Consumer complaint received 2024-12-10 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 writing to formally file a complaint regarding multiple violations of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and other relevant laws.

1. Excessive Credit Pulls : Equifax allowed companies to excessively pull my credit via soft pulls without my knowledge or consent.

2. Unauthorized Transaction History : Equifax is recording transaction history without my consent.

3. Negligence and Compromised Credit : Due to Equifax 's negligence in allowing unauthorized access to my credit.

I have been overwhelmed by an excessive number of phone callsranging from 20 to 30 per dayand a significant volume of emails from individuals claiming I applied for services, signed up for offers, or opened accounts without my knowledge. Despite my efforts to opt out of these solicitations, the calls continue. Moreover, my credit report has been accessed nea
rly 400 times in the past 19 months, mostly without my consent. Between XXXX and XXXX, there have been 2 to 3 instances where Equifax either completely lost my credit profile, resulting in no data being available, or where my credit could not be accessed through Equifax even with my consent. Its likely that my account was compromised during the Equifax Data Breach. When I reached out to Equifax for assistance, they were unhelpful and acted as though there was no issue.

As a federally protected consumer, I am opting out of any and all authorizations, whether written, unwritten, verbal, or non-verbal, that I may have previously granted. This includes opting out under 15 USC 6802, the Privacy Act of 1974 ( 15 USC 1611 ), and provisions regarding criminal liability for willfully and knowingly violating these protections ( 15 USC 1681 ). The reporting of transaction history without my consent is illegal ( 15 USC 6801 ), and it is the policy of Congress that financial institutions respect the privacy of the
ir customers and protect their nonpublic personal information.

According to 15 USC 6802 ( b ) ( c ), financial institutions are prohibited from disclosing nonpublic personal information to nonaffiliated third parties unless the consumer is informed of how they can exercise their nondisclosure option. I have never been informed of my right to opt out of such disclosures, which I believe is a violation of my privacy rights.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 USC 1681, Section 602 ( a ) states, " There is a need to ensure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and respect for the consumers right to privacy. '' Equifax, as a consumer reporting agency, is responsible for adhering to these principles. I, as the consumer, have the right to protect my private information. 15 USC 6801 supports this, stating, " It is the policy of Congress that each financial institution has an affirmative and continuing obligation to respect the privacy of its customers and protect the security and confidentiality of their nonpublic personal information. '' All creditors involved are considered financial institutions under this statute.

Additionally, 15 U.S. Code 1681e requires that " Every consumer reporting agency shall maintain reasonable procedures designed to avoid violations of section 1681c of this title and limit the furnishing of consumer reports to the purposes listed under section 1681b of this title. '' It is clear that reasonable procedures have not been followed in my case, as my credit information is being shared without my explicit consent. 

Given these violations, I am requesting immediate action to address the unauthorized use and reporting of my personal and financial information. I am seeking assistance from your office to ensure that my rights as a consumer are protected and that any entities involved comply with the relevant laws governing privacy and consent. 

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 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 Attachments provided - inquiries from Equifax credit report and examples showing I never signed up for credit monitoring for XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) of the numerous companies who excessively pulled my credit.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief