Consumer complaint received 2025-12-15 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
I have been a continuous victim of identity theft since XXXX. As a direct and proximate result of this identity theft, on XX/XX/XXXX, a fraudulent loan in the amount of {$3000.00} was opened in my name with XXXX XXXX, and on XX/XX/XXXX, a fraudulent XXXX XXXX credit card account in the amount of {$720.00} was opened in my name. I did not apply for, authorize, consent to, or receive any benefit from either account. These debts are entirely fraudulent and are the direct result of criminal identity theft. 

Despite my repeated submission of identity theft affidavits, police reports, and supporting documentation confirming that these accounts were fraudulently opened, XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX have failed to properly investigate my disputes, failed to block or remove the fraudulent information, and have continued to report, attempt to collect, and aggressively pursue me for payment. This conduct constitutes multiple violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), including but not limited to 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( failure to block information resulting from identity theft ), 1681s-2 ( a ) and 1681s-2 ( b ) ( failure of furnishers to report accurate information and to conduct a reasonable investigation after notice of dispute ), 1681i ( failure to conduct a timely and good-faith reinvestigation ), and 1681e ( b ) ( failure to maintain reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of consumer information ). 

In addition, the continued collection efforts on debts known to be fraudulent constitute harassment, abuse, and deceptive practices in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). Such conduct includes engaging in collection activity after being placed on clear notice that the debts are the result of identity theft, falsely representing the character, amount, and legal status of the debts in violation of 15 U.S.C. 1692e, using unfair or unconscionable means to attempt to collect a debt in violation of 1692f, and engaging in conduct the natural consequence of which is to harass, oppress, or abuse a consumer in violation of 1692d.

Furthermore, under California law, this conduct violates the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, California Civil Code 17881788.33, which incorporates the protections of the FDCPA and applies them to original creditors as well as debt collectors. The continued pursuit of payment, repeated communications, misrepresentation of the validity of the debts, and failure to cease collection after receipt of identity theft documentation constitute unlawful, unfair, and abusive practices under the Rosenthal Act. Additionally, this conduct constitutes unfair, unlawful, and fraudulent business practices in violation of California Business and Professions Code 17200 ( Unfair Competition Law ), as the defendants actions offend established public policy and cause substantial consumer injury.

As a result of these violations, I have suffered significant financial harm, damage to my credit, emotional distress, and ongoing disruption to my personal and professional life. The willful and reckless failure of XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX to comply with federal and California consumer protection laws, despite clear and documented proof of identity theft, subjects them to liability for actual damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, attorneys fees, and injunctive relief.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation