Consumer complaint received 2025-05-21 00:00:00
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.
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint due to serious errors and possible violations of my consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ). Specifically, I am disputing late payment notations and multiple unauthorized or excessive inquiries that have been reported to the credit bureaus ( primarily TransUnion ) without my consent, knowledge, or legal justification. 

1. Incorrect Late Payments Department of Education XXXX accounts associated with the Department of Education are showing late payment entries that are not accurate and were never verified with me directly : DEPT OF EDUCATIONXXXX Account # XXXX DEPT OF ED Account XXXX XXXX XXXX These accounts are being inaccurately reported as delinquent when I had either made timely payments, was under forbearance, or was in dispute. No proper notice of delinquency was given, no opportunity to validate or correct was provided, and no effort to confirm the accuracy of the report appears to have occurred prior to this negative entry. This is a violation of FCRA 1681e ( b ), which requires maximum possible accuracy.

2. Unauthorized or Excessive Hard Inquiries My credit report is showing numerous inquiries that I did not initiate, authorize, or knowingly consent to. These inquiries have negatively affected my credit score, and their volume suggests either negligent handling, data abuse, or a failure of internal controls at the reporting agencies. These include : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX I did not initiate credit applications for most of these inquiries. Many are from the same providers multiple times within short timeframes, further suggesting potential system errors, data harvesting, or impermissible access in violation of FCRA 1681b ( Limits on Permissible Purpose ). Furthermore, some inquiries appear to be falsely initiated in my name or profile, possibly as a result of third-party data sharing or abuse without my direct consent.

Requested Action : I want the Department of Education to remove the inaccurate late payment history and provide written verification of accuracy if they continue reporting.

I demand TransUnion ( and other relevant bureaus ) remove all inquiries that can not be supported with documented proof of my written authorization and a legally permissible purpose.

I request the CFPB to investigate whether these institutions violated FCRA 1681b, 1681e ( b ), and 1681s-2, and whether further enforcement is necessary. 

I request assistance in restoring my credit score and removing all false, excessive, or unverifiable entries. 

These reporting errors have caused me emotional distress, credit denials, and reputational harm. I expect full compliance with federal law, corrective action, and written confirmation within the legally mandated timelines. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this complaint.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation