Consumer complaint received 2024-08-05 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: FL

Complaint narrative:
I am filing a complaint against the consumer reporting agencies Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX for multiple violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ), the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and the Privacy Act of 1974. These violations have caused me significant harm finacially, I have suffered Emotional and psycholigical harm, I have missed financial opportunities, and lost of time attempting to correct these errors. 

I have been violated by the consumer reporting agencies Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ). Disclosure of Education Records without Consent ( 20 USC 1232g ( b ) ). 20 USC 1232g ( b ) states that education records must not be released without consent, except under specific exceptions. Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX have disclosed my education records without my consent since opening the account. Disclosure of Directory Information without Notice ( 20 USC 1232g ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ) Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX have disclosed my directory information without providing public notice and allowing a reasonable period for opting out. The law 20 USC 1232g ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) requires educational institutions to give public notice of the categories of directory information and allow a reasonable time for parents or eligible students to opt out of the disclosure. 

I have also been violated by the consumer reporting agencies Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) by all three reporting agencies per Inaccurate Reporting ( 15 USC 1681e ( b ) ) Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX have failed to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy of the information contained in my consumer reports. Misspelling of names, non mailable addresses, and old employers which are connecting me to old accounts and are causing me harm and humiliation by hurting my credit score. Law 15 USC 1681e ( b ) requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information. Lack of Consent ( 15 USC 1681b ( a ) ( 2 ) ) Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX obtained and used my consumer report without my written consent for purposes not explicitly allowed by the FCRA. Law 15 USC 1681b ( a ) ( 2 ) states that consumer report can be furnished only with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates. I the federally protected consumer have never given them written instructions and all three companies have furnishing my report without my written consent. Failure to Notify of Negative Information ( 15 USC 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 7 ) ) Furnishers of information failed to notify me when negative information was reported to Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX within XXXX days. Law 15 USC 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 7 ) mandates that furnishers notify consumers within XXXX days when negative information is added to their credit report. Improper Disclosure of Information ( 15 USC 6801 and 15 USC 6802 ( b ) ( c ) ) Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX have disclosed my nonpublic personal information without my consent and without providing an explanation of how I could exercise my nondisclosure option. Law 15 USC 6801 requires financial institutions to respect the privacy of customers and protect the confidentiality of their information. 15 USC 6802 ( b ) ( c ) states that a financial institution may not disclose nonpublic personal information to a non-affiliated third party unless the consumer is given an explanation of how to exercise the nondisclosure option. I the consumer was never given an explanation on how to exercise the nondisclosure option and have violated my privacy and have failed to protect the confidentiality of my information. This has cause signifacte damage to my reputation and credit worthiness and has started to effect me emotionally and finically. Failure to Describe Opt-Out Policies ( 15 USC 6802 ( a ) ) Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX did not adequately describe their opt-out policies and procedures in their privacy notice. Law 15 USC 6803 ( a ) requires financial institutions to provide a clear, conspicuous, and accurate statement of their privacy practices, including information on consumers rights to opt out. I the consumer have never received any notice to Opt-Out and the policies to exercise my rights. 

The consumer reporting agencies Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX have also violated me the consumer under the Privacy Act of 1974 ( 5 USC 552a ) Improper Disclosure of Records Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX disclosed records containing personal information without my prior written consent.The law 5 USC 552a ( b ) states that no agency shall disclose any record contained in a system of records to any person or another agency without the written consent of the individual to whom the record pertains, except as specified. The entire Privacy act of 1974 have violated by these XXXX companies. 

As a result of these violations, I have suffered significant harm finacially by denial of housing, higher interest rates, increased insurance premiums, loss of rental oppurtunites, and higher security deposits. I have suffered Emotional and psychological harm such as stress and anxiety, emotional distress and signifacated damages to my reputation. 

I request all three agencies, immediate cessation of the improper disclosure and reporting of my information negatively. Please note according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 15 USC 6801 states that it is illegal to report transaction history. Congress also requires financial institutions to protect the privacy and confidentiality of their customers non- public information. I request that all accounts reporting should be reporting as paid as agreed or be removed. Correction or removal of the inaccurate and outdated information from my consumer reports.

All other addresses should be removed due to non mailable addresses, inaccurate reporting and Obligation with respect to disclosures of personal information. The only employer reporting should be XXXX XXXX XXXX Assurance of compliance with the relevant laws to prevent future violations. 
I am requesting compensation for the damages suffered due to these violations {$1000.00}, including any actual damages {$1000.00} permitted under 15 USC 1681n. All hard and soft inquiries should be removed per 15 USC 1681 ( b ) Permissable purposes of consumer reports. 

Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX have violated multiple provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ), the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and the Privacy Act of 1974, resulting in significant harm to me as a consumer. I request the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to take immediate action to address these violations and enforce compliance with the relevant laws.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief