) enacted by the United States Congress. By their findings, it is now my legal right to have these accounts and inquiries ( FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681n ) removed. I understand the individual in receipt of this letter is most likely not an attorney. Therefore, I have attached the laws and definitions to educate any person of my legal rights in the United States of America. I appreciate you understanding how this adversely affects me and is in violation of my rights. Thank you for helping me take this federal matter seriously! Regards XXXX XXXX Accounts Requiring Immediate Removal : XXXX XXXX XXXX Balance of {$640.00} and Account # XXXX 15 U.S. Code 1681 - Congressional findings and statement of purpose ( a ) Accuracy and fairness of credit reporting The Congress makes the following findings : ( 1 ) The banking system is dependent upon fair and accurate credit reporting. Inaccurate credit reports directly impair the efficiency of the banking system, and unfair credit reporting methods undermine the public confidence which is essential to the continued functioning of the banking system. ( 2 ) An elaborate mechanism has been developed for investigating and evaluating the credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, and general reputation of consumers. ( 3 ) Consumer reporting agencies have assumed a vital role in assembling and evaluating consumer credit and other information on consumers. ( 4 ) There is a need to insure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumers right to privacy. ( b ) Reasonable procedures It is the purpose of this subchapter to require that consumer reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter. 15 U.S. Code 1681a - Definitions ; rules of construction ( a ) Definitions and rules of construction set forth in this section are applicable for the purposes of this subchapter. ( b ) The term person means any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, estate, cooperative, association, government or governmental subdivision or agency, or other entity. ( c ) The term consumer means an individual. ( d ) Consumer Report. ( 1 ) In general.The term consumer report means any written, oral, or other communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a consumers credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living which is used or expected to be used or collected in whole or in part for the purpose of serving as a factor in establishing the consumers eligibility for ( A ) credit or insurance to be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes ; ( B ) employment purposes ; or ( C ) any other purpose authorized under section 1681b of this title. ( 2 ) Exclusions.Except as provided in paragraph ( 3 ), the term consumer report does not include ( A ) subject to section 1681s3 of this title, any ( i ) report containing information solely as to transactions or experiences between the consumer and the person making the report ; ( ii ) communication of that information among persons related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control ; or ( iii ) communication of other information among persons related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, if it is clearly and conspicuously disclosed to the consumer that the information may be communicated among such persons and the consumer is given the opportunity, before the time that the information is initially communicated, to direct that such information not be communicated among such persons ; ( B ) any authorization or approval of a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or similar device ; ( C ) any report in which a person who has been requested by a third party to make a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly to a consumer conveys his or her decision with respect to such request, if the third party advises the consumer of the name and address of the person to whom the request was made, and such person makes the disclosures to the consumer required under section 1681m of this title ; or ( D ) a communication described in subsection ( o ) or ( x ). [ 1 ] ( 3 ) Restriction on sharing of medical information.Except for information or any communication of information disclosed as provided in section 1681b ( g ) ( 3 ) of this title, the exclusions in paragraph ( 2 ) shall not apply with respect to information disclosed to any person related by common ownership or affiliated by corporate control, if the information is ( A ) medical information ; ( B ) an individualized list or description based on the payment transactions of the consumer for medical products or services ; or ( C ) an aggregate list of identified consumers based on payment transactions for medical products or services. ( e ) The term investigative consumer report means a consumer report or portion thereof in which information on a consumers character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living is obtained through personal interviews with neighbors, friends, or associates of the consumer reported on or with others with whom he is acquainted or who may have knowledge concerning any such items of information. However, such information shall not include specific factual information on a consumers credit record obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or from a consumer reporting agency when such information was obtained directly from a creditor of the consumer or from the consumer. ( f ) The term consumer reporting agency means any person which, for monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, and which uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports. ( g ) The term file, when used in connection with information on any consumer, means all of the information on that consumer recorded and retained by a consumer reporting agency regardless of how the information is stored. ( h ) The term employment purposes when used in connection with a consumer report means a report used for the purpose of evaluating a consumer for employment, promotion, reassignment or retention as an employee. ( i ) Medical Information.The term medical information ( 1 ) means information or data, whether oral or recorded, in any form or medium, created by or derived from a health care provider or the consumer, that relates to ( A ) the past, present, or future physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of an individual ; ( B ) the provision of health care to an individual ; or ( C ) the payment for the provision of health care to an individual. [ 2 ] ( 2 ) does not include the age or gender of a consumer, demographic information about the consumer, including a consumers residence address or e-mail address, or any other information about a consumer that does not relate to the physical, mental, or behavioral health or condition of a consumer, including the existence or value of any insurance policy. ( j ) Definitions Relating to Child Support Obligations. ( 1 ) Overdue support. The term overdue support has the meaning given to such term in section 666 ( e ) of title 42. ( 2 ) State or local child support enforcement agency. The term State or local child support enforcement agency means a State or local agency which administers a State or local program for establishing and enforcing child support obligations. ( k ) Adverse Action. ( 1 ) Actions included.The term adverse action ( A ) has the same meaning as in section 1691 ( d ) ( 6 ) of this title ; and ( B ) means ( i ) a denial or cancellation of, an increase in any charge for, or a reduction or other adverse or unfavorable change in the terms of coverage or amount of, any insurance, existing or applied for, in connection with the underwriting of insurance ; ( ii ) a denial of employment or any other decision for employment purposes that adversely affects any current or prospective employee ; ( iii ) a denial or cancellation of, an increase in any charge for, or any other adverse or unfavorable change in the terms of, any license or benefit described in section 1681b ( a ) ( 3 ) ( D ) of this title ; and ( iv ) an action taken or determination that is ( I ) made in connection with an application that was made by, or a transaction that was initiated by, any consumer, or in connection with a review of an account under section 1681b ( a ) ( 3 ) ( F ) ( ii ) of this title ; and ( II ) adverse to the interests of the