Consumer complaint received 2025-02-11 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
Dispute of Unauthorized Reporting and Violation of Federal Law I am writing to formally dispute the accuracy and legality of the information being reported on my credit file. Specifically, I believe that certain information has been furnished and/or obtained without my written consent and in violation of several federal laws. This includes improper disclosure and reporting of information relating to a debt that has been written off by the creditor as a loss without complying with necessary tax reporting requirements. I am requesting an immediate investigation into this matter. 

1. Unauthorized Disclosure of Personal Information ( 15 USC 1681 ) : Under 15 USC 1681 ( Fair Credit Reporting Act, FCRA ), any disclosure of personal information from a credit report requires the express written consent of the consumer, unless a permissible purpose is established. I did not provide any written consent for any entity to obtain my credit information or report my information to your bureau. Therefore, I request that you investigate and remove any information that was obtained or shared without my consent or a lawful purpose. 

2. Permissible Purpose for Accessing Credit Report ( 15 USC 1681b ) : According to 15 USC 1681b, a third party must have a permissible purpose to access a consumers credit report. If my credit report has been accessed without my permission or for a reason that does not qualify under the permissible purposes listed in the law, this constitutes a violation of my rights under the FCRA. Please provide documentation of the legitimate purpose under which my credit file was accessed. 

3. Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) : Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), debt collectors and creditors must adhere to strict guidelines when collecting a debt. This includes not disclosing or sharing personal financial information unless there is a lawful basis to do so. If this debt is reported on my credit file without proper documentation, consent, or legal authority, it constitutes a violation of the FDCPA. I request that you confirm whether any creditor or debt collector involved with this account complied with all provisions of the FDCPA. 

4. Unauthorized Disclosure and Reporting of Nonpublic Personal Information ( 15 USC 6802 and 18 USC 1028A ) : Additionally, the unauthorized disclosure of my personal information is a violation of 15 USC 6802, which governs the sharing of nonpublic personal information by financial institutions. Furthermore, under 18 USC 1028A, the unlawful use or disclosure of personal identifying information can constitute a federal criminal offense. If my personal data has been shared or used without consent or lawful authority, these actions may be in violation of federal law.

5. Tax Write-off and Failure to Provide a 1099-C ( FCRA 623 / 15 USC 1681s-2 ) : Furthermore, if the company has written off this debt as a " profit loss '' and utilized it for tax purposes without issuing a 1099-C ( Cancellation of Debt form ) to me, this is a clear violation of tax reporting and the FCRA. 15 USC 1681s-2 outlines the responsibilities of furnishers of information to report accurate and complete information to credit reporting agencies. The failure to issue a 1099-C, if applicable, is another indication that the information on my credit report is being inaccurately reported.

6. ) 15 USC 1692C violating rights due to unlawful communications. 

I hereby request that you : Investigate the information being reported, particularly the debt in question, and provide a clear explanation of how my personal information was accessed, reported, or furnished. 
Remove any unauthorized or inaccurate information from my credit file. 
Provide proof that the creditor or debt collector properly issued a 1099-C for any debts written off as a loss. 
Ensure that any party accessing or furnishing my information complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including the FCRA, FDCPA, 15 USC 1681b, 15 USC 1681s-2, 15 USC 6802,18 USC 1028A and 15 USC 1692c Please investigate this matter and provide a response within 30 days as required by law. If this information is not corrected or removed, I will consider taking appropriate legal actions. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation