Consumer complaint received 2025-02-25 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I discovered my identity was stolen after receiving a debt collection notice from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX a credit card loan I never opened. Upon further investigation I found several unauthorized accounts have been opened in my name which are listed below. They confirmed the accounts were fraudulently opened using my personal information ( Social Security number, date of birth, and addresses ). These unauthorized accounts are damaging my credit report. Unable to file a local police report, I'm filing a report with the FTC today, XX/XX/XXXX, via their website. I've also contacted the major credit bureaus ( XXXX, Equifax XXXX XXXX ) to dispute and remove the following fraudulent accounts from my credit file. Also, please remove this inaccurate address from my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CA XXXX & XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX This XXXX serves as a formal demand for immediate action to address your blatant violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., in handling my dispute regarding fraudulent information resulting from identity theft. Your failure to act is both unlawful and intolerable. 

Violations of XXXX XXXX 1.Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Investigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ) Despite receiving my comprehensive dispute, including the FTC Identity Theft Report and supporting documentation, your agency has flagrantly failed to conduct a reasonable investigation into the fraudulent accounts. Ignoring evidence is not an investigation. 
2.Failure to Provide Investigation Results ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ) Under the FCRA, you are required to notify me of the results of your investigation within 30 days. To date, I have received no such communication. This complete disregard for transparency further underscores your negligence and lack of compliance with federal law.

3.Failure to Block Fraudulent Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) You are legally obligated to block fraudulent information upon receipt of an identity theft report. By failing to do so, you continue to willfully allow the publication of inaccurate, damaging information in violation of my rights.

Legal Precedents Highlighting Your Liability Your actionsor lack thereofare not without consequence. Courts have repeatedly held credit reporting agencies accountable for similar misconduct : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : Reinforced your obligation to conduct meaningful investigations beyond relying on furnishers data. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX ( XXXX ) : Confirmed that credit bureaus may not shirk their duties by delegating investigations to furnishers. 
XXXX v. XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : Demonstrated the severe consequences of failing to comply with FCRA obligations, including class-action liability and significant damages. 

Demand for Immediate Action I demand the following actions, without delay : 1.Conduct a thorough and reasonable investigation into the disputed accounts and fraudulent transactions. 
2.Provide a comprehensive written explanation detailing your investigation process and results.

3.Permanently remove or block all inaccurate information associated with my identity theft.

Failure to address this matter within the FCRAs legally mandated timeline will leave me no choice but to escalate this issue. I will : File formal complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). 
Seek damages through legal action, including but not limited to statutory damages, punitive damages, and recovery of attorneys fees, as permitted under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o.

This letter is your final notice to rectify your violations. Your failure to comply will be viewed as willful non-compliance with federal law, and I will ensure that the consequences of your negligence are pursued to the fullest extent. 

Please remove, block or provide me with your investigation results in written form through the USPS for these accounts : XXXX  XXXX XXXX & XXXX XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief