Consumer complaint received 2025-05-17 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: NC

Complaint narrative:
Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am filing this complaint because my credit report contains multiple violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) that have significantly damaged my financial standing and well-being. The credit bureaus and data furnishers involved have failed in their responsibility to ensure accuracy and legitimacy in reporting. 

1. Inaccurate Personal Information Violation of FCRA 602 & 609 My credit report reflects several wrong addresses that are not associated with me. These inaccuracies are harmful and suggest file mixing or identity confusion : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, NC, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, SC, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, SC, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, SC, XXXX FCRA 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) gives me the right to know what is being reported and mandates that only accurate, verified personal information be maintained. Repeated listing of addresses I have never lived at shows negligence in maintaining maximum possible accuracy under FCRA 607 ( b ).

2. Unverified and Potentially Inaccurate Accounts FCRA 611 & 623 The following accounts are being reported with derogatory marks ( late payments and collections ), yet I have not received proper verification despite submitting disputes : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment Balance : {$410.00} XXXX # XXXX Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment Balance : {$0.00} XXXX XXXX  XXXX # XXXX Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment Balance : {$0.00} XXXX XXXX  # XXXX Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Collection Balance : {$640.00} These items are negatively impacting my creditworthiness, yet I was not provided with any proof of their accuracy, such as contracts, payment history, or signed agreements. As outlined in FCRA 611 ( a ) and FDCPA 809, I have the right to request debt validation, and the burden of proof lies with the data furnisher. Failure to provide documentation mandates the deletion of the accounts under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ).

3. Excessive & Unexplained Hard Inquiries FCRA 604 My credit report also includes numerous hard inquiries made without proper authorization or explanation. These inquiries are damaging my credit score and were not initiated or approved by me : XXXX XXXX  XX/XX/XXXX ( 3 times ), XX/XX/XXXX ( 3 times ), XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Under FCRA 604, credit reporting agencies may only allow access to consumer reports for permissible purposes. I did not initiate many of these inquiries, and they appear to be either unauthorized or duplicated, which may also fall under identity abuse or negligence in handling consumer information.

4. Personal Impact Due to the inaccurate addresses, unverified derogatory accounts, and excessive inquiries : My credit score has significantly dropped.

Ive been denied essential credit and rental applications.

Ive endured emotional distress and anxiety.

My ability to access fair financial opportunities has been severely hindered.

Despite efforts to resolve these issues directly with the credit bureaus, they have continued to verify these inaccurate items without providing documentation, in violation of FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) and 611 ( a ) ( 5 ).

Requested Resolution : Delete all incorrect addresses listed above.

Remove or fully validate all listed accounts with supporting documentation.

Investigate and remove any unauthorized or duplicated hard inquiries.

Enforce penalties for noncompliance under FCRA 616 & 617 if willful neglect is found.

Relevant Laws Violated : FCRA 602 ( a ), 607 ( b ), 609 ( a ), 611 ( a ), 623 ( a ) FCRA 604 Unauthorized inquiries FDCPA 809 Debt validation requirement Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust the CFPB will act to ensure that my rights under the law are respected and that the reporting agencies are held accountable.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief