Consumer complaint received 2025-08-01 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Old information reappears or never goes away
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Demand for Immediate Suppression and Legal Compliance FCRA Violations Involving Unlawful Reinsertion I am writing to formally notify your agency that Equifax has unlawfully reinserted 2 accounts that was previously removed from my credit file, in direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), including but not limited to 15 U.S.C. 1681i, 1681c-2, and 1681s-2 ( b ). This letter constitutes my final warning before initiating legal action.

Account ( s ) in Question. The reinserted account ( s ) at issue in this dispute are as follows : ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX. These accounts were previously removed after formal disputes and have now been unlawfully reinserted into my Equifax credit file without proper certification from the data furnisher and without the legally required notice to me, as required by federal law. Your agencys actions not only mirror the conduct that led the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) to fine Equifax {$15.00} XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX, but also reflect the very behavior for which Experian itself is currently being sued by the CFPB. That lawsuitfiled in XXXX XXXX that Experian engaged in sham investigations, unlawful reinsertions, and failed to adequately respond to consumer disputes, all in direct violation of federal law. This reinsertion occurred without legally required notice, certification, or a legitimate reinvestigation. If this account is not immediately removed and suppressed during reinvestigation, I will pursue litigation without further notice, along with regulatory complaints and all available legal remedies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. CFPB Enforcement Action Against Equifax Precedent for Your Legal Liability. On XX/XX/XXXX, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) issued a landmark enforcement action against Equifax Inc. and Equifax Information Services LLC, imposing a {$15.00} XXXX penalty for egregious violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). The CFPBs investigation revealed multiple systemic failures, including : Reinserting previously deleted accounts without obtaining legal certification, in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ).

Failing to notify consumers within five ( 5 ) business days of reinsertion, as required under the same statute. Conducting inadequate reinvestigations, in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), by ignoring consumer-provided documentation.

Relying exclusively on automated systems ( e.g., e-OSCAR ) instead of conducting a meaningful human review, contrary to obligations under 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) and 1681s-2 ( b ). The CFPB concluded that Equifax knowingly and willfully engaged in deceptive, unfair, and unlawful credit reporting practices, causing substantial and measurable harm to consumers nationwide. The ruling set a clear precedent : federal regulators will not tolerate systemic FCRA violations.

Your company, Equifax, is once again engaging in the exact same misconduct that prompted the CFPB to file suit against Equifax in XXXX XXXXalleging widespread violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), including : Sham investigations Illegal reinsertion of previously deleted accounts Failure to properly investigate consumer disputes. If these unlawful accounts are not immediately removed from my credit report, I will proceed with litigation without further notice and seek the maximum statutory and punitive damages available under : 15 U.S.C. 1681n 15 U.S.C. 1681o VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL LAW 1. Violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( b ) : Unlawful Reinsertion Without Certification You have failed to provide legal certification from the furnisher before reinserting this account.

You have failed to notify me of this reinsertion within five ( 5 ) business days.

2. Violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) : Failure to Notify the Consumer The law requires that I must be notified in writing if previously deleted information is reinserted. 
I never received such notice, making this reinsertion unlawful. 
XXXX. Violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) : Failure to Remove the Account During Investigation This section requires that disputed information be suppressed while a reinvestigation is pending.

If this account is still appearing on my report while under review, you are in violation of federal law.

4. Violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) : Furnishers Duty to Investigate The furnisher must conduct a meaningful, detailed reinvestigation and can not rely on automated systems like e-OSCAR. 

In XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX Cir. XXXX ), the court ruled that a mere electronic verification is insufficient under the FCRA. 

FORMAL DEMANDS FOR IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT SUPPRESSION 1. Immediate Suppression of This Account During Reinvestigation Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), you are legally required to suppress this account from all versions of my credit report while any reinvestigation is pending. 
If this account remains visible while under dispute, you are in direct violation of federal law and will face regulatory complaints and civil litigation without further notice. 
2. Permanent Suppression Unless Legally Certified Documentation Is Provided If you or the data furnisher attempt to reinsert this account in the future, you must first provide the following documentation for legal certification and review : A. Complete Investigation Log Full audit trail of all actions taken to verify this account.

Names and employee IDs of individuals involved.

Timestamps of each step performed.

B. Chain-of-Custody Documentation All records showing legal transfer of the account between the original creditor and any third-party furnishers.

Copies of billing statements validating the accuracy and validity of the debt.

C. Internal Communications & Review Notes Internal emails, memos, and notes related to this dispute or reinvestigation.

Name and title of the person who certified the accounts accuracy.

D. Full Call Logs and Audio Recordings If any phone-based verification occurred, I demand the complete call recordings and transcripts.

Failure to provide this constitutes an incomplete reinvestigation under the FCRA.

E. Legally Sworn Affidavit from a Senior Corporate Officer of the Data Furnisher A legally sworn affidavit must be signed under penalty of perjury by a senior corporate officer of the data furnisher ( e.g., creditor or collection agency ) not a call center employee or third-party contractor.

The affidavit must confirm that all submitted documentation is true, complete, accurate, and legally certified in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Failure to provide this affidavit renders any future reinsertion of the account legally invalid.

F. FTC Identity Theft Affidavit Verification Requirement ( Mandatory Under 15 U.S.C 1681i, 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), 1681e ( b ), and 1681m ( e ) ) If an FTC Identity Theft Affidavit was submitted during any previous dispute or investigation concerning the account ( s ) listed in this letter, Equifax is legally obligated to verify the affidavits authenticity with the Federal Trade Commission and provide full documentation of that verification process. Pursuant to your obligations under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) and 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), you must produce the following materials without exception : 1. FTC Verification Confirmation The full name, job title, and employee ID of the Equifax representative who contacted the FTC to verify the affidavit.

The exact date, time, and method of contact used to initiate verification with the FTC ( e.g., phone call, secure database, written correspondence ).

A copy of the FTCs response or confirmation verifying the affidavits validity.

Any FTC-generated complaint ID, reference number, or case tracking number issued at the time of verification.

2. Equifax Internal Investigation & Reference Numbers All internal investigation, tracking, and dispute file numbers associated with the identity theft dispute and reinvestigation.

These must correspond directly to the account ( s ) listed in this letter and be available for audit and litigation purposes.

3. Internal Notes, Agent Logs, and Affidavit Review Trail A complete, time-stamped audit trail of all Equifax personnel who reviewed or handled the FTC affidavit .

Internal notes, memos, and resolution summaries that document how a final decision was reached.

This includes any delegation of responsibility, approval signatures, or dispute closure decisions.

4. Chain of Custody Documentation ( Affidavit-Specific ) A full set of documents submitted with the FTC affidavit ( e.g., police reports, identity documents, proof of residence ).

A chain-of-custody report detailing when, where, and by whom each document was received, logged, and reviewed.

5. Affidavit Handling Procedures Policy A written copy of Equifaxs standard operating procedures for verifying FTC Identity Theft Affidavits, including internal quality control protocols.

These procedures must comply with federal mandates under 15 U.S.C. 1681m ( e ) regarding identity theft response practices.

All materials and records produced in response to this demand must be accompanied by a legally sworn affidavit or certification, signed under penalty of perjury by a senior Equifax officer or authorized compliance official, in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) and 1681m ( e ). This affidavit must confirm that all documentation provided is true, complete, accurate, and in full compliance with Equifaxs obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Any response lacking such certification will be deemed incomplete and noncompliant. Failure to verify the FTC affidavit in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) and 1681s-2 ( b ) renders any reinvestigation legally insufficient, any reinsertion unlawful, and your agency without any valid legal defense.

MANDATORY NOTIFICATION TO ALL CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 2 ), you are legally obligated to notify all other nationwide consumer reporting agencies ( Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian, if applicable ) of this dispute within five ( 5 ) business days of receiving it.

Failure to comply with this statutory requirement will constitute a direct violation of federal law and will trigger immediate legal action under the Judge in Five Rule, including demands for expedited judicial relief, statutory damages, and injunctive remedies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ).

This notice is formal and time-sensitive. Noncompliance will result in litigation and regulatory escalation without further warning.

ADDITIONAL LEGAL NOTICE Prohibited Verification Sources Pursuant to FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), Equifax is legally obligated to conduct all reinvestigations using reliable, independent, and impartial sources of verification. The use of any source that is a subsidiary, affiliate, or financially connected entity of Experian, TransUnion, Equifax, or any national credit reporting agency, constitutes a conflict of interest and invalidates the reinvestigation process. I hereby demand written certification that none of the following conflicted data providers or affiliated entities were used during any reinvestigation related to the disputed account ( XXXX ) : Equifax : The Work Number, Equifax XXXX, Equifax XXXX Experian : XXXX XXXX, Experian XXXX, Experian XXXX XXXX TransUnion : XXXX, XXXX, TransUnion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Other Prohibited Entities : XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Use of any of the above entitiesor any other bureau-controlled or bureau-funded sourceviolates the legal requirement for a fair and independent reinvestigation under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ( FACTA ). Any reinvestigation that relied on these parties will constitute a willful violation of federal law, render the outcome legally invalid, and result in immediate legal action, including the pursuit of statutory, punitive, and injunctive relief under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o.

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE If these demands are not fully satisfied within fifteen ( 15 ) calendar days, I will initiate the following actions : 1. File formal complaints with the CFPB, Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and [ Your State ] Attorney General.

2. File suit in federal court under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o, seeking : Statutory damages of {$1000.00} per violation Punitive damages Full reimbursement of attorneys fees and court costs 3. Submit a formal request for an audit of your reinvestigation procedures and consumer dispute handling practices.

FINAL NOTICE : COMPLY OR FACE IMMEDIATE LEGAL ACTION This letter serves as your final legal notice. Your agency is in active violation of multiple federal statutes under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Failure to comply within the specified timeframe will result in immediate legal action to the fullest extent of the law.

I expect the following without delay : Written acknowledgment within five ( 5 ) business days Full resolution within fifteen ( 15 ) calendar days THIS IS YOUR FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID LITIGATION.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief