Consumer complaint received 2025-03-14 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing a formal complaint against TransUnion for failing to block and remove fraudulent accounts from my credit report despite my legitimate request under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). I am a victim of identity theft. Upon reviewing my credit reports in XX/XX/XXXX, I discovered two major derogatory entries that do not belong to me : a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account and a U.S. Bankruptcy record. These fraudulent entries resulted from someone unlawfully using my personal information. I promptly took action by submitting identity theft documentation to TransUnion and requesting that these bogus accounts be blocked and removed from my file. TransUnion, however, has refused to comply with its legal obligations, leaving these damaging items on my credit report. 
FCRA Requirements for Blocking Fraudulent Accounts The FCRA provides clear protections for identity theft victims in my situation. FCRA Section 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) mandates that a credit reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in a consumers file that resulted from identity theft within 4 business days of receiving the consumers request 15 U.S. Code 1681c2 - Block of information resulting from identity theft | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute . This block must be performed once the consumer provides the required documentation, which includes : ( 1 ) proof of the consumers identity, ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ( such as a police report or FTC identity theft affidavit ), ( 3 ) identification of the fraudulent information, and ( 4 ) a statement from the consumer that the information is not theirs 15 U.S. Code 1681c2 - Block of information resulting from identity theft | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute. I have fully complied with these requirements. In early XX/XX/XXXX, I sent TransUnion : Proof of my identity ( copies of my drivers license and Social Security card ). 
Identity theft reports, including an official police report ( XXXXXXXX Police Dept., dated XX/XX/XXXX ) and an FTC Identity Theft Affidavit, documenting the fraud. 
Identification of the fraudulent accounts I specifically identified the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account and the U.S. Bankruptcy record on my credit report as fraudulent and not initiated by me. 
A sworn statement declaring that these accounts were opened/recorded without my knowledge or consent and do not relate to any transaction of mine. 
Under the FCRA, TransUnion was legally required to block the reporting of these fraudulent items within four business days of receiving my documentation 15 U.S. Code 1681c2 - Block of information resulting from identity theft. It is now well beyond that timeframe, yet the accounts remain on my credit file. TransUnions failure to act is a clear violation of the FCRA and of my rights as an identity theft victim. 
Fraudulent Accounts in Question The fraudulent entries that remain on my TransUnion credit report, and which I have repeatedly asked to be removed, are : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account : This is a credit account opened by the identity thief in my name. I have never held any account with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. The account was opened around XXXX ( according to the identity theft report ) and has an outstanding balance of several thousand dollars that the thief incurred. This account is entirely fraudulent and has no connection to any credit or loan I have legitimately obtained. 
U.S. Bankruptcy Public Record : My TransUnion report reflects a bankruptcy filing ( reportedly filed in California ) under my identity. I have never filed for bankruptcy in any state. This public record is the result of identity theft or a clerical error linking another individuals bankruptcy to my report. Its presence on my credit file is entirely due to fraud and is completely false. 
Both of these items are not mine and resulted from crimes committed by others. I provided TransUnion with proof of these facts ( via police report and FTC affidavit ). There is no ambiguity that these accounts are fraudulent. They meet all criteria for immediate blocking and removal under FCRA Section 605B, yet TransUnion has left them on my report, severely damaging my credit standing. 
TransUnions Non-Compliance and Misrepresentation TransUnion has not only failed to block these fraudulent accounts but has also misrepresented material facts in the process. After I submitted my block request with all proper documentation, TransUnion responded by falsely claiming that my request was made in error. In other words, TransUnion has insinuated that there was some mistake or that my identity theft claim was erroneous a blatantly untrue claim. There was no error in my request ; it was a valid, lawfully executed request to remove information that was the result of identity theft. 
By labeling my legitimate request as an error, TransUnion is improperly invoking the narrow exceptions allowed by the FCRA to avoid blocking information. Under FCRA Section 605B ( c ) ( 1 ), a consumer reporting agency may only decline or rescind a block request if it reasonably determines that the request was made in error or that the request was based on a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer 15 U.S. Code 1681c2 - Block of information resulting from identity theft. Neither of these conditions is true in my case. I provided truthful, comprehensive evidence of identity theft. There is no misrepresentation on my part and no error in identifying the fraudulent accounts. TransUnions statement to the contrary is itself a falsehood and a misrepresentation of the situation.

TransUnions misrepresentation is extremely concerning. It suggests that TransUnion is willfully disregarding the facts and the law. By falsely claiming my block request was made in error, TransUnion has effectively denied me the very protection that Congress put in place for identity theft victims. This bad-faith excuse to ignore a valid identity theft claim is unacceptable. TransUnions failure to comply with the FCRA and its dishonest rationale for doing so demonstrate a willful violation of federal law and a breach of trust with the consumer.

Financial Harm Caused to Me TransUnions refusal to remove these fraudulent accounts has caused significant financial harm and personal distress. Because of the presence of a fake XXXX XXXX delinquency and a false bankruptcy on my credit report : My credit score has plummeted. Before this identity theft appeared, I had a strong credit history. Now, with a bogus bankruptcy and fraudulent debt on my report, my FICO score has dropped by well over 100 points ( e.g., from the XXXX to the low XXXX ). This drastic decline is solely due to the fraudulent information that TransUnion refuses to remove. 
I have been denied credit opportunities. I have already experienced multiple credit denials as a direct result of these false items. For example, a credit card application was rejected in XX/XX/XXXX because TransUnion reported a recent bankruptcy on my file. Additionally, I was denied a car loan I applied for, as the lenders decision was adversely affected by the severe derogatory marks on my TransUnion report. These denials are documented and coincide with creditors referencing my TransUnion credit report. 
I am facing higher costs and lost opportunities. With a damaged credit score, even if I could get approved for credit, it would be at a much higher interest rate or with unfavorable terms. I have had to postpone plans to refinance my mortgage and delay other financial goals because my credit report is unjustly marred by someone elses wrongdoing. The stress and time spent trying to resolve this have also been significant. 
In summary, TransUnions inaction has not only violated my rights but has had real, adverse consequences on my financial well-being. I am enduring the same hardships as if I had actually defaulted on a loan or declared bankruptcy, when in fact I have done neither. This ongoing harm is directly attributable to TransUnions failure to follow the law and remove fraudulent data.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief