Consumer complaint received 2025-07-24 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: OH

Complaint narrative:
# Comprehensive Identity Theft Dispute Letter - Multiple Data Breaches XXXX XXXX Date : XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX To : XXXX XXXX Experian, Equifax and TransUnion XXXX XXXX CC : XXXX XXXX  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, DC XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CC : XXXX XXXX Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) * * XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX  XXXX DC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  RE : FORMAL DISPUTE - IDENTITY THEFT ACCOUNTS- DEMAND FOR PERMANENT DELETION UNDER FCRA & FDCPA XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX NOTICE OF IDENTITY THEFT AND DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION XXXX XXXX To Whom It May Concern : XXXX XXXX I am writing to formally dispute fraudulent accounts appearing on my credit report as a direct result of identity theft stemming from multiple confirmed major data breaches. This letter serves as my official notice under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq., constituting a comprehensive legal demand for immediate investigation and permanent deletion of all fraudulent information from my credit files. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CONFIRMED IDENTITY THEFT VICTIM - MULTIPLE DATA BREACHES I am a XXXX XXXX CONFIRMED VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT XXXX XXXX resulting directly from XXXX XXXX TWO SEPARATE MAJOR DATA BREACHES XXXX XXXX that have systematically compromised my most sensitive personal identifying information : XXXX XXXX XXXX  BREACH XXXX  XXXX : EQUIFAX DATA BREACH SETTLEMENT - XXXX XXXX Official Website Confirmation : XXXX XXXX eligibility.equifaxbreachsettlement.com - XXXX XXXX Breach Impact Status : XXXX XXXX Based on the information you provided, our records indicate your personal information was impacted by this incident - XXXX XXXX Settlement Engagement Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Available Services : XXXX XXXX Assisted Identity Restoration Services via Experian ( XXXX ) - XXXX XXXX Compromised Information : XXXX XXXX Social Security Number, full name, current and previous addresses, date of birth, and other sensitive personal identifying information - XXXX XXXX Legal Status : XXXX XXXX Class member eligible for monetary settlement and identity restoration services XXXX XXXX XXXX  BREACH XXXX  XXXX : NATIONAL PUBLIC DATA BREACH ( XX/XX/XXXX ) - XXXX XXXX  Perpetrator : XXXX XXXX XXXX hacking group - XXXX XXXX Magnitude : XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX personal records stolen from XXXX - XXXX XXXX  Breach Classification : XXXX XXXX One of the largest in history per cybersecurity researchers- XXXX XXXX My Specific Compromised Information Confirmed : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Full Legal Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - XXXX XXXX Social Security Number : XXXX XXXX  XXXX - XXXX XXXX ZIP Code : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Complete Address Details : * * XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, Oh XXXX - XXXX XXXX  Additional Personal Identifiers : XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CURRENT THREAT STATUS : XXXX XXXX This stolen personal information has now surfaced on the dark web and is being actively used by criminals to commit identity fraud, including the fraudulent opening of financial accounts in my name. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  FRAUDULENT ACCOUNTS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE PERMANENT DELETION The following accounts appearing on my credit report are XXXX XXXX  100 % FRAUDULENT XXXX XXXX  and were opened by criminals using my stolen personal information from the aforementioned data breaches. I have XXXX XXXX NEVER XXXX XXXX applied for, opened, authorized, used, or benefited from any of these accounts : XXXX XXXX XXXX FRAUDULENT ACCOUNT # XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Outstanding Balance : XXXX XXXX {$19000.00} - XXXX XXXX  Status : XXXX XXXX Fraudulent - Identity Theft Related - * * My Knowledge : XXXX XXXX  NO knowledge of this accounts existence prior to credit report discovery XXXX XXXX XXXX  FRAUDULENT ACCOUNT XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Outstanding Balance : XXXX XXXX {$1800.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX Status : XXXX XXXX Fraudulent - Identity Theft Related - XXXX XXXX  My Knowledge : XXXX XXXX NO knowledge of this accounts existence prior to credit report discovery XXXX XXXX XXXX  FRAUDULENT ACCOUNT XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Outstanding Balance : XXXX XXXX  {$1800.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX  Status : XXXX XXXX Fraudulent - Identity Theft Related/ Collection Account - XXXX XXXX My Knowledge : XXXX XXXX NO knowledge of this accounts existence prior to credit report discovery XXXX XXXX TOTAL XXXX XXXX XXXXT : XXXX XXXX  {$22000.00} These fraudulent accounts represent the direct criminal exploitation of my personal information stolen in confirmed data breaches, causing severe damage to my credit profile, financial standing, and ability to obtain legitimate credit. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL DEMANDS UNDER THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT ( FCRA XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. FCRA 605B - IDENTITY THEFT INFORMATION ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) XXXX XXXX Subsection ( a ) - Blocking Requirement XXXX XXXX XXXX Upon receipt of this identity theft report with appropriate documentation, you are XXXX XXXX  LEGALLY MANDATED XXXX XXXX to : - XXXX XXXX IMMEDIATELY BLOCK XXXX XXXX the reporting of any information in the consumers file that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from identity theft - XXXX XXXX NOT report, provide, or communicate XXXX XXXX such blocked information, except in limited statutory circumstances XXXX XXXX XXXX NOTIFY furnishers XXXX XXXX of the information that the information XXXX be the result of identity theft XXXX XXXX  Subsection ( c ) - Exception for Resellers : XXXX XXXX Information blocked under this section shall not be reported by any consumer reporting agency except in response to a specific request by the consumer or under court order. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX. FCRA 611 ( a ) - PROCEDURE IN CASE OF DISPUTED INFORMATION ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) XXXX XXXX  Subsection ( 1 ) ( A ) - Reinvestigation Requirement : XXXX XXXX  You must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation to determine whether the disputed information is inaccurate and record the current status of the disputed information within XXXX XXXX 30 days XXXX XXXX of receipt. 

XXXX XXXX  Subsection ( 1 ) ( D ) - Notice to Furnisher : XXXX XXXX You must provide notice of the dispute to any person who provided any item of information in question XXXX XXXX within XXXX business days XXXX XXXX  of receiving the dispute. 

XXXX XXXX Subsection ( 5 ) ( A ) - Treatment of Inaccurate Information : XXXX XXXX If information is found to be inaccurate or incomplete or can not be verified, you must XXXX XXXX  promptly delete XXXX XXXX  such information and may not thereafter report such information. 

XXXX XXXX Subsection ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii )- Written Notice : XXXX XXXX You must provide written notice of the results of any reinvestigation within * * XXXX business days * * of completion. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX 3. FCRA 623 - RESPONSIBILITIES OF FURNISHERS ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ) XXXX XXXX Subsection ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) - Accuracy Requirement : XXXX XXXX  Furnishers may not furnish information to consumer reporting agencies if they know or have reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate. 

XXXX XXXX Subsection ( a ) ( 1 ) ( F ) - Identity Theft Prevention XXXX XXXX XXXX  Furnishers must have reasonable procedures designed to respond appropriately to any notification of identity theft received from consumer reporting agencies. 

* * Subsection ( a ) ( 6 ) - Duty Upon Notice of Identity Theft : XXXX XXXX  Upon notification of potential identity theft, furnishers must conduct reasonable investigations and not report information they can not verify. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX  4. FCRA CIVIL LIABILITY PROVISIONS XXXX XXXX XXXX - Civil Liability for Willful Noncompliance ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) : XXXX XXXX - Actual damages sustained by the consumer - Punitive damages as the court XXXX allow ( statutory range : $ XXXX {$1000.00} per violation ) - Attorneys fees and costs of the action XXXX XXXX 617 - Civil Liability for Negligent Noncompliance ( 15 U.S.C . 1681o ) : * * - Actual damages sustained by the consumer - Attorneys fees and costs of the action -- -- - XXXX XXXX  COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL DEMANDS UNDER THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT ( FDCPA ) XXXX XXXX XXXX 1. FDCPA 807 - FALSE OR MISLEADING REPRESENTATIONS ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ) XXXX XXXX Subsection ( 8 ) - False Credit Information : XXXX XXXX  It is a violation for debt collectors to communicate or threaten to communicate to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a disputed debt is disputed. 

XXXX XXXX  Subsection ( XXXX ) - False Legal Status : XXXX XXXX Using any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt, including misrepresenting the legal status of fraudulent debts. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. FDCPA 808 - UNFAIR PRACTICES ( 15 U.S.C. 1692f ) XXXX XXXX General Prohibition XXXX XXXX XXXX Using unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt, including attempting to collect fraudulent debts that were never legitimately incurred. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX. FDCPA 809 - VALIDATION OF DEBTS ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ) XXXX XXXX  Subsection ( a ) - Initial Communication : XXXX XXXX Collection agencies must provide debt validation information within 5 days of initial communication, which they can not legitimately provide for fraudulent accounts. 

XXXX XXXX Subsection ( b ) - Disputed Debt Procedures : XXXX XXXX If  the validity of a debt is disputed within 30 days, debt collection activities must cease until verification is obtained and mailed to the consumer - impossible for fraudulent debts. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX. FDCPA CIVIL LIABILITY PROVISIONS XXXX XXXX 813 - Civil Liability ( 15 U.S.C. 1692k ) : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Individual Actions : XXXX XXXX Recovery of actual damages plus additional damages up to {$1000.00} - XXXX XXXX Class Actions : XXXX XXXX Additional damages up to {$500000.00} or 1 % of the creditors net worth XXXX XXXX XXXX Attorneys Fees and Costs : XXXX XXXX Successful consumers may recover reasonable attorneys fees and costs XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUIRED - LEGAL COMPLIANCE DEMANDS Based on the aforementioned federal statutes and my confirmed status as an identity theft victim from multiple data breaches, I hereby XXXX XXXX DEMAND XXXX XXXX  immediate compliance with the following legally mandated actions : XXXX XXXX XXXX IMMEDIATE BLOCKING AND DELETION ( Within 15 Days ) : 1. XXXX XXXX PERMANENTLY BLOCK XXXX XXXX all information related to the three fraudulent accounts pursuant to FCRA 605B ( a ) 1XXXX XXXX XXXX PERMANENTLY DELETE XXXX XXXX all references to these fraudulent accounts from my credit files XXXX. XXXX XXXX  CEASE ALL REPORTING XXXX XXXX of these accounts to any third parties XXXX. XXXX XXXX NOTIFY ALL FURNISHERS XXXX XXXX within 5 business days that these accounts resulted from confirmed identity theft per FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( D ) XXXX XXXX XXXX  COLLECTION ACTIVITY CESSATION ( Immediate ) : 1XXXX XXXX XXXX CEASE ALL COLLECTION ACTIVITIES XXXX XXXX  related to these fraudulent debts pursuant to FDCPA 809 ( b ) 1. XXXX XXXX STOP ALL COMMUNICATIONS XXXX XXXX regarding these fraudulent accounts XXXX. XXXX XXXX RECALL ANY PENDING LEGAL ACTIONS XXXX XXXX related to collection of fraudulent debts XXXX XXXX XXXX CORRECTIVE NOTIFICATIONS ( Within 30 Days ) : XXXX. XXXX XXXX  NOTIFY ALL CREDIT GRANTORS XXXX XXXX who received copies of my credit report containing the fraudulent information within the past 6 months ( 2 years for employment purposes ) XXXX. XXXX XXXX PROVIDE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION XXXX XXXX of all deletions and corrections made XXXX. XXXX XXXX  SUPPLY FREE COPIES XXXX XXXX of my updated credit report from all three major bureaus showing the permanent deletions # # # ONGOING COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS : XXXX. XXXX XXXX MAINTAIN PERMANENT BLOCKS XXXX XXXX against any future reporting of this fraudulent information XXXX. XXXX XXXX IMPLEMENT SAFEGUARDS XXXX XXXX to prevent reinsertion of fraudulent data without proper legal recertification XXXX. XXXX XXXX ESTABLISH IDENTITY THEFT ALERTS XXXX XXXX on my credit files to prevent future fraudulent account openings XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND EVIDENCE XXXX XXXX Enclosed and incorporated by reference : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX PRIMARY DOCUMENTATION : - XXXX XXXX  Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Identity Theft Report XXXX XXXX  - Official government documentation of identity theft complaint - XXXX XXXX Equifax Data Breach Settlement Confirmation XXXX XXXX - Official proof of breach impact from XXXX - XXXX XXXX National Public Data Breach Evidence XXXX XXXX  - Screenshots and documentation showing my personal information in the compromised database - XXXX  XXXX  Government-Issued Photo Identification XXXX XXXX - Confirming my identity and legal name - XXXX XXXX Proof of Current Address XXXX XXXX  - Utility bills and official correspondence XXXX XXXX XXXX Social Security Administration Documentation XXXX XXXX - Confirming legitimate SSN ownership # # # SUPPLEMENTARY EVIDENCE : - XXXX  XXXX Screenshots of breach notification websites XXXX XXXX showing confirmed impact - XXXX XXXX Documentation of identity theft prevention measures XXXX XXXX taken following breach notifications- XXXX XXXX  Correspondence with financial institutions XXXX XXXX denying knowledge of fraudulent accounts - XXXX XXXX Timeline of breach discoveries XXXX XXXX and subsequent fraudulent account appearances XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX LEGAL NOTICE OF INTENT TO PURSUE CIVIL REMEDIES This letter constitutes XXXX XXXX FORMAL LEGAL NOTICE XXXX XXXX that I will aggressively pursue all available legal remedies under federal and state law for any failure to comply with the demands set forth herein. My preparedness to take legal action includes, but is not limited to : XXXX XXXX XXXX  REGULATORY COMPLAINTS : XXXX. XXXX XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) XXXX XXXX  - Filing comprehensive complaints regarding FCRA and FDCPA violations XXXX. XXXX XXXX  Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) XXXX XXXX  - Reporting violations of federal consumer protection laws XXXX. XXXX XXXX State Attorney General XXXX XXXX  - Pursuing state-level consumer protection enforcement XXXX XXXX XXXX  State Banking Regulators XXXX XXXX XXXX Reporting violations to appropriate state regulatory bodies XXXX XXXX XXXX CIVIL LITIGATION : XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Actions XXXX XXXX under FCRA 616-617 seeking : - Actual damages for credit harm, emotional distress, and financial losses - Punitive damages up to statutory maximums- Attorneys fees and litigation costs - Injunctive relief requiring compliance XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Federal Court Actions XXXX XXXX under FDCPA 813 seeking : - Actual damages for harassment and collection attempts on fraudulent debts - Statutory damages up to {$1000.00} per violation - Attorneys fees and litigation costs - Cessation of all collection activities XXXX XXXX XXXX CLASS ACTION PARTICIPATION : XXXX. XXXX XXXX  Joining existing class action lawsuits XXXX XXXX  against entities that fail to properly handle identity theft cases XXXX. XXXX XXXX Initiating class action litigation XXXX XXXX if widespread violations are discovered XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  STATUTORY COMPLIANCE TIMELINE AND URGENCY This matter requires XXXX XXXX IMMEDIATE PRIORITY ATTENTION XXXX XXXX due to : XXXX XXXX XXXX TIME-SENSITIVE FACTORS : - XXXX XXXX Confirmed identity theft XXXX XXXX from XXXX separate major data breaches affecting billions of consumers - XXXX XXXX  Significant ongoing financial harm XXXX XXXX totaling {$22000.00} in fraudulent debt reporting - XXXX XXXX Continuous credit damage XXXX XXXX preventing legitimate credit applications and financial transactions - XXXX XXXX Federal statutory deadlines XXXX XXXX  requiring prompt investigation and response XXXX XXXX XXXX COMPLIANCE DEADLINES : - XXXX XXXX XXXX Business Days XXXX XXXX XXXX  Notification to furnishers ( FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( D ) ) - XXXX XXXX 15 Days : XXXX XXXX Initial blocking and deletion actions ( My demand for expedited processing ) - XXXX XXXX 30 Days : XXXX XXXX Complete reinvestigation and final resolution ( FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS CONSIDERATIONS : XXXX XXXX XXXX  FCRA Claims : XXXX XXXX 2 years from discovery of violation - XXXX XXXX FDCPA Claims : XXXX XXXX 1 year from violation occurrence - XXXX XXXX Continuing Violations : XXXX XXXX  Each day of non-compliance constitutes a separate violation XXXX XXXX CRITICAL NOTICE : XXXX XXXX Any delay in compliance beyond these timeframes will be considered evidence of willful violations of federal consumer protection laws and will result in enhanced damages and penalties in subsequent legal proceedings. 

-Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief