Consumer complaint received 2025-02-26 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, CA XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year> Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Subject : Formal Complaint Against Equifax for FCRA Violations Repeated Unauthorized Reporting of Fraudulent Account Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am filing a formal complaint against Equifax for multiple violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) due to its failure to permanently delete a fraudulent XXXX XXXX  credit card account ( Account No. XXXX ) ** from my credit report. Despite providing substantial proofincluding an FTC Identity Theft Affidavit and a police reportEquifax continues to delete and re-report this account, causing me ongoing financial harm.

Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) Equifaxs actions violate multiple provisions of the FCRA, including but not limited to : 1. Failure to Block Fraudulent Information ( 605B, 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) Under this provision, Equifax is required to block and permanently delete fraudulent accounts when a consumer provides appropriate proof of identity theft. My documentation satisfies all legal requirements, yet Equifax has failed to comply by continuing to reinsert this account.

2. Failure to Ensure Maximum Possible Accuracy ( 607 ( b ), 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) Equifax is obligated to ensure maximum possible accuracy of the information it reports. However, it continues to report this fraudulent account as charged off with a balance owed, despite clear evidence that I do not owe this debt.

3. Failure to Provide Investigation Documentation ( 611 ( a ) ( 6 ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ) Equifax is required to provide a detailed summary of its investigation, including : The evidence and documentation used to verify the account.

The entities Equifax communicated with, including the time and date of contact.

Equifax has failed to provide this legally required information, preventing me from understanding how this fraudulent account continues to appear on my report.

4. Reinsertion of Previously Deleted Information Without Proper Notice ( 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ) If a credit bureau reinserts a previously deleted account, it must : Certify the accuracy of the account before reinsertion.

Notify the consumer within five business days.

Equifax has deleted and re-reported this account multiple times without providing any notice, violating this provision.

Ongoing Harm and Equifaxs History of FCRA Violations Equifaxs negligent and willful FCRA violations have caused me severe financial and emotional distress, affecting my creditworthiness, ability to obtain loans, and overall livelihood. Equifax has a well-documented history of FCRA violations, including the class-action lawsuit brought by consumers for failing to investigate and correct inaccurate credit information ( XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, which also involved Equifax ) and multiple regulatory actions for mishandling consumer data. 

Furthermore, Equifax recently settled a lawsuit for over {$3.00} XXXX due to FCRA violations regarding inaccurate credit reporting and failure to conduct reasonable investigations. These violations demonstrate an ongoing pattern of disregard for consumer rights.

Requested Resolution To resolve this matter, I demand that Equifax : 1. Immediately and permanently block and delete the fraudulent XXXX XXXX  account from my credit file, as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( FCRA 605B ).

2. Provide written confirmation within 4 business days that this fraudulent account has been permanently removed.

3. Disclose all documents related to its investigation, including the entities contacted, dates of communication, and the evidence used to verify the account, as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) ).

4. Cease all further FCRA violations to prevent additional harm to my credit profile.

Legal Action Notice If Equifax fails to comply within 4 business days, I will be pursuing legal action for willful noncompliance under 15 U.S.C. 1681n ( FCRA 616 ), which allows for : Statutory damages of up to {$1000.00} per violation Actual damages for financial harm suffered Punitive damages for willful violations Attorneys fees and court costs Please address this matter immediately to avoid further legal consequences. I appreciate the CFPBs intervention in ensuring Equifax complies with federal consumer protection laws. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation