Consumer complaint received 2025-05-28 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: NY

Complaint narrative:
To the XXXX XXXX XXXX Department : I am writing to notify you that a XXXX XXXX account appearing on my credit report is fraudulent and to demand its immediate removal and the cessation of any reporting or collection activities related to it. The account number is XXXX ( ends in XXXX ), opened oXXXX XXXX XXXX, 2022, with a reported balance of {$480.00}. I have never opened a XXXX XXXX  account on that date or for that amount. This account was opened by an identity thief without my consent. I have attached an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report substantiating my status as a victim of identity theft and identifying this XXXX XXXX account as fraudulent. I am contacting you regarding a fraudulent XXXX account ( non-wireless services ) that is appearing on my credit report. The account number is XXXX ( ends in XXXX ), opened on XXXX XXXX, 2022, with a {$0.00} reported balance. This account, which I believe may pertain to XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, was opened without my knowledge or permission by an identity thief. I have attached an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report documenting the identity theft and listing this XXXX account as fraudulent. When I first discovered this fraudulent account, I took swift action through the credit bureaus by providing the identity theft documentation. In accordance with FCRA 605B, the credit bureaus blocked the XXXX XXXX account from my reports and notified XXXX that the information was a result of identity theft XXXX. The account was removed from my credit files. However, I was recently dismayed to find that the account has been re-reported by XXXX XXXX, causing it to reappear on my Equifax/XXXX reports . This is extremely troubling, as it violates the spirit and letter of the FCRAs identity theft provisions. XXXX XXXX is obligated under federal law to cease reporting fraudulent accounts once notified of the identity theft. The FCRA gives identity theft victims the right to have such information permanently blocked from their credit reports XXXX Unless XXXX has information suggesting my identity theft report was falsified ( and you do not, because my report and claims are true ), there is absolutely no permissible reason to continue furnishing this account data consumer.ftc.gov. Furthermore, no person or company should pursue a debt that stems from identity theft once they have been notified under 605B XXXX By re-reporting this account, XXXX XXXX is effectively treating the debt as valid, which it is not. I hereby demand that XXXX XXXX take the following actions immediately : Remove/Delete the fraudulent account ( XXXX ) from all credit reporting agencies. Contact Equifax, XXXX XXXX, etc., and ensure that this account is fully deleted and flagged as identity theft, not to be reported again. 
Cease all reporting of this account moving forward. Your systems should mark this account such that no further automatic credit reporting updates are sent. 
Do not engage in any collection activities on this account. If any collection agency or internal department is pursuing it, they must be informed that the account was opened via identity theft and is not collectible. Similarly, do not sell or transfer this account to any debt collector ( as doing so would violate FCRA and possibly state laws given the notice of identity theft XXXX ). 
Provide a written confirmation to me once the above steps are completed. This confirmation should state that XXXX XXXX has removed the account from my credit reports and notified the bureaus of the identity theft, and that the account is closed due to fraud with no liability to me. 
I expect XXXX XXXX to send this written confirmation within 30 days of receiving this notice. If this issue is not resolved for example, if the account remains on my credit report or I do not receive timely confirmation I will escalate my response. This will include filing complaints with the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). I am also prepared to consult legal counsel to enforce my rights under the FCRA and any other applicable laws. XXXX XXXX must appreciate the seriousness of identity theft and the importance of protecting consumers in such cases. Federal law requires that once an account is confirmed as fraudulent, it should not continue to haunt the victim through credit reporting XXXX. I trust that XXXX will correct this situation immediately. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter ; I look forward to receiving confirmation of the accounts removal and the end of any related reporting. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX Victim of Identity Theft Fraudulent XXXX XXXX Account # XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation