Consumer complaint received 2025-04-09 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
this formal complaint against TransUnion and TransUnion for multiple violations of federal law, including but not limited to the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and Title 18 of the U.S. Code. My primary concern arises from the mishandling of my credit file, improper reinsertion of fraudulent accounts, failure to block fraudulent information, and obstruction of justice. Background of the Incident I lost my purse, which contained my government-issued ID, Social Security card , and financial documents. Despite my efforts to recover it, I was unable to do so. At the time, I did not immediately report the loss, as I did not notice any unauthorized activity. However, upon reviewing my credit report, I discovered that fraudulent accounts had been opened shortly after the loss using my stolen information. These fraudulent accounts were not only unauthorized but also resulted in adverse actions sent to an address that does not belong to me. I have since filed a police report and an FTC Identity Theft Report to document and address this identity theft. Despite these reports, TransUnion has refused to remove fraudulent accounts and TransUnions Special Handling Department, under the authority of an individual named XXXX, has been uncooperative, dismissive, and has failed to take the necessary protective actions regarding my identity and account security. Violations Committed by TransUnion 1. Unlawful Reinsertion of Fraudulent Accounts TransUnion initially removed a fraudulent account after my dispute, only to reinsert it without the legally required notice, violating 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of the FCRA. This action deprived me of my right to dispute it again, a blatant violation of consumer protection laws. 2. Failure to Block Fraudulent Information Under FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ), a credit reporting agency must block identity theft-related information within four business days after receiving appropriate documentation, such as an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report. Despite my submission of these documents, TransUnion refused to comply, allowing fraudulent accounts to continue damaging my credit profile. 3. Failure to Validate Information I formally requested debt validation for these fraudulent accounts under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ), but TransUnion failed to provide any proof that I authorized the accounts. If no such proof exists, they are legally required to delete the information immediately, yet they continue to report these fraudulent accounts. 4. Criminal Violations Committed by TransUnion By knowingly reporting false information, TransUnion is engaged in multiple criminal offenses, including : Wire Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1343 ) : Transmitting fraudulent credit information electronically across state lines, despite receiving an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report. Bank Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1344 ) : Knowingly allowing fraudulent accounts to remain, misleading federally insured financial institutions in lending decisions. Mail Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1341 ) : Enabling creditors to send adverse action notices to an incorrect address, preventing me from disputing fraudulent accounts. Conspiracy to Commit Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 371 ) : Willfully collaborating with creditors to maintain fraudulent accounts despite evidence of identity theft. Obstruction of Justice ( 18 U.S.C. 1519 ) : Refusing to acknowledge official reports, obstructing federal investigations, and hindering regulatory enforcement efforts. Violations Committed by TransUnions Special Handling Department 1. Failure to Properly Investigate and Protect My Identity TransUnion, under the supervision of an individual named XXXX in the Special Handling Department Case Number : XXXX has failed to secure my credit file and has acted in bad faith. Despite my request for added security measures, XXXX has been uncooperative, rude, and negligent in addressing my identity theft concerns. This is a direct violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( a ) ( 2 ), which mandates credit bureaus to ensure the accuracy and protection of consumer credit reports. 2. Failure to Adhere to the FCRA and CFPB Guidelines As a consumer reporting agency, TransUnion is required to maintain accurate credit files and must comply with all consumer protection laws. Their failure to do so constitutes : Negligent Noncompliance with the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681o ) : Failing to take reasonable steps to prevent identity theft and fraudulent credit reporting. Willful Noncompliance with the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n ) : Knowingly allowing inaccurate and fraudulent information to remain on my credit report. I lost my PURSE, which contained sensitive personal information, including my government-issued ID, Social Security card , and financial documents. Despite retracing my steps, I was unable to recover it. At the time, I did not report the loss because I did not notice any immediate fraudulent activity. Recently, while reviewing my credit report, I discovered fraudulent accounts had been opened in my name shortly after the loss. These accounts were opened without my authorization, using my stolen information, and adverse actions were sent to an address that does not belong to me. I am filing this report because I believe the person who found my wallet used my personal information to commit identity theft. I am pursuing all legal remedies to resolve this matter and hold the responsible party accountable. I am filing this complaint against TransUnion for multiple violations of federal law regarding their handling of fraudulent accounts on my credit report. Despite an FTC Identity Theft Report already on file and a newly filed police report, TransUnion continues to report accounts that were fraudulently opened in my name. These accounts stem from a stolen wallet containing my government-issued ID, Social Security card , and financial information, which led to unauthorized credit activity. Violations Committed by TransUnion 1. Unlawful Reinsertion of Fraudulent Accounts TransUnion initially deleted an account after my dispute, only to reinsert it without legally required notice under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ). This is a clear violation, as they failed to provide written notification within five business days, depriving me of my right to dispute it again. 2. Failure to Block Fraudulent Information Under FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ), TransUnion must block information resulting from identity theft within four business days after receiving proper documentation, including an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report. They refused to comply, allowing creditors to continue reporting fraudulent accounts. 3. Failure to Validate Information I requested debt validation for the fraudulent accounts as required under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ), but TransUnion failed to provide any proof that I authorized these accounts. If no legal proof exists, they are obligated to delete the information immediately. 4. Criminal Violations Committed By knowingly reporting false information, TransUnion is engaging in wire fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1343 ), bank fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1344 ), and mail fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1341 ), as they transmitted fraudulent data electronically and allowed adverse action notices to be sent to an incorrect address. Additionally, their actions amount to conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. 371, as they are willfully participating in deceptive financial reporting that harms consumers. TransUnion is not above the law and can not continue to act as if they are merely a reporting entity while ignoring their legal obligations. I will pursue civil litigation if necessary and will also escalate this matter to the United States District Attorney for criminal review. There is indisputable evidence proving TransUnion Is noncompliance, and they can not lawfully claim innocence given the facts presented. Criminal Violations Committed by TransUnion Under Title 18 U.S. Code TransUnion actions in knowingly re-reporting fraudulent accounts, failing to block identity theft-related information, and refusing to comply with federal dispute laws constitute multiple criminal violations under Title 18 of the United States Code . These violations extend beyond civil infractions and fall under federal criminal law, which carries severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Below are the specific statutes TransUnion has violated : 1. Wire Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1343 ) TransUnion has engaged in wire fraud by electronically transmitting false and misleading information across state lines. Despite receiving an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report, they continue to report fraudulent accounts as valid. By doing so, they knowingly facilitate the misrepresentation of my financial status to lenders, which can cause financial harm, denials of credit, or higher interest rates. This constitutes a scheme to defraud, using electronic means to commit fraud against me as a consumer. 2. Bank Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1344 ) TransUnion refusal to correct fraudulent accounts enables creditors to make lending decisions based on false information. This affects federally insured banks that rely on TransUnion reports when determining loan eligibility. By knowingly allowing fraudulent accounts to remain, TransUnion is aiding and abetting bank fraud by facilitating financial deception that leads to wrongful lending or credit denials. 3. Mail Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1341 ) TransUnion permitted creditors to send adverse action notices to an incorrect address, resulting in my inability to dispute fraudulent accounts in a timely manner. Mailing false credit reports and adverse actions based on fraudulent data constitutes mail fraud, as they knowingly sent or caused misleading documents to be mailed, which is a federal offense. 4. Conspiracy to Commit Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 371 ) TransUnion willful collaboration with creditors to keep fraudulent accounts reporting, despite clear evidence of identity theft, constitutes conspiracy to commit fraud. They are acting in concert with financial institutions by refusing to delete fraudulent accounts, ultimately harming consumers while profiting from inaccurate credit reporting. 5. Obstruction of Justice ( 18 U.S.C. 1519 ) TransUnion refusal to acknowledge official identity theft complaints, police reports, and FTC reports amounts to obstruction of justice. By ignoring and delaying legally required actions, they are actively interfering with federal investigations and regulatory enforcement, which is a federal crime.Under the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681b, a consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report only under certain circumstances and for specified permissible purposes. I did not authorize these entities to access my credit information, nor did any permissible purpose exist for such inquiries and account postings. Therefore, their actions constitute a direct violation of federal law. 2. Unauthorized Access under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ( CFAA ), 18 U.S.C. 1030 ( a ) ( 2 ) Accessing my credit information without proper authorization may also constitute a violation of the CFAA, 18 U.S.C. 1030 ( a ) ( 2 ), which prohibits intentionally accessing a computer without authorization or exceeding authorized access to obtain information. By retrieving my credit report without my consent, these entities have potentially engaged in unlawful access to protected computer systems containing my personal and financial data. 3. TransUnion 's Responsibility under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) As a consumer reporting agency, TransUnion is obligated under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation if a consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of any item in their credit file. Failure to promptly correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information after such a dispute constitutes non-compliance with federal law. It is imperative that TransUnion upholds its legal duties to ensure the integrity of the information it reports. 4. Failure to Assure Maximum Possible Accuracy, 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) Under 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ), TransUnion must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates. The inclusion of unauthorized inquiries and accounts indicates a failure to maintain reasonable procedures, thereby violating this provision of the FCRA. 5. Facilitating Violations of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ), 15 U.S.C. 6801 The GLBA requires financial institutions to protect the security and confidentiality of consumers ' nonpublic personal information. By allowing unauthorized entities to access and place information on my credit report, TransUnion may be facilitating violations of the GLBA, compromising the privacy and security of my personal financial data. 6. Negative Impact on My Creditworthiness These unauthorized inquiries and accounts have adversely affected my credit score and creditworthiness, causing potential harm to my financial reputation and opportunities. Under the FCRA, I have the right to dispute inaccurate information and expect timely correction to prevent further damage. 7. Violation of Wire Fraud Statute ( 18 U.S.C. 1343 ) TransUnion has committed wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. 1343 by electronically transmitting unauthorized hard inquiries and accounts on my credit report without my explicit consent. By using interstate wire communications to execute this scheme, TransUnion intentionally misrepresented my credit information. Despite prior disputes and notices, the company repeatedly included these unauthorized entries, demonstrating an intentional effort to defraud me through electronic means. This misuse of electronic systems to disseminate false information satisfies all elements required for wire fraud under federal law. 8. Violations Under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ( RICO ) ( 18 U.S.C. 19611968 ) This marks the third instance in which TransUnion has been involved in reporting unauthorized inquiries and accounts from the same entities on my credit report. Under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ( RICO ), 18 U.S.C. 19611968, engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity connected to an enterprise is prohibited. TransUnion 's repeated unauthorized reporting of this information, in collaboration with these companies, constitutes a pattern of racketeering activity. By knowingly facilitating these unauthorized entries, TransUnion is participating in an enterprise engaging in illegal activities, thereby violating RICO statutes. 9. Violation of Mail Fraud Statute ( 18 U.S.C. 1341 ) TransUnion is sending me copies of my credit report via postal mail, which contain unauthorized and inaccurate information. By using the United States Postal Service to deliver these credit reports with knowingly incorrect data, TransUnion is utilizing the mail system to further a scheme that misrepresents my creditworthiness. This action constitutes mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. 1341, which prohibits the use of the postal service in executing a scheme to defraud or obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises. TransUnion 's deliberate dissemination of false credit information through the mail meets all legal criteria for mail fraud as defined by federal law. 10. Aiding and Abetting Unauthorized Activities ( 18 U.S.C. 2 ) TransUnion is allowing these companies to place unauthorized inquiries and accounts on my credit report without proper verification or permissible purpose. By facilitating these unlawful actions and failing to protect me as a consumer, TransUnion is aiding and abetting these entities in violating federal laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Under 18 U.S.C. 2, anyone who aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces, or procures the commission of a federal offense is punishable as a principal. TransUnion 's negligence and failure to exercise due diligence make them complicit in these unlawful activities, directly contributing to the harm inflicted upon me. 11. Grounds for Bank Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1344 ) TransUnion 's actions also constitute bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. 1344, which prohibits schemes to defraud financial institutions or to obtain assets under their control by means of false or fraudulent pretenses. By inaccurately reporting information that adversely affects my creditworthiness, TransUnion is influencing financial institutions to make decisions based on false information. This leads to wrongful financial gain for the entities involved and causes financial harm to me. Manipulating credit reports in this manner meets the criteria for bank fraud as defined by federal law.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation