Consumer complaint received 2025-02-14 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this formal complaint regarding fraudulent accounts, unauthorized hard inquiries, and incorrect late payments appearing on my credit reports due to identity theft and a massive data breach that compromised my personal and financial information. 

Despite my previous dispute submissions, these creditors and credit bureaus have failed to conduct a proper investigation or provide validation of the debts, violating multiple provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and federal consumer protection laws. 

Details of Fraudulent Activity XXXX. Fraudulent Accounts & Incorrect Reporting The following fraudulent accounts and charge-offs appear on my credit report, despite my disputes and supporting documentation proving identity theft : Creditor Account Type Date Opened Status Amount XXXX Charge Card XX/XX/year> Charged Off {$1000.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year> XXXX XXXX {$450.00} [ Additional Creditor ] [ Account Type ] [ Date ] [ Status ] [ Amount ] These accounts were opened fraudulently without my consent, and the creditors have failed to provide original signed agreements or application records proving my authorization. 

XXXX. Unauthorized XXXX Inquiries My credit reports contain multiple unauthorized hard inquiries that violate FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( c ), which requires consumer consent before a hard inquiry can be made. 

Company Requesting Inquiry Date of Inquiry [ XXXX XXXX XXXX [ Date ] [ Lender/Creditor Name ] [ Date ] These inquiries were not authorized by me, and their presence lowers my credit score and damages my financial opportunities.

3. Fraudulent & Incorrect Late Payments The following late payments are being improperly reported and are affecting my credit score even though the accounts were fraudulent : Creditor Month ( XXXX ) Reported Late Number of Days Late XXXX [ Months ] [ Days ] XXXX XXXX [ Months ] [ Days ] These creditors have failed to provide any legitimate documentation proving that these late payments were authorized under my name. 

FEDERAL LAWS VIOLATED The credit bureaus and creditors have violated the following consumer protection laws by failing to correct these fraudulent records : FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 Requires blocking fraudulent accounts upon submission of an identity theft report.

FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) Requires creditors and collectors to conduct a proper reinvestigation when a consumer disputes an account.

FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) Mandates that credit bureaus must ensure maximum possible accuracy when reporting consumer data.

FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( c ) Prohibits unauthorized hard inquiries without consumer consent. 
FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681i Requires prompt reinvestigation of disputed information.

FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681n & 1681o Holds credit bureaus and creditors liable for willful and negligent violations of the FCRA.

FDCPA 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 8 ) Prohibits debt collectors from reporting fraudulent debts that they know to be disputed.

18 U.S.C. 1028 Recognizes identity theft as a federal crime and holds companies accountable for fraudulent reporting. 
EVIDENCE PROVIDED FTC Identity Theft Report & Case Number

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief