Consumer complaint received 2024-12-06 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Other personal consumer report
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Grievance Consumer Protection Violations, Identity Theft, and Breach of Privacy by Consumer Reporting Agencies To Whom It May Concern, This is a formal grievance requesting that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) take immediate enforcement actions to address egregious violations of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and identity theft protections. This grievance also highlights systemic failures by consumer reporting agencies to protect private property and ensure transparency and accountability in their practices. Background of the Issue : I have been a victim of identity theft, which resulted in the unauthorized use of my Social Security account and private information. Due to the failure of consumer reporting agencies to safeguard my data, I was forced to cancel my Social Security account to prevent further abuse and fraud. Despite this, consumer reporting agencies allowed companies with no authorization or accountability to access and use my consumer report. These companies, which failed to validate alleged debts as required by law, were permitted to unlawfully obtain and use my private property for their benefit. The actions of these entities demonstrate a lack of transparency and a profit-driven practice of selling consumer reports to unverified companies, putting consumers at grave risk of financial and personal harm. Violations : Unauthorized Access to Private Property : Consumer reporting agencies sold or provided my consumer report to companies that lacked any lawful basis to access or use it. This is a clear violation of FCRA provisions and my privacy rights. Failure to Protect Sensitive Information : By allowing repeated unauthorized access to my consumer report, the agencies failed to fulfill their duty to safeguard my private property and personal data. Systemic Lack of Accountability and Transparency : The agencies profited by selling my consumer report to unverified entities without ensuring compliance with legal requirements, prioritizing profit over consumer protection. Forced Cancellation of Social Security Account : Due to the misuse of my Social Security account and private information, I was forced to cancel it, further demonstrating the systemic failures of these agencies to protect victims of identity theft. Request for Enforcement Actions : I demand that the CFPB enforce consumer protection laws and take the following actions immediately : 1. Investigate and Sanction Consumer Reporting Agencies : Launch an investigation into the agencies practices of selling consumer reports without proper authorization or verification. Impose strict penalties for these violations. 2. Hold Agencies Accountable for Privacy Breaches : Require these agencies to implement robust protections to prevent the sale of consumer reports to unauthorized entities, with a full audit of their practices. 3. Compel Validation of Alleged Debts : Ensure that all companies accessing consumer reports provide legal validation of any alleged debts, including original signed agreements and affidavits under penalty of perjury. 4. Mandate Transparency and Accountability : Require consumer reporting agencies to disclose all entities to whom my consumer report was sold or shared, along with the basis for such actions. 5. Provide Remediation for Identity Theft Victims : Establish stronger protections for identity theft victims, including enhanced monitoring, expedited removal of disputed debts, and clear accountability measures for reporting agencies. Legal Basis : The unauthorized access and use of my consumer report by entities that failed to validate alleged debts is a direct violation of the FCRA and my constitutional rights to privacy and due process. The FDCPA mandates proper debt validation before any collection activity, and the agencies actions contravened this requirement by enabling unverified companies to act without oversight. The systemic sale of private property ( consumer reports ) to unauthorized companies constitutes a breach of fundamental privacy protections and consumer trust. Conclusion : This grievance underscores the failures of consumer reporting agencies to protect my personal information, ensure lawful access, and operate with transparency. These failures have caused significant harm, including the forced cancellation of my Social Security account and the continued misuse of my consumer report. I demand immediate action from the CFPB to address these violations, enforce compliance, and safeguard the rights of consumers. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and the resolution of these issues. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX, Trustee of Declaration of Trust Dated XX/XX/2024 All Rights Reserved.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation