Consumer complaint received 2025-08-15 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
On or around XX/XX/year>, I received an email from FICO notifying me that a fraud alert had been placed on my credit file and that Experian was the source of this alert. I did not request, authorize, or consent to this action.

When I checked my TransUnion online account, I discovered an initial fraud alert had been added there as well. I had to manually remove it. Upon reviewing my Equifax online credit report, I also saw that an issued fraud alert appeared there. Most recently, when reviewing my Experian dispute reinvestigation report, I found that at the top of my credit file Experian had inserted a personal statement indicating a fraud alert.

I have never requested a fraud alert with any credit bureau. The placement of these alerts by Experian, and the resulting spread to TransUnion and Equifax was done without my knowledge, without my permission, and without any verified consumer request.

This appears to be retaliation or improper action in response to my ongoing disputes with Experian. In my previous CFPB complaints, Experian refused to conduct proper reinvestigations, falsely claimed my disputes were fraudulent, and ignored the documentation I provided, including my drivers license, Social Security card, and proof of address. Despite this, they have repeatedly verified inaccurate information without providing proof, a clear violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ).

Why this is a violation : Under the FCRA, credit bureaus are required to : Conduct reasonable reinvestigations when a consumer disputes inaccurate or incomplete information.

Maintain accurate credit file information.

Obtain the consumers consent or a qualifying request before placing a fraud alert ( 605A, 15 U.S.C. 1681c-1 ).

By placing a fraud alert without my consent, Experian ( and, through its transmission, Equifax and TransUnion ) has : Misrepresented my credit file to third parties.

Created unnecessary barriers to obtaining credit.

Potentially damaged my credit reputation by suggesting my identity has been compromised when it has not.

Engaged in a pattern of willful noncompliance with the FCRA by avoiding accurate dispute resolution and substituting retaliatory or negligent file notations instead.

What I am requesting : Immediate removal of all fraud alerts and related personal statements from my credit files with all three credit bureaus.

Written confirmation from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion that no fraud alert remains and that no new alerts will be placed without my explicit written request.

Full documentation of how, when, and why the fraud alert was initiated, including any internal notes, third-party requests, or data-sharing communications.

Corrective action by the CFPB to address the pattern of Experian misusing fraud alerts instead of fulfilling its statutory dispute and reinvestigation obligations.

The bureaus unauthorized placement of fraud alerts has harmed my ability to conduct normal financial business, delayed legitimate credit applications, and caused significant stress and reputational damage. This is part of an ongoing pattern of willful noncompliance and must be addressed.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation