Consumer complaint received 2024-11-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX Equifax Subject : Immediate Removal of Fraudulent Account and Unauthorized Information FCRA Violations Dear [ Equifax ], I am writing to formally dispute inaccurate and unauthorized information reported on my credit file. The details of the account are as follows : Account Information : Collection Agency : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Original Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Account Number : XXXX Amount : {$440.00} Status : Unpaid Date of First Delinquency : XX/XX/XXXX This account is fraudulent and is associated with identity theft. This same account was previously disputed and removed from my credit report by Equifax, as it was confirmed fraudulent. However, it has now reappeared under a different collection agency. This action violates several provisions under the FCRA, as outlined below. 

FCRA Violations and Legal Grounds for Removal 1. Section 605B Blocking of Information Resulting from Identity Theft The FCRA prohibits reinsertion of fraudulent or identity-theft-related information once it has been blocked. This account, originally reported by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, has already been deemed fraudulent. The reappearance of this account under XXXX XXXX XXXX violates FCRA Section 605B, as no permissible reason was provided to reinstate this account.

2. Section 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) Duty of Furnishers to Provide Accurate Information XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  was informed of the fraudulent nature of this account. Their duty was to cease reporting or transferring this account to another collection agency. Selling or transferring a fraudulent debt is a direct violation of the FCRA, as they are knowingly reporting or allowing false information to be reported.

3. Section 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) Reappearance of Previously Deleted Information This section prohibits the reappearance of previously deleted fraudulent data without notification to the consumer. The reappearance of this account without proper investigation or notification to me, the consumer, constitutes a serious breach of this FCRA requirement.

4. Section 604 Permissible Purposes for Obtaining a Credit Report Collection agencies are required to validate the legitimacy of an account before reporting it. XXXX XXXX XXXX did not validate my identity or the legitimacy of this debt, which constitutes a violation of Section 604, as they did not have a permissible purpose for reporting this debt. 

Additional Violations : Misreporting of Personal Information The following names and addresses are inaccurately associated with my file and should be deleted : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Only one correct address should be on my file : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, CA XXXX Including incorrect names on my credit file violates Section 609 ( a ) ( 1 ) of the FCRA, which mandates accurate and complete information in a consumers credit report. 

Required Actions XXXX. Immediate Deletion of the Fraudulent Account Please remove this account from XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX from my credit file entirely. 
XXXX. Correcting Inaccurate Personal Information Ensure that only my correct legal name, XXXX XXXX XXXX, and my current address, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, CA XXXX, are reflected on my credit report. 
3. Compliance Confirmation and Investigation Details Provide a complete investigation summary confirming the actions taken to address these inaccuracies, as per FCRA Section 611 ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ). 

This dispute includes documentation supporting my claim, such as a copy of my Social Security card confirming my name. This letter serves as formal notice of the inaccuracies on my credit file and my request for immediate resolution. 

If these violations are not corrected within 15 days, I am prepared to file complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and consider legal action to enforce my rights under the FCRA. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation