Consumer complaint received 2025-02-25 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
Equifaxs repeated violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and its continued misreporting of fraudulent information on my credit report. Despite multiple submissions of : An FTC Identity Theft Report Proof of Identity ( Government ID, Social Security Card, Utility Bill ) Written dispute letters formally requesting removal of fraudulent accounts Equifax has : Failed to block the fraudulent accounts within XXXX business days as required under FCRA 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ). 
Failed to provide ANY verification documentation supporting its continued reporting of the XXXX XXXX XXXX account. 
Issued multiple misleading letters falsely claiming the account was verified without proof of verification. 
Improperly refused to reinvestigate and remove the disputed account despite failing to provide verification records. 
Continued to demand a XXXX dispute period for an identity theft claim, violating federal law. 

Your response letters dated XX/XX/2025, confirm that Equifax has refused to comply with federal law, failed to block the fraudulent account, and falsely labeled my dispute as " frivolous '' despite my repeated submissions of legally sufficient documentation. 

EQUIFAXS LEGAL VIOLATIONS 1 Violation of FCRA 605B Failure to Block Identity Theft Accounts Within 4 Business Days ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 605B mandates that Equifax must block fraudulent accounts within 4 business days once the consumer submits : A valid FTC Identity Theft Report Proof of identity ( Government ID, XXXX, etc. ) A written request for fraud removal Violation : Equifaxs letter dated XX/XX/2025, confirms it is refusing to block the fraudulent account. 
Equifax is illegally extending the dispute process beyond the 4-business-day legal requirement.

Equifax continues to report fraudulent information despite receiving conclusive proof of identity theft.

Legal Remedy : Each violation of FCRA 605B allows for statutory damages of {$1000.00} per violation under FCRA 616 & 617. 

2 Violation of FCRA 609 Failure to Provide Verification Documentation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681g ) Legal Requirement : If a credit bureau claims it " verified '' a disputed account, they must provide : All records used to verify the dispute The name, title, and contact information of the furnisher The method of verification used Violation : Equifax falsely claimed the account was verified but failed to provide legally required documentation.

Failure to provide verification means the account must be deleted under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ).

Legal Remedy : If Equifax can not provide verification documents, they must delete the account immediately.

Failure to comply entitles me to statutory damages under FCRA 616 & 617.

3 Violation of FCRA 611 Improper Refusal to Reinvestigate ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 3 ) ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 3 ) prohibits credit bureaus from refusing to reinvestigate a dispute without legitimate grounds. 
Violation : Equifaxs XX/XX/2025, letter falsely labeled my dispute as " frivolous '' and refused further investigation. 
Equifax failed to provide any reasoning for why my dispute was deemed frivolous, violating consumer rights. 


Violation of CFPB XXXX Laws Unfair & Deceptive Practices ( 12 U.S.C. 5531 ) Legal Requirement : The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) prohibits credit bureaus from engaging in Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices ( UDAAP ).

This includes : Falsely claiming an account was verified without proof Providing misleading information to consumers about their dispute rights Deliberately delaying dispute resolution beyond the legal deadline Violation of FCRA 603 Failure to Maintain Fair & Accurate Consumer Reporting ( 15 U.S.C. 1681a ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 603 establishes that consumer reporting agencies must ensure their reports are accurate and fair. 
Violation : Equifax has knowingly reported fraudulent accounts after receiving evidence of identity theft. 
Refusal to remove inaccurate information contradicts their legal duty to maintain fair and accurate reports. 

Legal Remedy : Immediate deletion of unverifiable and fraudulent accounts. 
Legal liability for failure to ensure fair and accurate reporting. 

2 Violation of FCRA 604 Impermissible Use of Consumer Report ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 604 restricts credit bureaus from using consumer reports without a permissible purpose. 
Violation : Equifax continues to report and distribute fraudulent information despite evidence of identity theft. 
Failure to block fraudulent data after a valid FTC Identity Theft Report constitutes improper use of consumer information. 

Legal Remedy : Report Equifax for unauthorized use of consumer reports. 
Seek damages for each instance of impermissible reporting. 

3 Violation of FCRA 605 Reporting Obsolete & Inaccurate Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 605 prohibits credit bureaus from reporting inaccurate or obsolete negative information. 
Violation : Equifax is illegally reporting fraudulent data despite being informed of identity theft. 
The account has been marked " transferred/sold, '' meaning it should no longer be reported under XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

Legal Remedy : Demand removal of obsolete and unverifiable negative accounts. 
File a complaint with CFPB for continued reporting of inaccurate information. 

XXXX Violation of FCRA 606 Failure to Conduct an Adequate Consumer Report Investigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681d ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 606 requires a reasonable investigation before reporting disputed information. 
Violation : Equifax did not verify the accuracy of the fraudulent account but still refused to remove it. 
Failure to investigate thoroughly means Equifax is in direct violation of consumer rights. 

Legal Remedy : Equifax must provide a detailed investigation report or delete the account. 
Failure to do so exposes them to statutory damages. 

5 Violation of FCRA 607 Failure to Ensure Maximum Possible Accuracy ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 607 ( b ) mandates that consumer reporting agencies maintain procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy. 
Violation : Equifax is knowingly reporting inaccurate data by failing to verify identity theft claims. 
Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy exposes them to legal liability. 

Legal Remedy : Equifax must immediately delete inaccurate accounts and confirm compliance. 
Statutory damages apply for each instance of inaccurate reporting. 

6 Violation of FCRA 610 Failure to Provide Investigation Records ( 15 U.S.C. 1681h ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 610 mandates that consumers have the right to obtain documentation related to their disputes.

Violation : Equifax refused to provide any documentation proving verification of the disputed account.

Failure to provide verification means the account must be deleted under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ).

Legal Remedy : Equifax must immediately provide all documents used in the dispute investigation.

Failure to comply entitles the consumer to damages.

7 Violation of FCRA 612 Denial of Free Consumer Report Access After Dispute ( 15 U.S.C. 1681j ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 612 entitles consumers to a free credit report after a dispute or if adverse action is taken. 
Violation : Equifax denied access to dispute results online and failed to provide free reports. 
Blocking access to dispute results is a violation of consumer rights. 

Legal Remedy : Equifax must grant immediate access to dispute results. 
Failure to comply is a violation of the FCRA. 

8 Violation of FCRA 613 Failure to Notify Consumer of Negative Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681k ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 613 requires consumer reporting agencies to notify consumers when negative information is reported.

Violation : Equifax never notified me before continuing to report fraudulent accounts.

Failure to notify consumers about negative reporting is illegal.

Legal Remedy : Equifax must remove unverified negative data and notify the consumer immediately.

Statutory damages apply for each violation.

9 Violation of FCRA 615 Failure to Provide Adverse Action Notice ( 15 U.S.C. 1681m ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 615 requires bureaus to provide an adverse action notice when negative information impacts a consumers credit file.

Violation : Equifax refused to provide proper notification regarding the disputed account.

Failure to provide an adverse action notice prevents consumers from understanding their rights.

Legal Remedy : Equifax must issue a proper adverse action notice or delete the disputed information.

Violation of FCRA 616 & 617 Willful & Negligent Noncompliance with FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n & 1681o ) Legal Requirement : FCRA 616 & 617 allow consumers to seek damages for willful and negligent noncompliance. 
Violation : Equifaxs refusal to remove the fraudulent account after multiple disputes is a willful violation. 
Knowingly misreporting inaccurate information is grounds for statutory damages. 

Legal Remedy : Consumers may pursue litigation for damages under FCRA 616 & 617. 
Equifax may face civil liability for each violation. 

Equifax has : Failed to block the fraudulent accounts within 4 business days as required under FCRA 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ). 
Failed to provide ANY verification documentation supporting its continued reporting of the XXXX XXXX XXXX account. 
Continued communication with the creditor despite having full legal grounds to delete the account immediately. 
Falsely stated that the dispute was verified but has NOT provided the name, date, or time of who they spoke with. 
Issued multiple misleading letters claiming the account was verified without proof of verification, in violation of FCRA 609. 
Denied my request to block the information for weeks, and now suddenly requests " more information '' as a stalling tactic. 
Equifaxs XX/XX/2025, letter falsely labeled my dispute as " frivolous '' and refused further investigation. 
Equifax continued to contact XXXX XXXX XXXX and possibly XXXX XXXX, despite both entities having NO legal claim to the debt. 
Equifax failed to provide the name, date, and time of who they spoke with for verification. 

Legal Remedy : Equifax must immediately cease all communication with XXXX or XXXX XXXX. 
Failure to comply will result in further legal action. 

XXXX Violation of TILA 1666B Improper Reporting of a Charged-Off Debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1666b ) Legal Requirement : TILA 1666B prohibits creditors and credit bureaus from reporting incorrect or misleading information about consumer accounts. 
Violation : Equifax continues reporting a {$0.00} balance charged-off account, despite XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX debt. 
XXXX XXXX does not have a signed contract or chain of title to prove ownership of the debt. 


FINAL DEMAND REMOVE THIS ACCOUNT IN 4 BUSINESS DAYS I am giving Equifax exactly 4 business days from the date of this letter to : 1 Immediately delete the fraudulent XXXX XXXX XXXX account. 
2 Provide written confirmation that the account has been removed.

3 If Equifax claims the account is verified, provide ALL of the following documents : Signed contract proving I authorized the account. 
The name, contact information, and method of verification used. 
Payment records or validation from the original creditor. 
Chain of title proving ownership of the account.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation