Consumer complaint received 2024-12-06 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: IL

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, il XXXX last 4 of ssn XXXX, XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, IA XXXX Subject : I am writing to you in regard to the information listed on my credit file associated with my Social Security number. It has come to my attention that there is adverse information reported by your agency that IS not directly from a VERIFIED RECORD. I am deeply concerned about the privacy and accuracy of this information, as my Social Security number is a private identifier and should only be used by entities with whom I EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED .It is my understanding that information associated with my Social Security number should only be reported if it is directly from a creditor and meets these standards. Any reporting of adverse financial information obtained from public data gathering aggregators violates my right to privacy and fails to meet the legal requirements outlined by the FDCPA and FCRA, AS SUCH INFORMATION IS NEITHER ACCURATE, VERIFIED, OR VALID AS REQUIRED BY LAW. MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER HAS NEVER BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC RECORDS, AND SUCH RECORD GATHERING MUST BE DEEMED AS INACCURATE IF THERE IS A CLAIM THAT IT IS. The severe and ongoing violations of federal law by XXXX XXXX and Equifax. Despite my communication ( s ), these agencies continue to report unauthorized hard inquiries, fraudulent accounts, and adverse information on my credit file. These actions are not only unlawful but have directly and significantly harmed my ability to secure essential services. I demand immediate and decisive corrective action, as my livelihood is in peril. If this matter is not resolved within ten ( 10 ) business days, I will have no choice but to pursue legal remedies. Summary of Federal Violations : XXXX. Violation of 15 U.S. Code 1692f Prohibition of Unconscionable Means to Collect a Debt XXXX XXXX and Equifax are currently reporting multiple fraudulent accounts in an effort to collect debt through unconscionable and unlawful means, in direct violation of 15 U.S. Code 1692f. These accounts were opened without my knowledge or consent, and their presence on my credit reports is a clear attempt to extort payments for debts I do not owe. Specifically, the following accounts have been fraudulently reported : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$950.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$5600.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$30000.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$1900.00} XXXX XXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$140.00} XXXX XXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$0.00} XXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$0.00} over at Equifax : Derogatory mark ( s ) XXXX XXXX XXXX  Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$950.00} XXXX  XXXX XXXXXXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$30000.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX {$5600.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$1900.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$140.00} XXXX XXXX Last reported XX/XX/XXXX {$0.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX Last XXXX XX/XX/XXXX {$0.00} XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account info XXXX. Further reporting of these unauthorized accounts and there adverse information will be treated as additional violations of federal law, and legal action will be taken accordingly. XXXX. Violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681c ( a ) Exclusion of Adverse Information Under 15 U.S. Code 1681c ( a ), credit reporting agencies are required to exclude adverse information that damages a consumers financial reputation. XXXX, Equifax and XXXX continue to report negative and damaging information, preventing me from acquiring housing and causing ongoing financial hardship. Immediate Remedy Required : All adverse information, including the fraudulent accounts listed above and unauthorized hard inquiries, must be removed from my credit reports without delay. XXXX. Violation of 15 U.S. Code 1692c ( c ) Cease Communication and Refusal to Pay I have explicitly informed the involved parties that I refuse to pay the fraudulent debts reported on my credit reports. Despite this, XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX continue to report these debts, violating 15 U.S. Code 1692c ( c ), which mandates that all communication regarding the debts must cease upon refusal to pay. Immediate Remedy Required : All communication and reporting related to these fraudulent debts must stop immediately. Failure to comply will result in further legal action. XXXX. Violation of 15 U.S. Code 1666a Threatening to Report Adverse Information Under 15 U.S. Code 1666a, creditors are prohibited from threatening to report adverse information for unauthorized debts. The continued presence of these debts on my credit reports is a violation of this statute, as I have not lawfully incurred these debts. Immediate Remedy Required : All adverse information related to these fraudulent debts must be removed from my credit file immediately. 5. Violation of 15 U.S. Code 1666b Improper Late Payment Reporting on Open-End Consumer Credit Plans Creditors are prohibited from reporting payments as late on open-end consumer credit plans unless legally justified. The transactions tied to these fraudulent accounts were fully paid from the start, with a finance charge. There is no legal basis for reporting these payments as late. Immediate Remedy Required : Remove all late payment entries from my credit file immediately, as they are invalid and unlawful. 6. Violation of 15 U.S. Code 6801 & 6802 Protection of Nonpublic Personal Information XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX have mishandled my nonpublic personal financial information in direct violation of 15 U.S. Code 6801 and 6802. These statutes mandate that financial institutions protect consumer information, yet unauthorized accounts and hard inquiries have appeared on my credit reports. Immediate Remedy Required : All unauthorized disclosures of my personal information must be corrected immediately, and all hard inquiries must be removed to prevent further breaches. XXXX. Violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( c ) ( 3 ) Unauthorized Hard Inquiries on Credit Report 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( c ) ( 3 ) explicitly prohibits consumer reporting agencies from disclosing hard inquiries. My credit reports contain multiple unauthorized hard inquiries, which have severely damaged my financial standing, including : XXXX, hard inquiries must be removed immediately. Any further reporting of these inquiries will be considered additional violations of federal law. XXXX. Violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681a ( D2 ) Exclusion from Consumer Reports 15 U.S. Code 1681a ( D2 ) mandates that certain information related to transactions between affiliated persons by corporate control be excluded from consumer reports. The entries currently on my credit report do not meet this standard and violate the statute. Immediate Remedy Required : All unauthorized accounts and hard inquiries must be expunged from my credit reports immediately, as they are unlawful and damaging. Various laws have been enacted to protect the privacy of individuals ' SSNs, restricting their use and disclosure. Here are five relevant laws and five case citations that reflect the legal landscape around the protection of Social Security numbers. Laws Protecting Social Security Numbers Privacy Act of 1974 ( 5 U.S.C. 552a ) : This Act restricts how the federal government can ( disclose personal information, such as Social Security numbers. It mandates that government Agencies must have a relevant and necessary reason to collect an individual 's SSN and must also inform individuals how their SSN will be used. ( Social Security Number Protection Act of 2010 : This Act specifically prohibits the printing ( of an individual 's Social Security number on checks issued for payment by the federal ( government, as well as on any card required for accessing government services, in order to reduce the risk of SSN theft. Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 ( 18 U.S.C. 1028 ) : While not solely focused on SSNs, this Act makes it a federal crime to knowingly use another person 's identification with fraudulent intent, which includes the unauthorized use of someone's ( Social Security number. Case Citations Regarding Social Security Number Privacy In re XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. ( XXXX ) : Although not exclusively about SSNs, this case dealt with the broader issue of ( personal information security, including SSNs, in the context of a data breach. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : This case addressed damages related to the unauthorized ( disclosure of an individual 's Social Security number by the government, underscoring the ( privacy interests associated with SSNs. XXXX, XXXX, and ALL associated financial institutions must remove all unauthorized hard inquiries, fraudulent accounts, and adverse information from my credit files. This must be done within ten ( 10 ) business days of receiving this complaint. Full Update of My Credit Reports : Once the fraudulent accounts and inquiries have been removed, my credit reports must be updated immediately to reflect these corrections in their entirety. Conclusion : The continued violations by XXXX Equifax and XXXX are not only illegal but are also causing severe harm to my financial standing, reputation, and ability to secure my personal banking financial information. If these issues are not fully resolved within the stipulated timeframe, I will pursue all available legal actions to protect my rights under federal law. I expect swift and thorough action to correct these violations and prevent further damage to my livelihood. Just so everybody understands what needs to happen I highly suggest ALL implicated entities to stop this illicit activities and READ THIS COMPLAINT IN ITS XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation