Consumer complaint received 2025-01-04 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
[ XXXX A XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX [ XXXX, Ga, XXXX ] [ XXXX ] [ XXXX ] [ XXXX ] Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Subject : Formal Complaint Against Equifax for Violations of the FCRA, FTC Regulations, Regulation Z, and the False Claims Act Dear Sir/Madam, I am compelled to submit this formal complaint against Equifax due to its ongoing and egregious mishandling of my credit file. Additionally, I strongly recommend that both the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) investigate Equifax 's practices for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), FTC regulations, Regulation Z, and the False Claims Act. 

Since XX/XX/year>, I have suffered a detrimental impact to my FICO score, which has decreased by XXXX points on XXXX separate occasions in a single month. This has occurred in the context of unauthorized and improper handling of disputes, particularly concerning the XXXX trade line, and indicates severe misconduct and noncompliance on the part of Equifax. 

The specific grievances are as follows : 1. **Unauthorized Opening of Disputes** : Equifax has initiated disputes on my credit report without my consent. This reflects a disregard for compliance with FCRA requirements and indicates potential violations of Regulation Z, which mandates clear procedures in consumer disclosures. 

2. **Improper Disputes During Investigation** : Equifax has updated unauthorized disputes with negative information mid-investigation, contrary to FCRA 611 ( a ). This reinforces suspicions of systematic failures in their obligations to maintain an accurate and fair credit reporting process.

3. **Resubmission of Negative Information** : The repeated removal and subsequent resubmission of negative information, generating recurring losses in my credit score, is deeply troubling. Such actions suggest a deliberate attempt to misrepresent my creditworthiness in violation of FTC regulations regarding the integrity of customer reports. 

XXXX. **Noncompliance with Verification Requests** : Even after my persistent requests, Equifax has failed to comply with providing a method of verification for the XXXX XXXX XXXX and for other trade lines such as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. These actions indicate an alarming trend of negligence in managing consumer credit files. 

Moreover, I must highlight the serious implications that these actions suggest regarding broader systemic violations : - **Violations of Regulation Z** : Equifax 's noncompliance may contribute to a pattern of financial misrepresentation, potentially impacting the terms and conditions of credit agreements and misleading consumers regarding their credit obligations.

- **False Claims Act Violations** : Equifaxs allowance of fraudulent reporting practices further suggests a complicity that may lead to defrauding the IRS and the federal government. This is evident in issues such as cell phone companies reporting fraudulent accounts and credit card companies inflating balances inaccurately. 

- **Abusive and Fraudulent Debt Collection Practices** : By permitting creditors to report accruing balances in minimal increments over extended periodsspecifically in 1-3 dollar increments monthlyEquifax has inadvertently supported a culture of abusive debt collection. This has allowed debt collectors to leverage fraudulent accounts and engage in hostile collection tactics, which further violates consumer protection laws and regulations.

Given the serious nature of these infringements, I insist that the CFPB and FTC conduct a thorough investigation into Equifax 's practices. It is crucial for the protection of consumer rights and fair credit reporting that entities like Equifax are held accountable for their actions, especially when they perpetuate fraud, abuse, and financial misrepresentation. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this serious matter. I look forward to your prompt response and the necessary actions that should be taken to uphold consumer rights and integrity in credit reporting. 

Sincerely, [ XXXX XXXX XXXX ]

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation