Consumer complaint received 2024-12-19 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint concerning the handling of my credit report by the three major Credit Reporting Agencies ( CRAs ) Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX. After reviewing my credit report, I discovered a significant number of inaccuracies, including multiple unauthorized inquiries, which I did not consent to and am unaware of. Upon noticing these errors, I suspected that I may have been a victim of identity theft. 

To address my concerns, I immediately reported these discrepancies to the CRAs, informing them that I believed I was a victim of identity theft. However, I am deeply disappointed to inform you that the CRAs have failed to act in accordance with the law and did not remove the unauthorized information from my credit report, despite my clear communication. 

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), specifically Section 605B, when an individual notifies a CRA that they have been a victim of identity theft, the CRA is legally obligated to block any information related to the identity theft from the credit report within four business days. The law also requires that they investigate claims of fraud and provide a timely resolution. 

Moreover, under Texas Penal Code Section 32.51 ( Identity Theft ), it is a criminal offense for someone to use another persons identifying information without consent. I am reporting a situation in which my identity appears to have been used fraudulently, and I am being burdened with the fallout of this crime, despite my efforts to resolve the issue. 

Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), in compliance with the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act ( ITADA ), mandates that upon being informed of a potential identity theft, CRAs must take immediate and appropriate action. The CRAs must either remove or block any fraudulent information from the report. By not adhering to these guidelines, the CRAs have failed in their statutory duty to protect consumers like myself. 

I am demanding that the CRAs immediately remove all unauthorized inquiries and correct the inaccurate information on my credit report, as required by law. Their failure to do so is leaving me in a precarious situation, where I am being wrongfully treated as the person at fault, while I am, in fact, the victim of a crime. If these matters are not addressed promptly and adequately, I will have no other option but to pursue legal action, including litigation, to protect my rights and restore my credit. 

I respectfully request that you intervene on my behalf to ensure that the CRAs are held accountable for their failure to act in accordance with federal, state, and FCRA laws, as outlined above. It is imperative that I be treated as a victim of identity theft, not as someone at fault for these unauthorized actions. 

I appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to a timely and thorough resolution. Should you require any additional documentation, please do not hesitate to contact me, I am also attaching my Identity Theft Report and the letters I sent to the CRAs

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief