Consumer complaint received 2025-08-18 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
Formal Dispute and Identity Theft Report Demand for Immediate Deletion of Fraudulent Accounts Under FCRA & FACTA ( Metro 2 Compliance Required ) To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute and demand the immediate removal of the following fraudulent accounts from my Equifax credit file, as they are the result of identity theft and/or a data breach and were opened or reported without my authorization or consent. 
The following accounts are fraudulent and must be deleted under 15 U.S. Code 1681c-2 ( FCRA Section 605B ) : 15 U.S. Code 1681e ( b ) Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) You are legally obligated to maintain maximum possible accuracy in the preparation and dissemination of consumer reports. By failing to safeguard my data or allowing unauthorized reporting of false or breached data, you are in direct violation of this statute. 
15 U.S. Code 1681c1 Identity Theft Protections As per this law, when identity theft or data compromise is alleged, you are required to block the reporting of any fraudulent information within 4 business days of receiving proper documentation. Failure to do so constitutes willful noncompliance.

Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 4158 ) You have violated Section 5, which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in commerce by failing to protect my personally identifiable information ( PII ). Allowing unauthorized parties to access or use my data is a clear breach of trust and federal duty.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( 15 U.S.C. 6801 ) This law mandates that you implement safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records. The failure to protect my data is a breach of federal data security standards. 
Breach Notification Laws under 16 C.F.R. Part 314 ( FTC Safeguards Rule ) If you became aware of a data breach involving my information and failed to notify me promptly, you are also in violation of federal regulations requiring timely notice of such breaches.

Fraudulent Accounts : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year> {$530.00}. 
Demand for Action : Immediately remove and permanently delete all unauthorized, false, or fraudulent data appearing in my file. 
Provide me with a detailed report of any parties who have accessed or received my data within the last 24 months. 
Cease and desist from any further reporting, dissemination, or processing of inaccurate or unauthorized information. 
Provide written confirmation of these actions within 10 business days from the date of this notice. 
If you fail to comply, I will escalate this matter by filing formal complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), State Attorney General, and pursue civil litigation under FCRA 1681n and 1681o for statutory damages, actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. 
You are now on notice. Govern yourselves accordingly. 
Attached are the following documents in support of this dispute : Copy of my government-issued ID Police report/FTC Identity Theft Report Signed affidavit Per FACTA ( Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ) and FCRA Section 611, you are legally required to block the reporting of these fraudulent accounts within 4 business days of receiving this identity theft report and supporting documentation. This includes removing all inquiries, tradelines, and any negative reporting associated with these accounts.

Additionally, per Metro 2 Compliance Guidelines and the Credit Reporting Resource Guide ( CRRG ), data furnishers and credit reporting agencies must accurately report and promptly update consumer information. Continuing to report known fraudulent data constitutes negligence and willful noncompliance under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o, and I reserve the right to take legal action if my rights are not upheld. 
You are hereby notified that any failure to act in good faith and in accordance with federal law will be documented as evidence in any potential complaint filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), and other appropriate regulatory bodies. 
Please send me a written confirmation once these accounts have been deleted from my credit file. I expect a full response within 30 days, as required by federal law

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation