Consumer complaint received 2024-11-01 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: IL

Complaint narrative:
Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Sections 611, 609, and 604, by Equifax for failing to remove incorrect names and addresses from my credit report.

This complaint is filed against Equifax due to their ongoing retention and reporting of inaccurate information, specifically names and addresses unrelated to me and which are not current. This retention of incorrect data violates several provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Despite submitting notarized proof of identity that verifies my identity and current information, Equifax continues to maintain inaccurate information on my credit file, infringing upon my rights to privacy and accuracy as stipulated by the FCRA.

1. Inaccurate Personal Information and Violation of FCRA Section 611 : Equifax is failing to comply with Section 611 of the FCRA, which mandates credit agencies to correct or delete incorrect or unverifiable information upon a consumers request. The retention of incorrect names and addresses, especially if tied to credit accounts, is unlawful and exposes me to undue risks, including the potential for wrongful association with debts or accounts that are not mine, thus creating a serious risk of identity fraud.

2. Violation of Verification Rights under FCRA Section 609 : Under Section 609 of the FCRA, I have the right to obtain details on the source and verification of any information retained in my credit file. Despite submitting notarized proof of identity, Equifax has failed to provide any documented proof to justify the retention of this inaccurate information. Retaining multiple incorrect names and addresses without valid justification infringes upon my right to an accurate file, creates confusion, and potentially opens the door to fraud by allowing erroneous data to be associated with my identity.

3. Unauthorized Retention and Violation of Privacy Rights under FCRA Section 604 : Retaining unauthorized names and addresses constitutes a direct violation of my privacy rights under Section 604 of the FCRA, which restricts the use and access of credit information exclusively for authorized purposes. The presence of these erroneous data points, without clear verification, represents misuse of my information, risks my privacy, and allows for possible misinterpretations of my credit history, which may facilitate fraudulent activities that could misuse these inaccuracies.

Specific FCRA Violation and Fraud Risk : Retaining multiple names and addresses that are not current and are linked to credit accounts violates the FCRA, which requires that information be accurate and verified. The presence of unverified and unauthorized data not only contravenes my consumer rights but also poses a significant fraud risk by allowing erroneous information to be misused against my identity. 
I request that the CFPB take necessary steps to ensure Equifaxs compliance with the FCRA, requiring the immediate removal of all incorrect and unverified information in my credit file. Additionally, should there be evidence of negligence or intent in the retention of these inaccurate data, I request that Equifax face penalties to protect my rights and prevent future breaches that could lead to potential fraud.I really appreciate the FTC 's intervention in resolving this situation that is affecting me. thanks XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief