Consumer complaint received 2025-10-13 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
# FORMAL DISPUTE AND DEMAND FOR DELETION OF FRAUDULENT ACCOUNT * * DATE : * * [ Insert Todays Date ] * * TO : * * TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian Credit Reporting Agencies * * RE : * * Fraudulent Collection Account - XXXX XXXX XXXX * * AMOUNT : * * {$500.00} * * REPORTED DATE : * * XX/XX/year> -- -- - # # CERTIFIED DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE DELETION Dear Credit Reporting Agencies, I am writing to formally dispute and demand the immediate and permanent deletion of a fraudulent collection account placed on my credit reports by XXXX XXXX XXXX. This account is fraudulent, unauthorized, and in direct violation of my rights under federal consumer protection laws. 

# # STATEMENT OF FRAUD I am a victim of identity theft. My personal information was compromised in multiple data breaches, including : - * * XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX * * - * * Equifax Data Breach * * - * * TransUnion Data Breach * * I * * never * * authorized XXXX XXXX XXXX to report this account to my credit files. I did not provide written or verbal permission for this collection account, nor did I enter into any agreement that would result in this debt. This account is fraudulent and must be removed immediately. 

# # LEGAL VIOLATIONS AND DEMAND FOR DELETION This fraudulent account violates multiple federal consumer protection statutes : # # # 1. FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT ( FCRA ) VIOLATIONS * * 15 U.S.C. 1681b - Permissible Purposes of Consumer Reports * * XXXX XXXX XXXX had no permissible purpose to access or report information to my credit file without my authorization.

* * 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) ( 5 ) - Requirements Relating to Information Contained in Consumer Reports * * You are required to follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy. Reporting fraudulent information violates this mandate.

* * 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) - Procedure in Case of Disputed Accuracy * * Upon receipt of this dispute, you must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and delete any information that can not be verified as accurate and complete.

* * 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) - Accuracy of Report * * You must maintain strict procedures to ensure accuracy. Continuing to report fraudulent information after notification constitutes willful noncompliance.

# # # 2. FAIR AND ACCURATE CREDIT TRANSACTIONS ACT ( FACTA/FACTS ) VIOLATIONS * * 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 - Block of Information Resulting from Identity Theft * * As a victim of identity theft whose information was compromised in documented data breaches, I am entitled to have fraudulent information blocked from my credit reports within 4 business days of receiving proof of identity theft.

* * 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( a ) ( 1 ) - Identity Theft Prevention ; Fraud Alerts * * I request that you place an extended fraud alert on my credit file and provide me with free credit monitoring due to the data breaches affecting my personal information.

# # # 3. FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT ( FDCPA ) VIOLATIONS * * 15 U.S.C. 1692e - False or Misleading Representations * * XXXX XXXX XXXX has made false representations by reporting a fraudulent debt to the credit bureaus, which is a deceptive practice prohibited under the FDCPA.

* * 15 U.S.C. 1692f - Unfair Practices * * Attempting to collect on a fraudulent debt and reporting it to credit bureaus constitutes an unfair practice.

# # IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUIRED Pursuant to the laws cited above, I demand that you : 1. * * IMMEDIATELY DELETE * * this fraudulent collection account from my Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion credit reports 1. * * CEASE ALL REPORTING * * of this fraudulent account to any party 1. * * PROVIDE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION * * of the permanent deletion within 30 days of receipt of this letter 1. * * BLOCK THIS INFORMATION * * under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 as it resulted from identity theft 1. * * CONDUCT NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION * * as this is confirmed fraud, not a dispute of accuracy 1. * * NOTIFY XXXX XXXX XXXX * * that this account has been identified as fraudulent and must be closed immediately # # LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE Failure to delete this fraudulent account will be considered : - Willful noncompliance with the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n ), exposing you to actual damages, statutory damages of {$100.00} to {$1000.00} per violation, punitive damages, and attorneys fees - Negligent noncompliance with the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681o ), exposing you to actual damages and attorneys fees - Violation of the FACTA identity theft provisions, which carry additional penalties I will not hesitate to pursue all available legal remedies, including filing complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and my State Attorney Generals Office, as well as initiating private legal action.

# # SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Enclosed please find : - Copy of government-issued identification - Proof of address - Police report or Identity Theft Report ( if filed ) - FTC Identity Theft Affidavit # # RESPONSE REQUIRED I expect a written response within * * 30 days * * confirming the permanent deletion of this fraudulent account from all three credit bureaus. Send all correspondence to : XXXX XXXX. XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation