Consumer complaint received 2025-01-16 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:
Dear " To Whom It May Concern '', I am writing to formally dispute and request the removal of all inaccurate, unverifiable, and negative information appearing on my credit report, including charge-offs, late payments, collections, and other derogatory marks. This request is made under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681, in conjunction with protections granted under FTC guidance and recent actions initiated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) regarding credit bureau misconduct.

1. Violations of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ) Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies are legally required to : Conduct a thorough and timely investigation of any disputed information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ).

Verify the accuracy of any item reported or otherwise delete it if it can not be verified ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ).

Remove information that can not be substantiated by the furnisher or validated during investigations ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ).

Unfortunately, I believe my rights under these provisions have been violated due to : The inability of the credit bureaus to verify negative items accurately.

Potential mishandling of my personal data as part of prior data breaches.

The CFPBs acknowledgment that credit bureaus have failed to properly investigate disputes and have mishandled consumer credit files.

2. Data Breach Impact and Liability The credit bureaus have suffered significant data breaches in recent years, exposing my sensitive information to unauthorized parties. These breaches : Compromise the accuracy and reliability of the data reported under my credit file. 
Exacerbate the risk of identity theft, fraud, and improper reporting. 
Given this, I am invoking my rights under FCRA and consumer protection laws to demand the removal of all derogatory marks that are unverifiable, inaccurate, or outdated. 

XXXX. Recent CFPB Actions and Guidance The CFPB 's recent lawsuits against Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX highlight a systemic failure to : Properly investigate consumer disputes. 
Remove unverifiable items promptly. 
Ensure adherence to FCRA requirements. 
The CFPB 's stance strengthens my position that negative information on my file, if improperly verified or based on compromised data, should be deleted immediately. 

4. Specific Negative Items to Be Removed I am requesting that the following items be deleted from my credit report as they are either inaccurate, unverifiable, or outdated : such as charge-offs, collections, or late payments.

5. Requested Action To resolve this matter, I request the following : Removal of all negative information from my credit report, including but not limited to late payments, charge-offs, and collections. 
Written confirmation that the requested deletions have been made and that my credit report has been updated accordingly. 
An explanation of the investigative process, including evidence substantiating the accuracy of any disputed items that remain. 
If you fail to comply with these requests, I will escalate this matter by filing complaints with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and my states attorney general. I am prepared to pursue all available remedies under the FCRA, including statutory damages for noncompliance. 

6. Supporting Documentation Enclosed : I have not provided my credit reports as you have access to them already. 
Identification documents ( government-issued ID, utility bill, etc. ) to verify my identity have been submitted prior. 

7. Final Note I trust that you will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it warrants. Your failure to comply with federal regulations is not only detrimental to my financial health but also constitutes a direct violation of consumer protection laws.

Please respond to this letter within 30 days of receipt, as required by law. You may contact me via mail to confirm receipt and provide updates. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I look forward to resolving this promptly. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation