Consumer complaint received 2024-02-02 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
After repeating countless times of requesting compliance with integrity for the accuracy in reports this letter will also serve as a definitive demand for immediate cessation of unauthorized information sharing and legal implications. 

I am compelled to address an issue of profound concern regarding the unwarranted dissemination of my confidential information by Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX, esteemed entities recognized as consumer reporting agencies under the aegis of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). The ensuing elucidation articulates the intricacies of the infractions, delineates their legal implications, and unequivocally authorizes the enforcement of the stated claims : I recommend reading the ENTIRE act as it will only help your understanding because it seems from past attempts the nationwide reporting agencies seem to be incompetent of the policies that govern their industry 15 U.S. Code 1681 - Congressional findings and statement of purpose a ) Accuracy and fairness of credit reporting The Congress makes the following findings : ( 4 ) There is a need to ensure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumers right to privacy. 
( b ) Reasonable procedures It is the purpose of this subchapter to require that consumer reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter. 
As you can see there is a NEED to protect the consumer right to privacy. 
Important Definitions from 15 U.S. Code 1681a -Definitions ; rules of construction The term consumer reporting agency means any person which, for monetary fees, dues, or on a cooperative nonprofit basis, regularly engages in whole or in part in the practice of assembling or evaluating consumer credit information or other information on consumers for the purpose of furnishing consumer reports to third parties, and which uses any means or facility of interstate commerce for the purpose of preparing or furnishing consumer reports. 
The term consumer means an individual. 
The term consumer report means any written, oral, or other communication of any information by a consumer reporting agency bearing on a consumers credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living ( 2 ) Exclusions ( A ) ( i ) report containing information solely as to transactions or experiences between the consumer and the person making the report ; Reporting Transaction history is illegal 15 U.S. Code 1681b - Permissible purposes of consumer reports Subject to subsection ( c ), any consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report under the following circumstances and no other ( 2 ) In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates.

They need written consent to add anything to a consumer report if consumer did not give this authorization that is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act P.L 90-321 ( 82 Stat. 146 ) which is law that directly relates and supports the code is even stricter as it states that any agency can only get consumer report in response to a request by the head of a State or local child support enforcement agency ( or a State or local government official authorized by the head of such an agency ) 15 U.S. Code 1681c - Requirements relating to information contained in consumer reports Except as authorized under subsection ( b ), no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any of the following items of information : Any other adverse item of information, other than records of convictions of crimes which antedates the report by more than seven years. 
No adverse item besides the conviction of crimes should be on your report any item that is a derogatory mark is not allowed into consumer reports this is another violation 12 CFR 1022.3 Definitions Identity theft means a fraud committed or attempted using the identifying information of another person without authority. 
Anything added to consumer report without their written consent could be considered Identity theft 15 U.S. Code 1681c2 - Block of information resulting from identity theft Except as otherwise provided in this section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer.

( This report includes more than 1 of the receipts stated above, providing right of effectiveness from basis of claims ) 15 U.S. Code 1681e - Compliance procedures ( a ) Identity and purposes of credit users Every consumer reporting agency shall maintain reasonable procedures designed to avoid violations of section 1681c of this title and to limit the furnishing of consumer reports to the purposes listed under section 1681b of this title. These procedures shall require that prospective users of the information identify themselves, certify the purposes for which the information is sought, and certify that the information will be used for no other purpose. Every consumer reporting agency shall make a reasonable effort to verify the identity of a new prospective user and the uses certified by such prospective user prior to furnishing such user a consumer report. No consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report to any person if it has reasonable grounds for believing that the consumer report will not be used for a purpose listed in section 1681b of this title.

( b ) Accuracy of report Whenever a consumer reporting agency prepares a consumer report it shall follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates.

By violating section 1681b for permissible purpose and 1681c for information contained in consumer reports they are also violating compliance procedures under this title.

15 U.S. Code 1681n - Civil liability for willful noncompliance ( a ) In general Any person who willfully fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this subchapter with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of ( A ) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or damages of not less than {$100.00} and not more than {$1000.00} ; or ( B ) in the case of liability of a natural person for obtaining a consumer report under false pretenses or knowingly without a permissible purpose, actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or {$1000.00}, whichever is greater ; Following the last complaint, this letter provides determination of exercising protection and rights of a consumer credit report. This being 1 of many complaints in regards to the same disputes challenged, willful noncompliance is evidently displayed as the reporting agencies were made aware of and had a full understanding of the violations after the 1st initial complaint providing basis of claims of the reporting agencies willfully violated the act in which the consumers are entitled to at least XXXX $ per violation plus any other damages the consumer have sustained as a result of their failure to follow the law.

15 U.S. Code 1681s2 - Responsibilities of furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies ( 1 ) Prohibition ( A ) Reporting information with actual knowledge of errors A person shall not furnish any information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate. 
( B ) Reporting information after notice and confirmation of errors A person shall not furnish information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if ( i ) the person has been notified by the consumer, at the address specified by the person for such notices, that specific information is inaccurate; and ( ii ) the information is, in fact, inaccurate. 
Once you notify the consumer agencies that there is inaccurate information they must immediately stop reporting that information until they can prove that it is valid. 
Those are a few violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act that you can use in your complaint against not only the reporting agencies but the furnisher of that information to them.

Privacy Act of 1974 ( 5 U.S. Code 552a ) Important Definitions ( 4 ) the term record means any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual that is maintained by an agency, including, but not limited to, his education, financial transactions, medical history, and criminal or employment history and that contains his name, or the identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual, such as a finger or voice print or a photograph ; This includes consumer reports ( b ) Conditions of Disclosure.No agency shall disclose any record which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains, unless disclosure of the record would be ( 12 ) to a consumer reporting agency in accordance with section 3711 ( e ) of title 31.

Again they need prior written instruction of the individual to whom it relates.

Section 3711 ( e ) of title 31States ( 1 ) When trying to collect a claim of the Government under a law except the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 ( 26 U.S.C. 1etseq. ), the head of an executive, judicial, or legislative agency shall disclose to a consumer reporting agency information from a system of records that a person is responsible for a claim if ( E ) the head of the agency has established procedures to ( iii ) get satisfactory assurances from each consumer reporting agency that the agency is complying with all laws of the United States related to providing consumer credit information ; and Either way they have violated not only the Fair Credit Reporting Act but also the Privacy Act of 1974 Disclaimer : Furthermore, it is imperative to note that this identical complaint was formally submitted over 30 days ago. This temporal context serves as a basis for claims indicating that these companies are knowingly and willfully engaging in acts with a flagrant disregard for violating policies. Such practices are subjected to punitive measures, the results from the investigation displaying inconsistent reports between all 3 reporting agencies provide evidential basis of claims displaying violations in regards to The Fair Credit Reporting Act, a financial penalty of {$1000.00} per FCRA violation is justifiable, considering the tangible and intangible damages suffered by the aggrieved consumer. 

This correspondence serves not only as an expression of concern but as a legally binding assertion of my rights and expectations. I hereby authorize and affirm the enforceability of all stated claims. I anticipate your immediate attention to this matter and a comprehensive rectification of the aforementioned infractions within its legally authorized time frame.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief