Consumer complaint received 2025-05-21 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: OR

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, OR XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX To : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) Subject : Formal Complaint Against Equifax for Failure to Honor Fraud Claims and Illegal Credit Reporting Practices Dear CFPB, I am filing a formal complaint against Equifax for their continued failure to properly investigate and honor my identity theft fraud claims stemming from the XXXXXXXX Equifax data breach, despite my full compliance in providing all required documentation through three separate rounds of claims. 

Background : Since XXXX, I have been victim to identity theft linked to the Equifax data breach. I have submitted all required identity verification and fraud affidavits multiple times, including comprehensive documentation to support my claims. Despite this, Equifax has failed to remove or properly investigate fraudulent accounts, instead engaging in the illegal practice of switching account statuses ( from collections to charge-offs and vice versa ) during their so-called investigations. This tactic violates both the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) by causing ongoing damage and confusion to my credit profile. 

Meanwhile, XXXX  has fully respected my claims, promptly removing every fraudulent item related to these accounts. 


-- - Accounts in Dispute : 1. XXXX XXXX XXXX Reported as Collection This account has been improperly reported and switched without proper verification. 

Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ), Equifax is required to conduct a reasonable investigation of disputed information and remove unverifiable or fraudulent data.

Switching the status during investigation constitutes re-aging, which is prohibited by 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ), as it can mislead lenders and perpetuate damage.

2. XXXX XXXX- Reported as Charge-Off Despite clear evidence of identity theft and submission of documentation, Equifax has refused to remove or block this fraudulent information. 

Per 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) ( 3 ), blocked information related to identity theft must not be reported.

Equifaxs refusal to block fraudulent accounts is the subject of ongoing CFPB litigation for violating consumer rights.

3. XXXX XXXX Reported as Charge-Off Equifax has not provided proof of verification despite my requests.

The account status has changed multiple times without notice or justification, violating 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( e ), which prohibits reinsertion of deleted information without notice.

4. XXXX XXXX Reported as Charge-Off XXXX XXXX account has been improperly listed as a charge-off without proper verification, causing material harm to my creditworthiness. 

According to 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ), furnishers of information must investigate and correct inaccuracies reported to credit bureaus. Equifaxs failure to remove this item after identity theft claims violates this.

5. XXXX Reported as Charge-Off This account continues to be re-aged by status switching during Equifaxs investigations , an illegal practice under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ). 

XXXX has provided no validation to Equifax ; yet, the information remains on my credit report causing ongoing harm. 



6. XXXX XXXXXXXX Reported as Charge-Off Despite being the smallest balance, this item remains on my report in derogatory status and has not been blocked or removed. 

XXXX refusal to act after identity theft claims is inconsistent with 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) and the FTCs guidelines on credit reporting and fraud prevention.

-- - Legal and Regulatory Violations : Failure to conduct reasonable investigation into disputed information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ).

Re-aging accounts during investigations, which violates 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) and constitutes misleading credit reporting.

Failure to block or remove identity theft-related fraudulent accounts as mandated under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) ( 3 ).

Violation of furnishers duty to investigate and correct inaccurate information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) ).

Reinsertion of deleted or disputed data without notice, prohibited by 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( e ).

CFPB has ongoing legal action against Equifax for similar violations ; my experience is clear proof Equifax continues to disregard these consumer protections.

-- - Demands : Immediate removal or permanent blocking of all fraud-related accounts listed above from my credit report.

Full and transparent written investigation results for each account per FCRA requirements within 30 days.

Confirmation that no further status switching or re-aging will occur during investigations or otherwise.

Assurance that Equifax will comply fully with federal law moving forward, or I will escalate this to legal proceedings.

-- - I respectfully request that the CFPB take swift enforcement action on this matter to protect consumers like myself from ongoing abuse and negligence by Equifax.

Thank you for your attention and assistance. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief