Consumer complaint received 2024-12-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: AL

Complaint narrative:
Equifax , Inc . 
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 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX Chief Information Security XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Chief Data and Analytics XXXX Equifax XXXX Department XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Equifax , Inc . 
XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Subject : Formal Demand for Immediate Resolution of Consumer Disputes and Notice of Violations of Consumer Protection Laws Dear XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and Equifax XXXX, Compliance, and Legal Executives, Subject : Formal Demand for Immediate Resolution of Consumer Disputes and Notice of Violations of Consumer Protection Laws 10777175.1.6-15 Dear XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and the Executives of Equifax XXXX XXXX XXXX, and Legal Departments, Attn : All department heads that listed above will be addressed in my legal proceedings for willful negligence pertaining to my claims. My financial life is in ruins over equifax blatant disregard for me or my financial well being. 
1.The following personal information is incorrect. 
Addresses : XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX  XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX following personal information is incorrect. Addresses : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX following personal information is incorrect. Addresses : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX following personal information is incorrect. Addresses : XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX following personal information is incorrect. Addresses : XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX following personal information is incorrect. Addresses : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX following personal information is incorrect. Addresses : XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX following personal information is incorrect. Addresses : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 

XXXX XXXX following personal information is incorrect. Addresses : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX. Account involved in litigation " an incorrect high balance '' an inaccurate date of last activity " REAGED ACCOUNTS '' " Reinsertion WITHOUT PROPER NOTICE '' an undated late pay a charge off listed as open a collection account with a limit. 
US DEPARTMENT OF EDU Account Number : XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
11. Account involved in litigation " an incorrect high balance '' an inaccurate date of last activity " REAGED ACCOUNTS '' " Reinsertion WITHOUT PROPER NOTICE '' an undated late pay a charge off listed as open a collection account with a limit.

US DEPARTMENT OF EDU Account Number : XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
12. Account involved in litigation " an incorrect high balance '' an inaccurate date of last activity " REAGED ACCOUNTS '' " Reinsertion WITHOUT PROPER NOTICE '' an undated late pay a charge off listed as open a collection account with a limit. XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX. Account involved in litigation " an incorrect high balance '' an inaccurate date of last activity " REAGED ACCOUNTS '' " Reinsertion WITHOUT PROPER NOTICE '' an undated late pay a charge off listed as open a collection account with a limit. XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX inquiry was not authorized. XXXX XXXX Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX inquiry was not authorized. XXXX XXXX VIA DEALER XXXX Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX inquiry was not authorized. XXXX  XXXX  XXXX Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX inquiry was not authorized. XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX inquiry was not authorized. XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX inquiry was not authorized. XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX inquiry was not authorized. XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX inquiry was not authorized. XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Please remove it from my credit report. 
XXXX inquiry was not authorized. XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date of inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Please remove it from my credit report XXXX I am writing this formal letter to demand immediate resolution to my disputes regarding inaccurate, fraudulent, and harmful information reported by Equifax on my credit file. Despite multiple attempts to address these issues, Equifax has failed to provide adequate responses, thereby exacerbating my financial distress and causing significant harm to my ability to obtain essential credit, including the purchase of a home. This letter is being submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and my State Attorney General for formal review. I require your written response within four ( 4 ) business days from the receipt of this letter. Failure to respond will result in further legal actions. 
Documenting XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax has demonstrated gross negligence and blatant violations of numerous consumer protection laws, including but not limited to : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Accuracy of Reports Equifax has failed to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of the information in my credit file. The continued reporting of fraudulent accounts that were not authorized by me constitutes a willful violation of this section. 
1. FairCreditReportingAct ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681i : Reinvestigation of Disputed Information Equifax has ignored my repeated disputes and failed to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation or provide written results within the legally mandated timeframe of 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 : Block of Information Resulting from Identity Theft ( Section 605B ) Equifax has failed to honor my written request to block fraudulent information under this provision, despite providing evidence of identity theft. 
Equifax has allowed the continued reporting of debts that have not been validated and have no basis in reality. This constitutes a violation of my rights as a consumer under the FDCPA. 
XXXX. XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX practices are in violation of Section XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) ( A ) of the XXXX, which prohibits unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices. XXXX. Federal Trade Commission XXXX ( FTC XXXX ) XXXX. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) Equifaxs failure to safeguard my personal information and rectify its errors violates Section XXXX ( a ), which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts affecting commerce. 
XXXX. XXXX ( XXXX ) : The breach exposed the sensitive personal data of over XXXX XXXX consumers, violating their privacy rights and trust. Despite legal settlements, Equifax has continued to demonstrate an inability to handle sensitive information responsibly. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX negligence has been well-documented in multiple court cases and public reports : 2. Recent Legal Violations and Settlements : Equifax v. FTC ( 2019 ) : Settled for {$700.00} million for failing to protect Clark v. Equifax ( 2021 ) : Found liable for failing to investigate and resolve consumer disputes effectively.

consumer data.

Failure to Respond and Continuous Stalling Equifax has failed to provide any timely or adequate written explanations for its actions, as required under federal law. Additionally, Equifax has repeatedly used stalling tactics by requesting redundant identity verification, despite being provided with : A government-issued drivers license Social Security card Utility bill As such, I am including these documents again for your reference. You are legally bound to accept these materials and proceed with the correction of my file without further delays. Any additional demands for identity verification will be considered a deliberate attempt to obstruct the resolution process. 
Violations and Legal Precedents 1. Failure to Conduct Reasonable Reinvestigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ) : Despite my repeated disputes, XXXX has failed to conduct a reasonable 10777175.1.10-15 10777175.1.11-15 reinvestigation of the inaccurate and fraudulent accounts reported on my credit file.

Your reliance on automated systems, such as e-OSCAR, fails to meet the statutory requirement of a thorough and reasonable investigation.

2. Failure to Block Fraudulent Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) : Upon receipt of my dispute, proof of identity, and documentation ( including a police report ), you were required to block the fraudulent information within four ( 4 ) business days. XXXX failure to comply with this timeline is a direct violation of the statute. 
3.Failure to Ensure Maximum Possible Accuracy ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) : Experian is mandated to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of consumer reports. The continued reporting of erroneous and fraudulent accounts demonstrates a flagrant disregard for this legal obligation.

4. Failure to Respond to Consumer Complaints : Experians refusal to respond to my disputes within the legally mandated timeframes under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) has caused severe financial harm, including loss of access to credit and the inability to secure housing. 
5. Failure to Block Fraudulent Accounts Pursuant to 605B : My client submitted a valid and substantiated request to block fraudulent accounts under 605B. 
XXXX failed to fulfill this mandatory duty, leaving harmful and erroneous accounts on my client 's credit report. 
6.Failure to Respond to Disputes in a Timely Manner ( 1681i ) : Despite the FCRA 's requirement that disputes be resolved within 30 days ( or 45 days if supplementary information is provided ), XXXX failed XXXX address my client 's initial dispute within 10777175.1.12-15 the statutory timeframe.

7. Failure to Remove Unauthorized Inquiries ( 1681b ) : Unauthorized credit inquiries remain on my client 's credit report despite repeated disputes. These inquiries were neither authorized nor initiated by my client.

8.. Reinsertion of Previously Disputed Items Without Notice ( 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ) : XXXX improperly reinserted previously disputed items into my client 's credit file without providing the requisite written notice. This constitutes a clear violation of the FCRA. 
9.Failure to Maintain Reasonable Procedures to Ensure Accuracy ( 1681e ( b ) ) : XXXX failed to implement reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy of information in my client 's credit file, leading to Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : Sections 605B, 611, and 623.

Failing to address disputes in a timely manner.

Failing to block fraudulent information after identity theft claims. Violations of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ( FACTA ) : Data breaches compromising consumer information.

Violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( FTC Act ) : Engaging in unfair and deceptive practices.

Legal Notice of Cease-and-Desist and Arbitration Opt-Out I hereby demand that Equifax immediately cease and desist from reporting all fraudulent accounts. Any accounts included in my dispute lack my written or wet ink signature and are fraudulent in nature. Furthermore, I have opted out of XXXX arbitration agreement, and I am no longer subject to its terms or demands. Any attempts to enforce arbitration will be met with legal action. 
My Demands 1. Immediate Resolution : Correct or delete the disputed information within four ( 4 ) business days of receiving this letter.

10777175.1.13-15 2. Written Confirmation : Provide a comprehensive, detailed explanation of the investigations outcome in writing. I will not accept automated or electronic responses.

3. Compliance with the Law : Adhere to all federal and state consumer protection laws, including Section 605B of the FCRA. 
Notice of Legal Action Equifaxs repeated violations of my consumer rights and failure to respond adequately provide me with grounds to sue under the FCRA, FDCPA, CFPA, and other applicable statutes. If these issues are not resolved within the specified timeframe, I will pursue all available legal remedies, including filing a lawsuit for damages caused by your negligence. 
I expect immediate and complete action from Equifax. Continued non-compliance will not be tolerated. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, AL XXXX XXXX : XXXX SSN : XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief