Consumer complaint received 2025-01-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MN

Complaint narrative:
To whom it may concern, I am writing to file an urgent complaint regarding multiple fraudulent accounts, inquiries, and reporting discrepancies on my Equifax credit report. These discrepancies stem from identity theft and include substantial inaccuracies in account balances, open dates, payment statuses, and account types. Despite previous attempts to resolve these issues, including filing complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), Equifax has both removed and reinserted these accounts, compounding the violation of my rights. This is my third attempt to resolve these issues, and I have allowed more than the required 30 days for corrective action. I have received no validation or resolution from Equifax.

These actions constitute violations of several provisions under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and related federal laws. Specifically : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ( FCRA ) Maximum Possible Accuracy The failure of Equifax to ensure accurate and complete reporting of information violates this provision, which mandates that consumer reports be as accurate as possible. Discrepancies in account open dates across bureaus for the same accounts ( listed below ) are clear violations. 

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( FDCPA ) Validation of Debts Creditors and collectors have failed to validate these debts within the required timeframe. This provision requires that, upon request, debt collectors must provide the consumer with validation of the debt, which I have not received.

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( FCRA ) Duty of Furnishers of Information Under this section, furnishers of information ( such as creditors ) are required to investigate disputed information and correct inaccuracies. However, despite my disputes, Equifax has continued reporting unverifiable and disputed information, including re-reporting already removed accounts.

15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( FCRA ) Blocking Fraudulent Information This provision entitles consumers to have fraudulent accounts blocked within four days of submitting appropriate identity theft documentation. Despite providing the required proof of identity theft, fraudulent accounts have not been permanently blocked, in violation of this law.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( FCRA ) Reinvestigations of Disputes In addition, Equifax has not conducted timely or accurate reinvestigations of the disputes I have filed, which is required under this section of the FCRA. Continued failure to remove disputed accounts further violates my rights. 

15 U.S.C. 1681c-1 ( FCRA ) Time Limits for Reporting Negative Information Inaccurately reported charge-offs and accounts that should have been removed or blocked after identity theft have remained in my credit file beyond the allowed time frame for reporting, which also violates this section of the FCRA.

Additional Violations Across Equifax : Failure to Notify ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ) : Creditors must provide written notification of debts within five days, as required under 15 U.S.C. 1692g. This was not provided, making these accounts illegitimate.

Failure to Ensure Accuracy ( FCRA 607 ( b ) ) : Equifax must ensure maximum accuracy in its reporting. Discrepancies in balances, high credit limits, open dates, and payment histories across XXXX records indicate noncompliance. 

Failure to Investigate ( FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ) : Equifax must investigate disputes within 30 days. My disputes remain unresolved despite exceeding the legally mandated timeline.

Failure to Reinvestigate ( FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) ) : FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) requires Equifax to reinvestigate if a consumer disputes the resolution of a claim. My disputes were not adequately addressed. Failure to Protect Personal Information (
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act 15 U.S.C. 6801-6809 ) : The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires financial institutions and credit bureaus to safeguard consumer data. This appears to have been compromised by the fraudulent accounts.

Identity Theft Protections Ignored ( Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence A

ct 18 U.S.C. 1028 ) : The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act criminalizes identity theft. These fraudulent accounts violate federal protections against identity theft.

Failure to Provide Resources for Identity Theft Victims ( FTC Guidelines 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) ) : Equifax must provide victims of identity theft with resources and support, including fraud alerts. These steps were not implemented. 

Below are the details of the fraudulent and inaccurately reported accounts : XXXX. XXXX Card Account Number : XXXX Account Type : XXXX  Date Opened ( Discrepancy ) : Equifax XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$9100.00} Payment Status : Collection/Chargeoff Comments : Charged off as bad debt ; Canceled by credit grantor.

Violations : Failure to ensure accurate open dates across bureaus violates 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ).

Failure to validate debt violates 15 U.S.C. 1692g.

Continued reporting despite disputes violates 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ). 
XXXX. XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Account Type : Revolving Date Opened ( Discrepancy ) : Equifax XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$21000.00} Payment Status : Collection/Chargeoff Comments : Charged off as bad debt ; Accounts closed by credit grantor.

Violations : Discrepancy in open dates violates 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ).

Failure to validate debt violates 15 U.S.C. 1692g.

Reporting unverifiable information violates 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ). 
XXXX. XXXX Account Number : XXXX Account Type : Open Account Date Opened ( Discrepancy ) : Equifax XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$24000.00} Payment Status : Collection/Chargeoff Comments : Charged off as bad debt ; Dispute resolved, customer disagrees. 
Violations : Discrepancy in open dates violates 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ).

Continued reporting despite dispute resolution violates 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ).

Failure to block fraudulent information within four days after submission of proof violates 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2.

Summary of Violations : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy in consumer reports.

15 U.S.C. 1692g : Failure to validate debts and notify the consumer within five days of a debt being reported.

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) : Reporting unverifiable or disputed information.

15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 : Failure to block fraudulent accounts upon receiving proof of identity theft.

15 U.S.C. 1681i : Failure to properly reinvestigate disputes.

15 U.S.C. 1681c-1 : Reporting of inaccurate negative information beyond the allowed time limits.

FCRA 607 ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum accuracy in reporting.

FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) : Failure to investigate disputes within 30 days.

FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) : Failure to reinvestigate unresolved claims.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act 15 U.S.C. 6801-6809 : Failure to safeguard consumer data.

18 U.S.C. 1028 ( Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act ) : Violation of identity theft protections.

FTC Guidelines 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) : Failure to provide identity theft resources.

i attached pictures of the violations of the bureaus marked and the letters i sent them

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation