Consumer complaint received 2025-01-07 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX Subject : Formal Request for Compliance with Federal and State Laws : 15 U.S. Code 1681c1, 15 U.S. Code 6802, and Texas Business and Commerce Code Dear Equifax Security Freeze, I am writing to formally reiterate my request to opt-out of information sharing and to place a security freeze on my credit profile. This request is made pursuant to federal and state laws, including 15 U.S. Code 1681c1, 15 U.S. Code 6802, and the Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 20, which are designed to protect consumers from unauthorized access to and disclosure of their personal information.

I have already provided the required supporting documentation, including proof of identification and residence. Below, I am outlining specific compliance expectations to ensure adherence to these legal obligations.

Compliance Expectations 1. 15 U.S. Code 1681c1 Identity Theft Prevention ; Fraud Alerts and XXXX XXXX Alerts This law requires credit reporting agencies to take necessary steps to protect individuals against identity theft. In compliance with this statute, I request : Confirmation that a security freeze has been applied to my credit profile, ensuring no unauthorized access or disclosures occur. 
Confirmation that my opt-out request for information sharing has been processed and will remain in effect permanently. 
2. 15 U.S. Code 6802 Obligations with Respect to Disclosures of Personal Information This statute regulates the disclosure of personal information by financial institutions. Please confirm : No personal information, including credit profile data, has been shared or disclosed without my explicit consent.

Notification will be provided immediately in the event of a data breach or any unauthorized access to my information.

3. Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 20 Security Freezes and Opt-Out Provisions Under Texas law , consumers have the right to : Restrict the release of their credit reports through security freezes, which must be implemented promptly upon request.

Opt-out of having their personal information shared with third parties. Agencies must honor these requests to prevent unauthorized dissemination of data.

Equifax 's History of Compliance Issues Equifax has faced significant scrutiny and legal actions concerning its handling of consumer data, particularly in relation to security freezes and the sharing of personal information : Equifax Data Breach ( 2017 ) In 2017, Equifax experienced a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of approximately XXXX XXXX Americans. 
The breach occurred due to Equifax 's failure to patch a known vulnerability, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, birth dates, and credit information. 
In XXXX, Equifax reached a settlement of up to {$700.00} XXXX with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), and U.S. states and territories. This settlement addressed the companys inadequate data security measures but highlighted persistent vulnerabilities in its systems.

Consumer Complaints and Legal Actions Equifax has been the subject of various consumer complaints concerning the handling of personal information.

While no specific cases have prominently documented violations of security freeze requests or opt-out sharing, these issues underscore the need for vigilance in processing consumer requests accurately and promptly.

Acknowledgment and Compliance Requirements To ensure full compliance with federal and state laws, I request written acknowledgment confirming : That my security freeze and opt-out request have been processed successfully.

That Equifax is in full compliance with 15 U.S. Code 1681c1, 15 U.S. Code 6802, and Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 20. 
Details of any additional measures Equifax has implemented to secure my personal information and prevent unauthorized access. 
Response Deadline Please provide this acknowledgment in writing within 15 days of receipt of this letter. Failure to comply may result in escalation to regulatory authorities, including : The Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) The Texas Attorney Generals Office Notice of Potential Non-Compliance Failure to process my request or to honor my rights under the aforementioned laws constitutes a violation that may lead to enforcement actions, including penalties, fines, and potential legal proceedings.

Closing Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Should you require further information, please contact me directly at the phone number or email address provided above. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation