Consumer complaint received 2025-01-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Subject : DISPUTE OF CFPB EQUIFAX XXXX ORDER and Demand for Proper Investigation and Removal of Inaccurate Items, To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute multiple inaccuracies on my credit report and dispute of the Consent Order entered into between the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( `` CFPB '' ) and Equifax Information Services , LLC ( " Equifax '' XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. I believe these entries have not been properly investigated as required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), which mandates credit reporting agencies to conduct a reasonable investigation when a consumer disputes information and I believe the Consent Order, while addressing some critical issues, falls short of adequately addressing the severe harm caused by Equifax 's XXXX data breach and fails to provide sufficient consumer protections. Massive Breach : The XXXX Equifax data breach compromised the sensitive personal information of approximately XXXX XXXX Americans, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, and driver 's license information. XXXX. Data Breach Exposure : During the XXXX Equifax data breach, my sensitive personal information, including my Social Security number, date of birth, and address, was exposed to unauthorized parties. This exposure has created a significant risk of identity theft and fraud, severely impacting my financial well-being. 
XXXX. Impact of XXXX XXXX : Identity Theft : I have already experienced instances of identity theft, such as fraudulent credit card applications, loan applications, rental apartment applications and payments, auto loans and have found my information on the dark web. 
Credit Score Damage : The presence of fraudulent accounts and inquiries on my credit report has severely damaged my credit score, making it difficult to obtain loans, rent apartments, or secure favorable insurance rates. 
Emotional Distress : The constant fear of identity theft and the ongoing struggle to repair my credit have caused significant emotional distress and anxiety. 
XXXX. Violations of Consumer Protection Laws : Equifax 's actions and inactions in the wake of the data breach demonstrate a clear disregard for consumer protection laws, including : Failure to adequately protect consumer data : The data breach itself represents a serious failure on Equifax 's part to safeguard sensitive consumer information. 
Insufficient response to the data breach : Equifax 's response to the breach was inadequate, leaving consumers vulnerable to ongoing identity theft risks. 
Lack of transparency and communication : Equifax failed to adequately inform consumers about the breach and the potential risks involved. 
Systemic Failures : The breach exposed significant systemic failures within Equifax 's security infrastructure, including inadequate data encryption, outdated software, and a lack of proactive threat monitoring. 
Devastating Consequences : The breach resulted in widespread identity theft, fraud, and emotional distress for millions of consumers. 
Violations of Consumer Laws : The Consent Order acknowledges Equifax 's violations of several federal consumer protection laws, including : Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : Equifax failed to implement and maintain reasonable procedures to ensure the accuracy, fairness, and confidentiality of consumer information, as required by the FCRA.

Electronic Communications Privacy Act ( ECPA ) : Equifax failed to adequately safeguard sensitive consumer data, potentially violating the ECPA 's provisions regarding the privacy of electronic communications.

Federal Trade Commission Act ( FTC Act ) : Equifax engaged in unfair or deceptive acts or practices by failing to adequately protect consumer data and by potentially misleading consumers about the security of their information.

As you may be aware, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) has recently filed a lawsuit/consent order against Equifax for failing to conduct legitimate investigations into consumer disputes. This action reflects a concerning pattern of non-compliance and negligence, which directly undermines the integrity of the dispute process. 
Below is a list of the items I am disputing : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I demand that XXXX XXXX XXXX removed immediately, I also demand that Equifax take immediate action to address the following : Thorough investigation : Conduct a thorough investigation into the impact of the data breach on my specific account and identify any fraudulent activity. 
Credit report correction : Remove all inaccurate and fraudulent information from my credit report, unless you can provide clear, verifiable evidence that they were properly investigated and validated in accordance with federal law. Failure to comply with your obligations will be considered a direct violation of the FCRA, which provides consumers the right to accurate credit reporting and proper handling of disputes. 
Additionally, please be advised that I am prepared to take further legal action to enforce my rights under the FCRA. This may include filing complaints with the CFPB, the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and pursuing a lawsuit to seek damages for non-compliance. 
I expect your full cooperation in this matter and require written confirmation of the actions you have taken within 30 days of receipt of this letter. Failure to respond appropriately will leave me with no choice but to escalate this issue further. 
Enclosed, you will find copies of all relevant documentation to support my dispute. 
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief