Consumer complaint received 2025-03-19 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
Dear Credit Report Agency, I am a victim of identity theft and several data breaches. I recently discovered my updated credit report and noticed a few discrepancies in connection with trade lines reporting inaccurate information. I did not give my consent for the companies below to share my non public personal information which can result in identity theft. I am requesting for accounts to be removed and update immediately. According to the FCRA it is highly important to have accurate information reporting with all three major credit report agencies, Trans Union, Equifax and Experian.

I enclose a copy of my credit report from all three credit report agencies. I am requesting for a thorough investigation please provide me with the names, phone numbers, dates, proof of documentation and times it would be every helpful for my own records. 

The laws below makes it very clear what rights and privacy I have and how I can exercise my rights. 

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ) The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ) is a federal law enacted in1974 that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA applies to any public or private elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school. 20 USC 1232g ( b ) 15 U.S. Code 1681 - Congressional findings and statement of purpose a ) Accuracy and fairness of credit reporting The Congress makes the following findings : ( 4 ) There is a need to ensure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumers right to privacy.

( b ) Reasonable procedures It is the purpose of this subchapter to require that consumer reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter.

As you can see there is a need to protect my right to privacy.

Important Definitions from 15 U.S. Code 1681a - Definitions ; rules of construction The term consumer reporting agency means any person which, for monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, and which uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports. 
The term consumer means an individual. 
The term consumer report means any written, oral, or other communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a consumers credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living ( 2 ) Exclusions ( A ) ( i ) report containing information solely as to transactions or experiences between the consumer and the person making the report ; Reporting Transaction history is illegal 15 U.S. Code 1681b - Permissible purposes of consumer reports Subject to subsection ( c ), any consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report under the following circumstances and no other ( 2 ) In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates.

They need my written consent to add anything to my consumer report if I did not give this authorization that is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act P.L 90-321 ( 82 Stat. 146 ) which is law law that backes the code is even stricter as it states that any agency can only get your report in response to a request by the head of a State or local child support enforcement agency ( or a State or local government official authorized by the head of such an agency ) 15 U.S. Code 1681c - Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports Except as authorized under subsection ( b ), no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any of the following items of information : Any other adverse item of information, other than records of convictions of crimes which antedates the report by more than seven years.

No adverse item besides the conviction of crimes should be on your report any item that is a derogatory mark is not allowed into consumer reports this is another violation Please update and remove the following trade lines from credit file. 

XXXX ) Department of education/ XXXX XXXXAcct : XXXX XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Acct : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) XXXX Acct : XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief