Consumer complaint received 2025-12-02 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: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint because my federal student loan servicer/guarantor has illegally furnished my protected educational records to the consumer reporting agencies without my knowledge, authorization, or consent. These entities have knowingly violated FERPA, the Privacy Act of 1974, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) by reporting information they had no legal right to disclose or collect. 

The accounts that were unlawfully furnished are listed below : XXXX XXXX Acct # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Acct # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX Acct # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX Acct # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX Acct # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX Acct # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX * * * These student loan records are legally classified as educational records under FERPA. This means they can not be disclosed to any credit reporting agency under any circumstance unless I provide explicit written consent. I have never signed or submitted any document, authorization, consent form, or release that permits my lender, servicer, guarantor, or any third party to share my student loan or financial aid information with any consumer reporting agency. 

The servicer also violated the Privacy Act of 1974, which strictly prohibits federal agencies and their servicers from disclosing my personal information unless a valid exception applies. No exception exists here. Credit reporting is not an authorized disclosure under FERPA for Title IV financial aid records. 

Despite this, my protected educational data was willfully furnished to XXXX XXXX  and TransUnion, creating an unlawful publication of my educational record and a direct breach of federal privacy laws. 

Because these accounts were furnished without a permissible purpose, the credit bureaus are now reporting accounts that are illegally obtained, illegally furnished, and illegally maintained. This is a violation of : 20 U.S.C. 1232g ( FERPA ) 5 U.S.C. 552a ( Privacy Act of 1974 ) 15 U.S.C. 1681b & 1681c-2 ( FCRA permissible purpose & blocking ) 15 U.S.C. 1681n & 1681o ( civil liability for willful and negligent violations ) I have demanded that the credit bureaus delete these illegally furnished accounts, but they continue reporting them despite being notified of the FERPA and Privacy Act violations. This indicates potential willful noncompliance and intentional disregard of federal law. 

I am requesting that the CFPB take immediate action to investigate : Why my servicer furnished protected FERPA-regulated educational records to credit bureaus without any legal authority. 

Why a federal servicer or guarantor knowingly violated the Privacy Act of 1974. 

Why these accounts are still being reported despite no permissible purpose for their collection, use, or dissemination. 

The removal of all accounts listed above due to their unlawful disclosure and violation of federal privacy regulations. 

Whether the servicer and bureaus should face sanctions for willful violations of FERPA, the Privacy Act, and the FCRA.

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 non-monetary relief