Consumer complaint received 2025-12-26 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Personal information incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding unauthorized credit inquiries, personal information i.e. Name, Date of Birth, Telephone numbers and correct spelling of name and the improper use of my addresses by Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, which have violated both my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and my protections as a survivor under the Violence Against Women Act ( VAWA ). 

I am currently enrolled in a XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX under the State of Maryland / VAWA-protected program, which legally requires my residential information to remain confidential. Despite this protection, my previous addresses including those not authorized for disclosure have been used without my consent in credit reporting and credit inquiries. This has led to : Unauthorized access to my credit information via hard inquiries using addresses not authorized by me. 

Potential discrimination and exposure to risk, as my confidential address under VAWA may have been compromised. 

Incorrect and misleading information on my credit report does not reflect my current and legally protected living situation. 

I respectfully request the following corrective actions : Immediate removal of all addresses on my credit file that are not my XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX address. 

Immediate removal of all names on my credit file that are not my XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX name as listed : XXXX XXXX. 

Immediate removal of any date of birth ( XXXX ) on my credit file that aside from my XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX personal information. 

Update all credit files to reflect only my XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX / VAWA-protected address. ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, MD. XXXX ) Removal of all hard inquiries from the past 18 months that were conducted using any unauthorized address. 

Confirmation in writing that my protected address has been applied to all current and future accounts and that all previous addresses have been expunged. 

Assurance that any future inquiries or reporting will comply with VAWA confidentiality requirements. 

Legal Basis for My Request : FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( f ) ) : Only authorized inquiries may be conducted ; any unauthorized access must be removed. 

VAWA ( 34 U.S.C. 12291 ( b ) ( 2 ) ( B ) ) : Requires the confidentiality of a survivors address and protection from disclosure. 

I trust the CFPB will take this matter seriously, as failure to comply with these federal protections not only harms me personally but may also constitute a violation of federal law by the reporting agencies. I request that this complaint be investigated promptly and that corrective actions be enforced with each bureau. 

Thank you for your time, attention, and dedication to protecting consumers and survivors. I am available to provide any documentation necessary to verify my protected status and confirm the unauthorized use of my address. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MD. XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation