Consumer complaint received 2025-03-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX Date : XX/XX/year> Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Subject : Formal Complaint Against Equifax for Failure to Address Fraudulent Account Following FTC Report Submission Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to file a formal complaint against Equifax for their failure to take appropriate action in addressing a fraudulent account on my credit report, despite providing a valid FTC Identity Theft Report ( Report # XXXX ) to their Legal Department. My efforts to resolve this matter have been met with a " shameful '' investigation and continued failure to remove the fraudulent entry that is negatively affecting my credit score. 
On [ Date of FTC Report ], I filed an FTC Identity Theft Report, Report # XXXX, due to identity theft and fraud. I immediately submitted this report to Equifax, expecting them to take the required actions to investigate and remove any fraudulent accounts from my credit report in compliance with U.S. consumer protection laws. However, despite this, I received no meaningful resolution from Equifaxs Legal Department and was instead subjected to further delay and inadequate handling of my case. 
The presence of this fraudulent account is causing significant financial harm and is a violation of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and other relevant consumer protection laws. I am therefore demanding that Equifax : 1. Immediately remove the fraudulent account from my credit report ; 2. Confirm in writing that this fraudulent account will never be reported on my credit report again ; and XXXX. Provide documentation of the steps taken to remove the account and ensure this error will not be repeated. 
Relevant U.S. Codes and Consumer Laws : 1. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ) This law mandates that credit reporting agencies, including Equifax, must provide accurate information and promptly correct any inaccuracies, including fraudulent accounts reported due to identity theft. Under FCRA Section 1681i, Equifax is required to investigate disputes, remove inaccuracies, and notify consumers of the outcome.

2. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ) This act restricts debt collectors from using unfair or deceptive practices to collect debts, including the collection of fraudulent debts. If an account listed on my report is the result of fraud, Equifax must take action to remove it and cease any attempt to report it.

3. Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act ( ITADA ) ( 18 U.S.C. 1028 ) This law makes it a federal offense to knowingly use another individuals identity to commit fraud, and it provides procedures for victims of identity theft to report the crime and seek remediation. Equifax, as a credit reporting agency, is required to investigate identity theft claims and remove fraudulent data.

4. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 6801 et seq. ) Under this act, financial institutions and credit agencies are required to protect consumers ' personal information and ensure that they have robust safeguards in place to prevent misuse or unauthorized sharing of personal data. Equifaxs failure to act on my identity theft report demonstrates a potential violation of this requirement. 
XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and Consumer Protection Act ( 12 U.S.C. 5301 et seq. ) This act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), whose role is to oversee and ensure that financial institutions, including credit reporting agencies, comply with consumer protection laws. I am requesting that the CFPB investigate Equifaxs failure to address this fraudulent account in compliance with the law.

Request for Immediate Action : Due to the ongoing financial harm and the violation of my rights under these laws, I am requesting the CFPB 's immediate intervention to ensure that Equifax : 1. Immediately removes the fraudulent account from my credit report. 
2. Ensures that the fraudulent account is never reported again under any circumstances. 
XXXX. Notifies me in writing of the actions taken to resolve this issue, including a confirmation that this fraudulent information will not reappear. 
If Equifax does not take corrective action and remove this fraudulent account from my credit report, I will be forced to pursue legal action, including filing complaints with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), State Attorneys General, and potentially filing a lawsuit for damages under the FCRA and other applicable laws. 
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that with your assistance, this issue can be resolved swiftly and justly. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief