Consumer complaint received 2025-08-30 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: NY

Complaint narrative:
CFPB Complaint Equifax : FCRA Violations & Failure to Provide Method of Verification ( MOV ) Summary : On XX/XX/scrub> 2025, I submitted a certified Method of Verification ( MOV ) request to Equifax in accordance with FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 7 ). This request included the following documentation, all of which complied with Equifaxs published identity verification guidelines ( attached ) : A signed MOV request letter A valid government-issued Drivers License ( bearing my XXXX. XXXX address for ID verification ) A 1099 form showing my full name, residential address, and last four digits of my SSN ( for address verification ) A copy of the XX/XX/year>2025 dispute confirmation Despite receiving a complete submission, Equifax failed to fulfill the legal obligation to respond to the MOV. Instead, Equifax took escalating and harmful actions, including : Launching 9 unauthorized disputes using the same documents ( ID and 1099 ) they now claim are invalid Rejecting the ID and 1099 for verification purposes, despite their own website stating these are accepted forms of proof Removing my residential address from my credit file without my knowledge or consent labeling it former and only listing a XXXX XXXXXXXX as my current address Sending a letter with contradictory document requirements that are not aligned with their public guidance Equifaxs Website Verification Guidance ( Attached ) According to Equifaxs official website, the following documents are acceptable : One item to validate ID, such as : Valid drivers license ( submitted ) Social Security card Pay stub 1099 form ( submitted ) State ID, Passport, W2, etc.

One item to validate address, such as : Valid drivers license ( submitted ) Utility bill 1099 form ( submitted ) Rental agreement, bank statement, W2, etc.

Equifaxs refusal to accept these same documents- while simultaneously using them to open not one or two unauthorized disputes- but none ( 9 ) - is inherently deceptive and violates federal law. 



Timeline of Events XX/XX/year>2025 MOV request submitted via certified mail with all required documents XX/XX/year>2025 Original dispute launched and resolved the same day ( attached ) XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/year>2025 9 unauthorized disputes launched using my documents, without consent XX/XX/scrub> 2025 onward CFPB complaints filed clearly requesting MOV only, not disputes. I will provide all CFPB complaint numbers for reference. 

XX/XX/year> : As of today, over five weeks have passed and Equifax has failed to respond to my CFPB complaint. To be clear, the XX/XX/year>2025 complaint via CFPB included the last 4 of my social and the confirmation number to the authorized XX/XX/year>2025 dispute. The complaints thereafter I included my XXXX Drivers License and 1099 for review by CFPB and Equifax. All has been disregarded yet is listed on their website as acceptable documentation.

Equifax Response Rejected my documents, claiming they did not match the listed XXXX XXXXXXXX ( My Drivers License, which is attached to the previous complaint submitted does indeed have my XXXX XXXX XXXX my 1099 has my residential, full name and last 4 ), despite having used those same documents to open multiple disputes Residential Address Removed My valid residential address was removed and labeled former ; only a XXXX XXXXXXXX remains. I did not consent to this nor did they inform me of any changes made regarding addresses. A residential address is indeed needed on a credit file. I currently do not have one because of Equifax.

Legal Violations 1. FCRA 607 ( b ) Failure to Ensure Accuracy and Completeness CRAs must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy.

By removing my residential address- which was verified by a 1099 and drivers license - Equifax created a file that is materially misleading and incomplete.

Consequences : Creditors may assume Im transient or homeless Applications may be denied due to address mismatch Automated systems may trigger fraud alerts or identity issues 2. FCRA 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) Failure to Disclose Complete File Consumers have a right to all information in the consumers file at the time of the request.

My current residential address is now excluded from my file, depriving me of a full and accurate copy.

3. FCRA 610 ( a ) Unreasonable Rejection of Valid Documents CRAs must use reasonable procedures to ensure accuracy.

Equifax rejected : A valid government-issued ID A 1099 form explicitly listed on their own site Meanwhile, they used those same documents to alter my file through unauthorized disputes which is both illogical and unlawful. In addition to the authorized disputes they have made changes to my address.

4. FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 7 ) Failure to Provide Method of Verification Upon written request, the CRA must provide the method used to verify the disputed item. 

I requested this on XX/XX/year>2025. The original dispute was resolved the same day it was submitted ( XX/XX/year>2025 ), so the details of verification should be readily available. 
Instead, no MOV was provided - only further unauthorized activity and delay.

5. FTC Act 5 Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Equifaxs behavior constitutes deception and retaliation by : Denying the use of documents they previously accepted Altering critical identity data without consent Sending contradictory and targeted correspondence Obstructing my ability to access credit, housing, and services Address Removal = FCRA 607 ( b ) Violation By removing my residential address, Equifax created an inaccurate and incomplete file - and failed to maintain maximum possible accuracy. This decision : Conflicts with their own verification policy Harms my ability to access housing, credit, and essential services Creates misleading signals to creditors and fraud-detection tools Why This Matters Equifaxs conduct has caused : XXXX XXXX  Loss of trust in a system thats supposed to protect consumers Barriers to housing, services, and employment due to address-based rejections Fear of being flagged as unstable or unverified due to lack of residential history These actions do not reflect an isolated error - they reveal a pattern of targeted retaliation and systemic disregard for consumer rights.

The language and structure of Equifaxs most recent letter deviates from their general policy guidance and feels uniquely crafted to discredit my request - reflecting a targeted, retaliatory response rather than a neutral handling of consumer data.

Legal Notice : Preservation of Records This is a formal and legal request under applicable federal law to preserve all records, internal communications, XXXX, dispute processing logs, and automated dispute triggers related to my Equifax file, including but not limited to : My XX/XX/year>2025 dispute The XX/XX/scrub> 2025 MOV request and supporting documentation ( ID, 1099, confirmation letter ) All internal decision-making, verification processes, and personnel actions involved in the removal of my residential address Any internal or automated system records related to the 9 unauthorized disputes launched between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/year>2025 This preservation demand extends to emails, customer service logs, backend access records, automated scripts or triggers, training documents, and third-party communications used to verify or alter data on my credit file. 

Spoliation of evidence - the alteration or destruction of these records- may constitute a violation of federal law and could result in further civil liability and sanctions under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and applicable case law.

You are hereby on notice that failure to preserve such evidence may result in additional legal action, including but not limited to a referral to the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ), and/or private right of action under FCRA 616 and 617.

Previous CFPB complaint numbers, which includes relevant attachments : XXXX ; XXXX ; XXXX ; XXXX ; XXXX ; XXXX ; XXXX ; XXXX ; XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation