Consumer complaint received 2025-10-28 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: OH

Complaint narrative:
Consumer Name : ( XXXX XXXX ), Consumer Social Security Number : ( XXXX ), Consumer Date of Birth : ( XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  ), Contents of Complaint : This CFPB complaint has been filed to request pursuant to FCRA 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) that you, the TransUnion, Experian, Equifax credit reporting agency , block information appearing on my consumer credit report that is the result of identity theft and fraud within 4 business days of you receiving this complaint. This fraudulent, inaccurate, and false information consists of a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX bal. {$0.00} XXXX 

I am filing this complaint due to serious concerns regarding the mismanagement of my student loans, which have been compounded by the Department of Education 's recent data breach. As a borrower, I trusted the federal student loan system to safeguard my personal and financial information. The breach not only compromised that trust but has left borrowers like myself more vulnerable to identity theft, loan errors, and financial instability. In addition, these loans are significantly impacting my ability to move forward in life, particularly when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage. Despite maintaining stable employment and working to improve my credit, my student loan debt continues to be a major barrier. Mortgage lenders have denied me financing due to my student loan balance and the inconsistent reporting by loan servicers. This debt is not only financially crippling, but it is also emotionally draining and preventing me from building a stable future for myself and my family. One major issue I experienced was being automatically opted into receiving loan communications via email instead of paper mail, without my knowledge or consent. As a result, I missed critical updates regarding repayment deadlines, status changes, and servicer updates. This lack of communication caused me to fall behind unintentionally and created confusion around the status of my loans. I never agreed to go paperless, and had I received proper mailed notices, I would have been in a better position to stay informed and avoid unnecessary penalties or credit damage. Ive also dealt with poor communication, misleading guidance, and inconsistent servicing including multiple servicer transfers where essential documentation was lost or delayed. Ive been placed in forbearance or deferment unnecessarily, and my requests for repayment plan adjustments or accurate reporting have been mishandled or ignored. The cumulative result has been long-term damage to my credit, financial well-being, and homeownership goals. Given the Department of Educations failure to protect borrower data, the mishandling of loan servicing, and the harm caused by communication failures, I am formally requesting an investigation into my account and a reconsideration of the legitimacy and enforceability of these loans. I believe loan discharge, forgiveness, or another form of relief is justified based on the misconduct and the substantial harm Ive endured. I respectfully ask that the CFPB advocate for borrowers affected by these systemic failures and hold loan servicers accountable for the barriers they continue to impose on responsible, hard-working individuals like myself. 
These accounts have resulted in several fraudulent hard inquiries and fraudulent collections appearing on my consumer FICO credit report. I've attached a list of the hard inquiries in question as well as a copy of the consumer FICO credit report maintained by you which shows the aforementioned fraudulent items. I do not recognize the aforementioned accounts, collections, or hard inquiries as reported. The aforementioned accounts, collections, and hard inquiries appearing on my consumer credit report maintained by you were not opened, made, or initiated by me. All of the aforementioned accounts, collections, and hard inquiries are the result of identity theft and fraud. I have attached a copy of FTC Identity Theft Criminal Complaint # ( private case number ) as proof from the US Federal Trade Commission that all of the aforementioned consumer credit accounts, collections, and hard inquiries are the result of identity theft and fraud.

I am writing to formally dispute inaccuracies on my credit report that have resulted from a data breach, as detailed in the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and other consumer protection laws. In accordance with my rights under Section 609 of the FCRA, I am requesting a thorough investigation into the items listed below.

I believe that the following information on my credit report is inaccurate due to unauthorized access : Due to the recent data breach affecting my personal information, I am concerned that my credit report may contain unauthorized and fraudulent entries that could damage my creditworthiness. The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act ( 18 U.S.C. 1028 ) gives me the right to dispute information I believe is the result of identity theft, and I would like to assert this right. 

I kindly request that you conduct a comprehensive investigation in accordance with Section 611 of the FCRA, which mandates that you must investigate my dispute within 30 days. Additionally, I expect to receive written verification of the findings of your investigation and, if applicable, an updated copy of my credit report.

Enclosed are copies of my identification, proof of residence, and any other supporting documentation demonstrating my claim. I have also included a copy of my credit report for your review.

Please address this matter with the urgency it requires, as the inaccuracies on my credit report could significantly impact my financial health. Should you require any additional information or documentation, do not hesitate to reach out to me at the contact details provided above. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 

This request is made in accordance with several provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : 1. * * 15 USC 1681c-2 ( a ) * * : This statute requires consumer reporting agencies to block information resulting from identity theft. I request that all accounts fraudulently opened in my name be blocked immediately.

2. * * 15 USC 1681i * * : Under this section, I am entitled to dispute and request the deletion of any inaccurate or unverifiable information on my credit report. Please investigate and delete any such information linked to this breach.

3. * * 15 USC 1681e ( b ) * * : This provision mandates that consumer reporting agencies maintain reasonable procedures to ensure the accuracy of information. Given the breach, I request a thorough review of my credit report to identify and rectify any inaccuracies.

4. * * 15 USC 1681g ( a ) * * : I request access to my complete consumer report, as I have the right to understand what information is being reported and to identify potential inaccuracies resulting from this breach.

5. * * 15 USC 1681m * * : As required by this statute, please ensure that any negative information resulting from the breach is not reported inappropriately.

6. * * 15 USC 1681n * * : I reserve the right to seek damages for any violations of the FCRA resulting from this breach, should you fail to comply with my requests.

Please confirm the receipt of this letter and provide written confirmation of the actions taken regarding my accounts. 

Additionally, I would appreciate an update on any measures you are implementing to protect my personal information. 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your immediate response in 4 days.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation