Consumer complaint received 2025-12-24 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: AR

Complaint narrative:
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX To : Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Subject : Internal Block Removal Request Unauthorized Security Block on Credit File To Whom It May Concern : On XX/XX/XXXX, I was denied a loan due to a block or internal freeze placed on my Equifax credit profile. After contacting Equifax by phone, I was informed that I must mail a written request to remove this block. 

Please remove this internal block immediately and restore full access to my credit file and online account. 



Reason for Removal : XXXX. I never requested or authorized any block or security freeze. 
Under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-1 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), a consumer reporting agency may only place a security freeze after receiving a direct request from the consumer. Any block or freeze initiated without my consent violates this statute. 
XXXX. This unauthorized block caused material harm. 
As a result, I was denied a necessary loan, directly affecting my ability to obtain credit and manage financial obligations. 
XXXX. Equifaxs own website and FCRA requirements prohibit unrequested freezes or internal holds.

Per 15 U.S.C. 1681c-1 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), placement of a security freeze must occur upon the request of a consumer.

Additionally, 1681c-1 ( d ) mandates written notice and instructions for removal none of which were provided to me prior to this block being applied. 
XXXX. No identity theft report or block authorization exists. 
Under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2, a block on a consumers file related to identity theft may only be applied if the consumer submits : Proof of identity, A valid identity theft report, Identification of the specific fraudulent information, and A written statement denying authorization of that information.

I have never submitted such documentation. Therefore, the presence of a block without my request or identity theft claim is unlawful.

Legal Authority & Current Case Enforcement The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) has repeatedly held that Equifax and other credit reporting agencies must comply strictly with FCRA accuracy and access requirements. 
In CFPB v. Equifax ( XXXX ), Equifax was fined for failing to properly investigate consumer disputes and for improper processing of credit report restrictions. This enforcement highlights that unrequested or improperly managed file blocks violate federal consumer protection laws. 

Violations of the above provisions constitute grounds for civil liability under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o, which provide for actual, statutory, and punitive damages, as well as attorneys fees, for negligent or willful violations of the FCRA.

Requested Action Remove the unauthorized block or internal freeze on my Equifax file. 
Restore my ability to access my online Equifax account and reports. 
Provide written confirmation of removal within XXXX business days. 
Include a written explanation describing why the block was placed without my authorization. 

The system currently displays the following error : Please give us a call and give this code to the Agent : XXXX. 

Please reference this code and correct my file immediately. 



Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation