Consumer complaint received 2025-05-30 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
# NOTICE OF FCRA VIOLATIONS AND DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE REMEDIAL ACTION # # Consumer-Initiated Dispute Administration ( CIDA ) - Metro 2 Compliance XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX FROM : XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX LA XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  DATE : * * XX/XX/year> * * RE : * * FCRA Violations - Consumer Report of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CASE TYPE : * * Static Data Removal - Metro 2 Non-Compliance -- - # # NOTICE TO CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY * * CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED * * Dear Equifax Legal Compliance Department XXXX This correspondence serves as FORMAL NOTICE of multiple violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., discovered during review of your consumer disclosure materials and credit reporting procedures. These violations constitute willful non-compliance with federal consumer protection statutes and Metro 2 reporting standards. 

# # DOCUMENTED FCRA VIOLATIONS # # # VIOLATION XXXX : Procedural Dispute Method Disclosure Failure * * Statutory Basis : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) * * Violation : * * Your FAQ materials fail to clearly establish required dispute procedures, providing only vague language " Complete the Research Request form '' without specifying the multiple dispute methods consumers must be offered ( online, phone, mail ).

# # # VIOLATION 2 : Reinvestigation Timeline Disclosure Omission * * Statutory Basis : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) * * Violation : * * Material omission of mandatory 30-day reinvestigation period disclosure, violating consumer notification requirements.

# # # VIOLATION 3 : Excessive Identity Theft Documentation Requirements * * Statutory Basis : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) * * Violation : * * Requiring " identification information, such as, a copy of your driver 's license or utility bill reflecting your current address along with a copy of your social security card '' exceeds reasonable verification standards and creates prohibited barriers.

# # # VIOLATION 4 : Improper Identity Theft Block Refusal Standards * * Statutory Basis : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) ( 2 ) * * Violation : * * Language stating blocks may be refused " where the block results from an error or a material misrepresentation of fact made by you '' improperly shifts burden of proof to consumers.

# # # VIOLATION 5 : Overly Broad Security Freeze Exceptions * * Statutory Basis : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681c-1 ( j ) ( 1 ) * * Violation : * * Security freeze exception language " does not apply to a person or entity... with which you have an existing account '' is broader than statutorily permitted.

# # # VIOLATION 6 : Insufficient Security Freeze Fee Disclosure * * Statutory Basis : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681c-1 ( f ) * * Violation : * * Failure to provide clear disclosure regarding when security freeze fees can be charged.

# # # VIOLATION 7 : Consumer Statement Procedural Barriers * * Statutory Basis : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( b ) ( 1 ) ( A ) * * Violation : * * Requiring written requests to specific P.O. Box or limited-hour phone calls creates unreasonable barriers to exercising consumer statement rights.

# # # VIOLATION 8 : Incomplete Consumer Rights Summary * * Statutory Basis : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( c ) ( 2 ) * * Violation : * * Documents fail to provide complete summary of consumer rights, particularly regarding dispute rights and identity theft protections.

# # # VIOLATION 9 : Inadequate Data Furnisher Dispute Process Disclosure * * Statutory Basis : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) * * Violation : * * Dispute process fails to adequately explain data furnisher dispute procedures under XXXX XXXX XXXX standards. 

# # XXXX XXXX COMPLIANCE DEMAND Pursuant to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX standards and FCRA requirements, I hereby demand immediate : 1. * * STATIC DATA REMOVAL * * of all non-compliant consumer reporting procedures 2. * * POLICY CORRECTION * * to align with federal statutory requirements 3. * * PROCESS STANDARDIZATION * * per Metro 2 formatting standards 4. * * CONSUMER NOTIFICATION * * correction and enhancement # # LEGAL BASIS FOR REMEDIAL ACTION * * Willful Non-Compliance : * * The documented violations demonstrate a pattern of willful FCRA non-compliance, subjecting Equifax to : - Statutory damages : $ 100- {$1000.00} per violation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n ) - Actual damages for consumer harm - Attorney 's fees and costs ( 15 U.S.C. 1681o ) - Punitive damages for willful violations - Regulatory enforcement action # # DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION * * WITHIN 4-7 DAYS * * of receipt of this notice, Equifax must : 1. * * CEASE * * all non-compliant consumer reporting procedures 2. * * IMPLEMENT * * FCRA-compliant dispute, identity theft, and security freeze procedures 3. * * REVISE * * all consumer disclosure materials to meet statutory requirements 4. * * PROVIDE * * written confirmation of corrective actions taken 5. * * FURNISH * * updated consumer disclosure materials demonstrating compliance Send all information upon written confirmation to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX La, XXXX # # PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS This notice preserves all consumer rights under : - Fair Credit Reporting Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ) - Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ) - Consumer Financial Protection Act ( 12 U.S.C. 5481 et seq. ) - State consumer protection statutes - Common law claims for negligence and breach of statutory duty Failure to address these violations within 30 days will result in escalation to appropriate regulatory authorities and potential legal action for statutory and actual damages. 

* * RESPONSE REQUIRED WITHIN 30 DAYS * * -- - * * Respectfully submitted, * * * * XXXX XXXX * * * * Consumer * * * * Enclosures : * * Documentation of FCRA violations * * CC : * * Consumer Financial Protection Bureau * * Method : * * Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation