Consumer complaint received 2024-08-07 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
I have noticed a hard inquiry on my consumer report with the following information : XXXX Important dates Inquiry date XX/XX/XXXX. this is an unauthorized inquiry I would like removed. I did dont provide permissible purpose for this inquiry under 15 usc 1681. This company does not have my express written consent to access my consumer report. I have called this company several times and they insist that I do not have an open account or any active applications. Credit inquiry must be pursuant to the last present FCRA. this unconfirmed inquiry lacking certifiable evidence unless physically certified verified proof is demonstrated per U.S CODE 15 U.S.C. 1681 ET SEQ. Section 604 of Fair Credit Reporting Act I have noticed a hard inquiry on my consumer report with the following information : XXXX XXXX  ( Finance ) XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX. this is an unauthorized inquiry I would like removed. I did dont provide permissible purpose for this inquiry under 15 usc 1681. This company does not have my express written consent to access my consumer report. I have called this company several times and they insist that I do not have an open account or any active applications. Credit inquiry must be pursuant to the last present FCRA. this unconfirmed inquiry lacking certifiable evidence unless physically certified verified proof is demonstrated per U.S CODE 15 U.S.C. 1681 ET SEQ. Section 604 of Fair Credit Reporting Act I have noticed a hard inquiry on my consumer report with the following information :. XXXX ( Bank ) XX/XX/XXXX this is an unauthorized inquiry I would like removed. I did dont provide permissible purpose for this inquiry under 15 usc 1681. This company does not have my express written consent to access my consumer report. I have called this company several times and they insist that I do not have an open account or any active applications. Credit inquiry must be pursuant to the last present FCRA. this unconfirmed inquiry lacking certifiable evidence unless physically certified verified proof is demonstrated per U.S CODE 15 U.S.C. 1681 ET SEQ. Section 604 of Fair Credit Reporting Act Account number XXXX XXXX A Account number XXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX Balance {$430.00} Opened XX/XX/XXXX ( XXXX yrs, XXXX mos ) Account status Open XXXX  XXXX associates contacted me about a debt they purchased. I disputed the debt and was instructed by XXXX XXXX to provide documentation to them proving why I wasnt responsible for the debts. I mailed several documents requesting validation of these alleged debts. ( XXXX certified mail and a portfolio recovery associate signed for it saying it was received ) After reviewing all these documents, they failed to provide the requested information. XXXX still insisted I had an obligation to pay, and started harassing and threatening me about wage garnishments they have also caused me public embarrassment by reporting this misinformation on to my consumer reports XXXX  XXXX XXXX reported A collection account of {$670.00} to my Equifax XXXX and XXXX XXXX reports with out my expressed written consent, no proof of an contractional agreement between me and the company nor did XXXX XXXX XXXX properly validate this alleged debt. The negative reporting of this alleged debt, and The abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by XXXX XXXX XXXX has caused me loss of jobs/ job opportunities, forced invasions of my individual privacy financial hardships and public embarrassment. After requesting proof and validation of this alleged debt I did not receive the requested information. Per the FCRA as a federally protected consumer I now opt out of all authorization i the consumer XXXX have given written unwritten verbal and non verbal as it relates to this specified information. This account is also being reported as an Original lender / Original Creditor Which is false misleading and illegal as I have ever done any business with portfolio recovery associates On XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX reported an collection account of {$430.00} to my Equifax XXXX and XXXX XXXX reports with out my expressed written consent, no proof of an contractional agreement between me and the company nor did XXXX XXXX XXXX properly validate this alleged debt. The negative reporting of this alleged debt, and The abusive, deceptive, and unfair debt collection practices by XXXX XXXX XXXX has caused me loss of jobs/ job opportunities, forced invasions of my individual privacy financial hardships and public embarrassment. After requesting proof and validation of this alleged debt I did not receive the requested information. Per the FCRA as a federally protected consumer I now opt out of all authorization i the consumer XXXX have given written unwritten verbal and non verbal as it relates to this specified information. This account is also being reported as an Original lender / Original Creditor Which is false misleading and illegal as I have ever done any business with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX did not follow lawful guidelines according to 15 USC 1681a ( e ). XXXX XXXX XXXX never sent me any of my consumer disclosure rights that I have as a consumer or neither have they obtained any proper permissible purpose from me the consumer. I have the right to dispute a lawful validation of debt pursuant to 12 CFR 1006.34 Notice for validation of debts under the FDCPA. Persian to 15 U.S. Code 1681s2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) They Are PROHIBITED BY LAW to furnish any public information without informing me about my consumer rights which Portfolio recovery Associates did continue to furnish my public information without having permissible purposes, pursuant to 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( c ) ( 3 ) Permissible purposes of consumer reports. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is in violation of the following Laws ; 15 U.S. Code 1681a ( e ) - Definitions ; rules of construction 15 U.S. Code 1692c ( c ) - Communication in connection with debt collection 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( c ) ( 3 ) Permissible purposes of consumer reports. 15 U.S. Code 1681 q - Obtaining information under false pretenses. 18 U.S. Code 1028A - Aggravated identity theft. Until this alleged debt is validated by proof of contractual agreement it is illegal for XXXX XXXX To continue to Page 4 - 5 furnish this alleged debt on to my consumer reports. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, defined as a non-affiliate third party by 15 USC 6809 ( 5 ), has committed identity theft under RCW 9.35.020. The original creditor, XXXX  XXXX a financial institution per GLBA 15 USC 6809 ( XXXX ) ( A ), lacked my consent to share personally identifiable financial information with XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, violating 25 USC 6802 ( b ). This includes fraudulent acquisition of my non-public personal information, defined by 15 USC 6809 ( 4 ), for debt collection, constituting an unfair practice under RCW 19.86.020. Furthermore, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX illicitly disclosed my financial information to consumer reporting agencies, ( XXXX XXXX and Equifax etc ) violating my privacy rights and potentially constituting crimes under 18 USC 894 l, 18 USC 242. And The Privacy Act of 1974 Additionally, I as a federally, protected consumer am now resending all authorization, may have given ( knowing and unknowing verbal, nonverbal, written, non-written ) to XXXX XXXX XXXX or any of its affiliates effective immediately and indefinitely Per 15 USC 6802 Photos of a transaction history between a consumer and a third party company is not PROOF nor a contractual obligation to pay portfolio recovery associates. This is a method to deceive me the consumer into believing this allege debt is actually owed per 15 U.S. Code 1692j - Furnishing certain deceptive forms ( a ) It is unlawful to design, compile, and furnish any form knowing that such form would be used to create the false belief in a consumer that a person other than the creditor of such consumer is participating in the collection of or in an attempt to collect a debt such consumer allegedly owes such creditor, when in fact such person is not so participating. ( b ) Any person who violates this section shall be liable to the same extent and in the same manner as a debt collector is liable under section 1692k of this title for failure to comply with a provision of this subchapter. Per ( 15 usc 1692g validation of debts ) this alleged debt is not valid and must be VALIDATED by the standards of consumer law. Not merely Verified by the methods of the company who is attempting to collect on An alleged debt. XXXX XXXX XXXX has been using deceptive terms like original creditor and current creditor which is not recognized in the eyes of debt collection consumer law. Lawfully they must be either the Creditor or the consumer in this situation they are neither. If XXXX XXXX XXXX believes, this debt is owed to them. I have asked them several times to produce any documents, proving that they extended anything i.e goods, services, loans, experiences or credit that contractually bounds me to paying them for this debt. They have not provided this documentation, this documentation therefore does not exist. XXXX XXXX XXXX is the name XXXX  XXXX XXXX stated these accounts belongs to but they have failed to lawfully validate me to be that person. As that name is not present on my consumer report, nor did I give it to them in way, written or non-written, verbal or non-verbal. Nor have they provided any documents connecting me to or proving any obligation portfolio recovery associates. The information XXXX XXXX XXXX obtained in regards to name, contact information and transaction history was not done so in a lawful manor. Per 18 U.S. Code 1028A aggravated identity, theft. This company obtained this information with the intent to collect on an alleged debt that was never originally owed to them. A contract signed by me and this company proving my obligation to pay or interest to do or conduct any business with them has been requested. But they have failed to provide this documentation now, 60 days after my initial request. They have not provided it because no such documentation exists. This company must be held responsible for illegally obtaining my information to collect on his debt without any consent from me whatsoever. Titling their company, XXXX XXXX XXXX has been used in this case to portray themselves as an attorney, or as an authority figure in the matter but legally they are not. which I believe, was designed to intimidate me the consumer into believing I owe this company anything. 15 U.S. Code 1692e - False or misleading representations ( 3 ) The false representation or implication that any individual is an attorney or that any communication is from an attorney Portfolio recovery associates have positioned themselves as an authority figure in the matter but legally they are not. Per 15 U.S. Code 1692e - False or misleading representations ( 10 ) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer. As no contract was signed between me and portfolio recovery associates. As I have been made aware of their illegal practices I will not and I have never engaged in business with this company These attempts to strong arm coerce harass and force me to pay this alleged debt is illegal. Per 15 U.S. Code 1692e - False or misleading representations ( 5 ) The threat to take any action that can not legally be taken or that is not intended to be taken. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, decision to furnish and report this negative misinformation on my credit report. without my legal consent has caused me public embarrassment, and financial hardships.. Per 15 U.S. Code 1692c - Communication in connection with debt collection. ( b ) Communication with third parties Except as provided in section 1692b of this title, without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a postjudgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate, in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector. I As a federally protected, consumer have lawfully withdrawn any consent I may have given this company ( knowing an unknowingly, written, or unwritten, verbal, or nonverbal, or in any other form ) to contact me or to furnish data or information on my behalf per 15 USC 6801 & 15 USC 6805 effective immediately and indefinitely XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, VA XXXX Re : Acct # [ XXXX ] I was made aware of your attempt to collect an alleged debt less than 30 days ago. Please be advised that I hereby dispute the validity of the above-listed alleged debt in its entirety. I request verification/validation of the alleged debt and specifically request a copy of a contract or agreement signed by the alleged original creditor and all parties to any such contract provided. Note : a billing statement, notice, or any unsigned document is not verification of the alleged debt. You are on notice that you are unlawfully attempting to collect the above-listed alleged debt. Cease & desist all collection activity, including reporting to consumer reporting agencies ( CRAs ). Providing me the specific verification documents above shall not be deemed collection activity. Further, I request that you promptly delete any and all prior consumer reporting made to any CRAs. If you comply with my cease collection & deletion request, then you are excused from verification. If you opt to provide verification, also provide proof of the chain of title of ownership of the debt. If the alleged debt was acquired by a 1682g debt buyer, then proof of chain of title of the alleged debt must be from the alleged original creditor to the current alleged owner without any break in chain. This letter is evidence that may be provided to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ). The CFPB is authorized to fully inve stig late this att er nd receive inform related ereto. Be advised, if you fail to comply with this letter, I may turn the matter over to a consumer attorney. Lastly, per 15 usc 6802 I lawfully opt out of XXXX XXXX XXXX reporting or furnishing any data on my behalf at any time or at any place including but not limited to my XXXX XXXX and Equifax XXXX reports

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief