Consumer complaint received 2024-12-25 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Personal information incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
[ XXXX XXXX XXXX ] [ XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ] [ XXXX XXXX XXXX ] [ XXXX ] [ XXXX ] [ XXXX ] Equifax Inc. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Subject : Form
al Complaint and Demand for Compensation for FCRA and FTC Violations COMPLIANCE DEPT. 

I am writing to address Equifaxs ongoing and egregious failures in handling my credit file disputes, which have escalated into a pattern of alarming and malicious inconsistencies. Equifaxs refusal to investigate and resolve the inaccuracies in my credit report has caused significant harm to my credit standing and violated multiple provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) regulations. 

Background and Timeline On XX/XX/2024, I initiated an FTC identity theft report and placed a fraud alert on my credit file following the discovery of fraudulent activity, including the use of a false name ( XXXX XXXX ) and an incorrect address ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ). These inaccuracies are tied to a fraudulent XXXX XXXX  tradeline, which has already been successfully disputed and cleared with both XXXX XXXX and the collection agency XXXX XXXX. 

Since then, I have provided Equifax with extensive, verifiable documentation to confirm my legal name ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ), my current address ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ), and my employment at XXXX and XXXX XXXX. This documentation includes : A lease agreement in PDF form. 
Both short-form and long-form birth certificates. 
A W-2 form with my full Social Security Number. 
A paycheck stub from my employer, XXXX. 
My marriage certificate. 

Despite accepting and processing this same information, XXXX and XXXX have updated my credit file without issue. However, Equifax has maliciously refused to make these corrections. 

Alarmingly Inconsistent Correspondence Between XX/XX/2024 I received ten pieces of correspondence from Equifax. These letters demonstrate a disturbing lack of consistency, which appears intentional and malicious : 1. In some letters, Equifax states that it is unable to locate my credit file, despite the fact that other correspondence acknowledges my dispute. 
2. Other letters claim that the dispute I initiated through a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) complaint is frivolous, without providing any evidence or explanation to support this determination.

3. Additional letters state that Equifax is unable to verify my identity, despite having received the same documents that XXXX and XXXX used to resolve my disputes. 

This blatant inconsistency in Equifaxs communication not only undermines the credibility of its dispute resolution process but also highlights XXXX refusal to take my case seriously. 

Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) Equifaxs actions constitute clear violations of the FCRA, including but not limited to : 1. Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Investigation ( 1681i ( a ) ) : Equifax has failed to conduct a proper investigation into my disputes, as evidenced by contradictory responses and its refusal to act on clear documentation. 
2. Failure to Correct or Delete Inaccurate Information ( 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ) : Despite receiving verifiable proof, Equifax has not corrected the false name, address, or fraudulent tradeline in my credit file. 
3. Failure to Notify Data Furnishers of My Dispute ( 1681i ( a ) ( 2 ) ) : Equifax is required to notify the original data furnishers of my disputes. Its failure to do so has allowed fraudulent information to persist on my file. 
4. Deeming Legitimate Disputes as Frivolous ( 1681i ( a ) ( 3 ) ) : Equifax improperly labeled my dispute, initiated through the CFPB, as frivolous, in direct violation of the FCRAs requirements to assess disputes in good faith. 
5. Failure to Provide Results or Verification ( 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) - ( 7 ) ) : Equifax has not provided clear or consistent results of its investigation or the methods it used to verify the inaccurate information on my credit report. 
6. Failure to Honor Fraud Alerts ( 1681c-1 ) : Equifax has disregarded the fraud alert initiated on XX/XX/2024, failing to take the necessary precautions to protect my credit file from further misuse. 

Violations of FTC Guidelines Equifax has also failed to comply with FTC regulations, particularly the FTC Safeguards Rule, which requires credit reporting agencies to protect consumer data and ensure the accuracy of credit files. By rejecting legitimate documentation and mishandling my disputes, Equifax has neglected its duty to safeguard my information and provide a reliable resolution process. 

Harm Caused by Equifaxs Negligence Equifaxs negligence and malicious actions have caused substantial harm, including : 1. Degradation of My Credit File : The presence of fraudulent and inaccurate information has negatively impacted my credit score, limiting my ability to obtain credit and pursue personal and business opportunities. 
2. Emotional Distress : The contradictory and dismissive correspondence from Equifax has caused unnecessary stress and frustration. 
3. Interference with Employment and Business Pursuits : The inaccurate information has hindered my ability to maintain financial stability and expand my business activities with XXXX XXXX. 

Demands for Resolution To address this matter, I demand the following actions from Equifax : 1. Immediate correction of my name and address to reflect XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
2. Removal of the fraudulent XXXX XXXX tradeline and all associated inaccuracies from my credit file. 
3. A detailed explanation of the investigation process and the reasons behind the contradictory correspondence I received. 
4. Compensation for damages caused by Equifaxs negligence, including financial harm, emotional distress, and lost time. 
5. Assurance that Equifax will comply with all applicable FCRA and FTC regulations in handling my credit file moving forward. 

Legal Consequences If Equifax fails to resolve these issues within 14 days, I will escalate this matter by filing formal complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and my states Attorney Generals office. Additionally, I will pursue litigation to recover damages caused by Equifaxs blatant disregard for its legal obligations under the FCRA. 

I trust that Equifax will take this matter seriously and respond promptly. Please contact me at [ your phone number ] or [ your email address ] to confirm receipt of this letter and provide updates on the resolution process. 

Sincerely, [ XXXX XXXX XXXX ]

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief