Consumer complaint received 2025-03-04 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: OK

Complaint narrative:
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( 15 USC 1681, Section 602 ( a ) ), consumer reporting agencies must conduct their responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and respect for consumer privacy. Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian are consumer reporting agencies, and as a consumer, I have the right to ensure my private information is not unlawfully shared.

This right is further reinforced by 15 USC 6801, which mandates that financial institutions have a continuous duty to protect the security and confidentiality of customers nonpublic personal information. Creditors, as financial institutions, are bound by this obligation.

According to 15 USC 1681, Section 604 ( a ) ( 2 ), a consumer reporting agency may only furnish a consumer report with the written instructions of the consumer. Creditors, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian do not have my written consent to furnish or report my information. Therefore, I am revoking any and all forms of consent, whether verbal, non-verbal, written, implied, or otherwise. 
Additionally, under 15 USC 6802 ( b ) ( c ), a financial institution may not disclose nonpublic personal information to a nonaffiliated third party unless the consumer is informed of their right to opt out. These entities failed to provide me with this required disclosure, violating my rights under this statute.

Furthermore, 15 USC 1681c ( a ) ( 5 ) explicitly prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including adverse information in a consumer report that is more than seven years old, except for criminal convictions. These accounts are adverse items being reported without my consent, which constitutes a violation of federal law.

Under 15 USC 1681s2 ( A ) ( 1 ) ( A ), furnishers of information must not provide inaccurate information to consumer reporting agencies if they know or have reasonable cause to believe it is incorrect. Additionally, 15 USC 1681e requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain reasonable procedures to prevent violations of Section 1681c and to ensure that reports are only furnished for legally permitted purposes. Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian are failing to uphold these legal requirements.

Moreover, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA, 20 USC 1232g ), students ' educational records and personally identifiable information ( PII ) are protected from unauthorized disclosure. FERPA prohibits the release of educational records without the students explicit written consent, except under specific lawful conditions. If any of the information reported or disclosed by Equifax, TransUnion, Experian, or Creditors pertains to my education records, student loans, or related financial data, they are in violation of FERPA regulations. Institutions and agencies must obtain explicit written authorization from the student before sharing or reporting such information. Since no such authorization has been provided, any reporting or disclosure is unlawful and must cease immediately.

Lastly, under 12 CFR 1016.7, consumers have the right to opt out of information sharing at any time. I am exercising my right to opt out of their reporting services effective immediately.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation