Consumer complaint received 2024-11-21 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account status incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Attn : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Subject : Complaint Against XXXX, Equifax, XXXX And XXXX XXXX for Failure to Block- Fraudulent Information in Violation of 15 U.S.C . 1681c-2 ( a ) Dear CFPB I am submitting this complaint regarding XXXX, XXXX, Equifax and XXXXXXXX XXXX violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ), which mandates the blocking of fraudulent information from consumer credit reports upon receiving proper documentation. XXXX, XXXX and Equifax refusal to block a XXXX XXXX account that I have identified as fraudulent has caused undue harm and is in direct contravention of the law. 

On XX/XX/year>, at XXXXXXXX XXXX I contacted XXXX ( reference call case number XXXX ) to follow up on a dispute I filed concerning the fraudulent XXXX XXXXXXXX account. During the call, I spoke with a fraud supervisor and explained that I had submitted all the required documents to support my request for blocking the account, as outlined under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ). These documents were sent via certified mail ( tracking number : XXXX ) and confirmed received by XXXX. 
( tracking number : XXXX ) and confirmed received by Equifax. 
( tracking number : XXXX ) and confirmed received by XXXX. 

Despite meeting all legal requirements, the fraud supervisor stated that the account would not be blocked because a payment was made on the account. I explained that the statute does not consider whether payments were made and specifically requires the account to be blocked pending investigation to prevent further harm to the consumer. This law exists to protect consumers like me from prolonged financial and reputational harm caused by fraudulent accounts. Nevertheless, the supervisor refused to comply and ultimately ended the call abruptly. 

Later that evening, at approximately XXXXXXXX XXXX, I received an email from XXXX confirming theyd had my dispute documents in their possession for five days but were still awaiting a response from the creditor. This delay is irrelevant under the statute because federal law overrides any internal policies or procedures XXXX may have. XXXX failure to promptly block the fraudulent account demonstrates a clear disregard for the protections afforded to consumers under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 
Similar conversations with XXXX and Equifax have been held, but I still suffer the same results of noncompliance. 

The relevant legal provision, 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ), states : A consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than four business days after receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer. 

I have fully complied with these requirements, yet XXXX, Equifax and XXXX continue to report the fraudulent account on my credit file, which is in direct violation of this law. This has caused unnecessary stress, financial harm, and damage to my creditworthiness. 

I respectfully request the CFPB to take immediate action to address XXXX, Equifax and XXXX failure to comply with federal law. I urge the CFPB to investigate this matter thoroughly, ensure that XXXX, Equifax and XXXX fulfill their legal obligations, and take any necessary enforcement actions to prevent further violations. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am confident that the CFPB will act to uphold consumer rights and ensure compliance with the FCRA. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief