Consumer complaint received 2024-09-12 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: KS

Complaint narrative:
THIS IS NOT A DUPLICATE New Complaint New Information being submitted Attn : Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Subject : Fraudulent Accounts and Request for Removal FTC # XXXX Dear Equifax, My name is XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX, Social Security : XXXX ), and I have been a victim of identity theft. Despite reaching out to this credit bureau, fraudulent information continues to appear on my credit report, which has severely impacted my credit score, lowering it into the XXXX. This situation has resulted in the denial of a home loan. I have also filed a new FTC complaint and request your immediate attention to this matter. 

Statement of Involvement : I, XXXX XXXX, confirm that I am submitting this request independently and without the assistance of any third party. I have previously filed multiple disputes, particularly concerning XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) and XXXX XXXX XXXX both of which are fraudulent. Recently, a new XXXX XXXX XXXX account has appeared on my report that I do not recognize, further damaging my credit score by XXXX points instead of reflecting a XXXX increase. 

Fraudulent Accounts to be Removed : XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX - Amount : {$11000.00} - Credit Limit : {$12000.00} - Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX - Date Closed : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX - Amount : {$11000.00} - Credit Limit : {$12000.00} - Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX - Date Closed : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX - Amount : {$1400.00} - Credit Limit : {$350.00} - Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX - Date Closed : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX. XXXX - Account Number : XXXX - Amount : {$0.00} - Credit Limit : {$0.00} - Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX - Open as of : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX - Amount : {$1400.00} - Credit Limit : {$350.00} - Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX - Date Closed : XX/XX/XXXX Credit Score Discrepancy : I also dispute the current score reported by Equifax, which should reflect a XXXX, in line with the other credit bureaus. 

Incident Report : During my efforts to dispute inaccuracies, I was informed that Equifax allegedly sides with creditors. I was advised to file an FTC complaint, but despite submitting the necessary identity theft documentation, no changes have been made to my account. Furthermore, after mailing sensitive information to Equifax, my credit report was tampered with, leading to additional inaccuracies. 

Legal Basis for Removal : Under the provisions of 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 I am formally requesting the removal of these fraudulent accounts and inquiries from my credit report. This request is in accordance with my right to have incorrect or unauthorized information blocked following incidents of identity theft.

Rights Referenced : 1. 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 Prohibits the reporting of information known to be inaccurate.

2. 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 Provides for the blocking of identity theft-related information on consumer credit reports. 

Conclusion : Please address these inaccuracies at your earliest convenience and remove the listed fraudulent accounts and inquiries. I have attached new FTC and CFPB complaints for your reference. 

Here are XXXX notable cases related to XXXX and XXXX where people have challenged incorrect credit reporting or unfair practices : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) : In this class-action lawsuit, XXXX XXXX and others alleged that XXXX opened unauthorized new credit accounts, such as XXXX XXXX accounts , without proper notification. These actions negatively affected their credit scores. The lawsuit claims violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and state laws. XXXX experienced a XXXX drop in his credit score due to this unauthorized XXXX. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX filed a lawsuit alleging that XXXX and XXXX violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). Although the court dismissed the FDCPA claims, it highlighted significant issues regarding how the companies handled credit reporting and debt collection, though it ruled that the companies were not " debt collectors '' under the XXXX. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : Another class-action suit was filed against XXXX after the company created thousands of unauthorized accounts, impacting many customers ' credit scores. This lawsuit focused on deceptive trade practices, false advertising, and violations of consumer protection XXXX. 

These cases illustrate ongoing legal challenges regarding XXXX 's credit reporting and account practices, with claims ranging from unauthorized account openings to improper credit reporting. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX has faced multiple legal cases related to incorrect credit reporting. Some of the most notable include : XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) This case involved the inaccurate reporting of charge-offs. The plaintiff claimed that XXXX XXXX reported multiple charge-offs when there was only XXXX, leading to false information on their credit XXXX. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) This case centered on allegations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). The plaintiff accused XXXX XXXX of failing to properly investigate disputed charges, resulting in incorrect information being reported to credit XXXX. 

XXXX. In XXXX, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) fined XXXX XXXX {$28.00} XXXX for deceptive debt collection practices, which included falsely threatening consumers about the credit consequences of delinquent payments, leading to inaccurate credit XXXX. 

These cases highlight XXXX XXXX 's involvement in disputes related to improper credit reporting, often tied to broader issues of debt collection and loan servicing practices. 


XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is currently facing a class-action lawsuit accusing it of XXXX discrimination in its mortgage lending practices. The lawsuit, led by prominent attorney XXXX XXXX, alleges that the XXXX XXXX systematically denied home loans to XXXX and XXXX applicants at higher rates than their white counterparts, even when applicants had similar financial profiles. For example, data shows that in XXXX, XXXX XXXX approved loans for 77 % of white applicants but only 48 % of XXXX applicants. XXXX, XXXX XXXXXXXX, and XXXX applicants also faced approval disparities.The plaintiffs, which include current and former military members, argue that these practices violate several federal laws, including the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Some claim that when loans were approved for minority applicants, they often came with worse interest rates and terms compared to those offered to white borrowers. The lawsuit highlights the emotional and financial toll this has taken on those affected, forcing them to seek more expensive alternative financing. 


Here are XXXX notable lawsuits that Equifax lost or settled due to improper credit reporting : XXXX. Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Settlement ( XXXX ) - Case : After the massive data breach in XXXX, Equifax was sued for failing to protect the personal data of approximately XXXX XXXX consumers. 
- Outcome : Equifax agreed to pay up to {$700.00} XXXX in settlements, including {$420.00} XXXX to directly help those affected by the breach. The settlement was overseen by the FTC, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), and state attorneys general. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax ( XXXX ) - Case : A XXXX  man, XXXX XXXX, sued Equifax for improperly reporting debts that he had already paid off, causing him financial harm. 
- Outcome : Equifax was ordered to pay {$18.00} XXXX to XXXX, including both compensatory and punitive damages. This case highlighted systemic problems in Equifax 's handling of consumer disputes over erroneous credit reporting. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX and Equifax ( XXXX ) - Case : XXXX XXXX filed a class-action lawsuit against both Equifax and XXXX for inaccurate credit reporting, specifically flagging him as a match to individuals on a government watchlist. 
- Outcome : The case went to the Supreme Court in XXXX, where XXXX was held liable for damages. While Equifax settled its portion earlier, it highlighted issues with flagging consumers incorrectly. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) Lawsuit ( XXXX ) - Case : Equifax, along with other credit reporting agencies, was sued for inaccurate reporting that affected mortgage applicants, contributing to the XXXX financial crisis. 
- Outcome : Equifax settled with the FHFA for an undisclosed amount, agreeing to make improvements to their reporting systems to ensure greater accuracy and reliability for consumers seeking home loans. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX v. Equifax ( XXXX ) - Case : XXXX XXXX sued Equifax for failing to remove inaccurate information from his credit report after numerous attempts to correct it. The erroneous information caused financial difficulties for XXXX. 
- Outcome : The jury awarded XXXX {$3.00} million** in punitive damages, recognizing Equifax 's mishandling of the dispute process and improper reporting practices. 

These cases demonstrate ongoing issues with Equifax 's credit reporting accuracy and data handling, resulting in various legal challenges and significant financial penalties. 

Contact Information : 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 Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX ( Enclosures : New CFPB Complaint, FTC Identity Theft Report )

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief