Consumer complaint received 2025-03-01 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: IA

Complaint narrative:
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX To Consumer credit Company Re : Dispute of Fraudulent Accounts Identity Theft Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to formally submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) regarding XXXX fraudulent accounts that have been erroneously reported on my credit file, which I believe are the result of identity theft. These accounts are as follows : XXXX XXXX XXXX  Account number ( XXXX ) opened on XX/XX/XXXX Fraudulent Collections Account number ( XXXX ) opened on XX/XX/XXXX I have never opened nor authorized the creation of either of these accounts, and I strongly assert that they are a result of fraudulent activity under the provisions of the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act of 1998 ( 18 U.S.C. 1028 ) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ).

According to Section 605B of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), I am entitled to dispute fraudulent accounts that have been reported in error. As these accounts were not opened by me, and I did not authorize any transactions or credit requests associated with them, I demand immediate removal of these accounts from my credit report. Under the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, any use of my personal information to open these accounts constitutes identity theft. It is unlawful for the credit bureaus to report these fraudulent accounts under such circumstances, and the inclusion of these accounts on my report constitutes a violation of my consumer rights. 

Specifically, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) and Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) prohibit the reporting of fraudulent debts and ensure that credit bureaus and creditors are obligated to investigate and substantiate any alleged debt before reporting it. In accordance with FCRA 611, Discover can not provide any verified documentation that substantiates the legitimacy of the credit card account in question. Moreover, any attempt to verify these accounts by contacting the data furnishers is an unlawful investigation. This is because, as per FCRA 605B, the correct procedure for addressing a claim of identity theft is for the credit bureaus to reach out to the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) and not to the data furnishers. The failure to do so renders any investigation conducted by the credit bureaus to verify these accounts as unlawful and in violation of federal law. 

As a victim of identity theft, I am entitled to protections under federal law, including but not limited to the Right to Block Information Resulting from Identity Theft under Section 605A of the FCRA. I demand that the credit bureaus take immediate action to block these accounts from my credit report, as required by federal law. 

I hereby request that both the fraudulent XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX account and the fraudulent collection account be permanently removed from my credit file. I also request that you provide me with written confirmation that these accounts have been erased, as per your obligations under the FCRA and other applicable laws. 

Let me remind you that compliance with federal consumer protection laws is not optional. The failure to rectify these errors within the prescribed time frame of 30 days constitutes an additional violation of federal law and exposes the involved parties to further legal liability. 

Please consider this letter an official notice under the relevant consumer protection laws. If these errors are not corrected, I will not hesitate to pursue further legal action, including but not limited to filing complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and the XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX  ). I also reserve the right to seek judicial remedies for the damage these fraudulent accounts have caused to my creditworthiness. 

I expect your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to receiving written confirmation that these fraudulent accounts have been removed i am legally entitled to a response in 4 days of this message being received so attached is my ftc identity theft affidavit as clear evidence of identity theft Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief