Consumer complaint received 2025-03-24 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Account information incorrect
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
Dear Credit Reporting Agency, I am writing to demand the immediate removal of certain items from my credit report that are inaccurate, unverifiable, and constitute a violation of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). Your actions, or lack thereof, in maintaining and reporting this erroneous information classify you as a debt collector engaging in interstate commerce, thereby subjecting you to scrutiny under these federal regulations. 
Violations and Disputed Items : UNAUTHORIZED ACCOUNTS : 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 Legal Basis for Removal : Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) Violations : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Credit reporting agencies must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates. You have failed to meet this standard by reporting inaccurate information on my credit report.

15 U.S.C. 1681i : If the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in a consumers file is disputed by the consumer, the agency shall reinvestigate free of charge and record the current status of the disputed information, or delete the item from the file in accordance with this section, before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the agency receives notice of the dispute from the consumer. I have provided notice, and you are obligated to resolve these issues promptly.

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 : Responsibilities of furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies.

Information provided must be accurate and complete. The erroneous information reported about my accounts violates this provision.

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) Violations : 15 U.S.C. 1692a ( 6 ) : Your actions in reporting and verifying these debts classify you as a debt collector. By engaging in interstate commerce and maintaining these inaccuracies, you are bound by FDCPA regulations.

15 U.S.C. 1692e : Prohibits false or misleading representations, including any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. Reporting these inaccurate accounts violates this provision.

15 U.S.C. 1692f : Prohibits the use of unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. The continued reporting of these items despite their inaccuracies and my disputes constitutes unfair practices.

Definitions and Explanations : Fraud : Fraud is the intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual. It involves false representation of a matter of factwhether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of what should have been disclosedthat deceives and is intended to deceive another so that the individual will act upon it to their legal injury.

Extortion : Extortion is defined as the practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats. It involves coercing an individual to provide money, property, or services by threatening violence, property damage, harm to reputation, or unfavorable government actions.

How You Are Committing Fraud and Extortion : Fraudulent Reporting : By knowingly maintaining and reporting inaccurate information, you are deceiving financial institutions, consumers, and other stakeholders. This results in consumers facing higher interest rates, denial of credit, and other financial hardships. The inaccuracies reported by you, whether through unauthorized inquiries or erroneous tradelines, are false representations that deceive creditors into making adverse decisions against consumers. This deception directly benefits you by perpetuating a cycle where consumers feel compelled to purchase credit monitoring services and other financial products.

Extortion Through Financial Pressure : Your refusal to correct these inaccuracies constitutes extortion. By maintaining false information on my credit report, you are leveraging this misinformation to exert undue financial pressure. This pressure forces consumers into resolving debts that may not even be valid, thereby coercing them into making payments or taking actions under duress. This is a clear violation of my rights and is a direct attempt to benefit financially from the distress caused to consumers.

Sources of Your Information : You acquire data from a variety of sources including : Creditors and Lenders : Banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders, and other financial institutions provide data on consumers credit accounts and payment histories.

Public Records : Information from public records, such as bankruptcy filings, tax liens, and court judgments.

Data Brokers : Data brokers compile and sell data from various sources, including surveys, online activities, and retail purchases.

Service Providers : Utility companies, rental agencies, and telecommunications companies may also provide data about consumers payment histories.

By obtaining and reporting this information without proper verification and failing to ensure its accuracy, you perpetuate the dissemination of fraudulent data, thus engaging in fraudulent reporting and extortion.

FTC Reports : The FTC reports I have attached are a result of your furnishing the listed accounts without my permission. I have not committed a fraudulent FTC report. These reports serve to document the unauthorized and unethical actions you have taken. It is both unethical and illegal for you to not accept and act upon my disputes in accordance with federal law.

Long-Term Impact : The continued presence of these inaccuracies on my credit report has caused and will continue to cause significant financial harm, including : Higher interest rates on loans and credit cards.

Denial of credit applications.

Damage to my credit score and financial reputation.

Increased financial stress and emotional distress.

Demands : 1. Immediate Deletion of Disputed Items : I demand the immediate deletion of the disputed items listed above. These items are either inaccurate, unverifiable, or invalidated and must be removed to comply with the FCRA and FDCPA.

2. Provision of Original Documentation : As required under 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( a ) ( 1 ) and 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), you must provide a copy of the original creditors documentation with my signature on it. Failure to do so constitutes a failure to verify the accuracy of the disputed information.

3. Method of Verification : You are required to provide the method of verification as per 15 U.S.C.

1681i ( a ) ( 7 ). This includes a detailed description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information.

Legal Notice : Failure to comply with these demands within 30 days of receipt of this letter will result in legal action seeking {$5000.00} per violation for : Defamation Negligent Enablement of Identity Fraud Violations of the FCRA Financial Injury Emotional Distress Violation of Privacy Rights Unfair Trade Practices Consumer Fraud Additionally, I will file formal complaints with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), and my State Attorney Generals office. I am prepared to take further actions including : Pursuing Legal Action : I will engage legal counsel to seek redress for the harm caused by your negligence and violations.

Public Disclosure : I will issue a public press release detailing your unlawful practices, which will be shared with major consumer advocacy groups and news outlets. 
Notifying Stakeholders : The details of this issue will be reported to the following organizations : CC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Director of Enforcement, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Attorney Generals Office XXXX XXXX XXXX State Senate Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Comptroller Of The Currency Federal Communications XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Sincerely,

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation