Consumer complaint received 2025-06-14 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: NY

Complaint narrative:
I assert that Equifax failed in its legal duty to verify and prevent unauthorized access to my credit file, thereby violating multiple provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 16811681x. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  conducted a hard inquiry on my credit profile without my knowledge, authorization, or any credit application from me. This unauthorized inquiry was then published on my Equifax credit report, where it remained for an extended period before being removed. Despite its removal, the damage had already been donemy credit score was negatively impacted, I experienced stress, and was delayed in obtaining credit. 
This inquiry violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : 1. FCRA 1681b ( a ) Permissible Purposes for Furnishing Consumer Reports A consumer reporting agency may only furnish a consumer report if there is a permissible purpose under the law, including authorization by the consumer. In this case, no such authorization was provided by me to XXXX XXXX. 

2. FCRA 1681e ( a ) Reasonable Procedures to Ensure Accuracy Equifax is legally obligated to maintain procedures to avoid the inclusion of inaccurate or unauthorized information. Equifaxs failure to confirm my consent before permitting a hard inquiry constitutes negligent oversight and process failure. 

3. FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) Duty to Investigate Disputed Information When I disputed the inquiry, Equifax delayed in resolving the issue, allowing false and harmful information to remain visible on my report. This failure to reinvestigate in a timely and thorough manner is another violation.

4. FCRA 1681n Civil Liability for Willful Noncompliance If a CRA or furnisher willfully fails to comply with the FCRA, the consumer is entitled to : Actual damages, Punitive damages, and Attorneys fees and costs. 
I assert Equifaxs actions were willful, as they failed to prevent or promptly remove unauthorized data despite lacking legal justification.

5. FCRA 1681o Civil Liability for Negligent Noncompliance Even if Equifaxs actions are considered negligent rather than willful, I am still entitled to monetary relief due to harm suffered from this negligent handling of my personal credit data.15 U.S. Code 1681n - Civil liability for willful noncompliance15 U.S.C. 1681b ( a ) A consumer report may only be furnished with permissible purpose and consumer authorization.

15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o Provide for damages against companies who willfully or negligently violate the FCRA.

15 U.S.C. 1681i Requires credit bureaus to promptly investigate and remove inaccurate or unauthorized items. 

Despite my lack of involvement with XXXX XXXX, Equifax allowed the inquiry to be added and delayed its removal. This caused measurable harm to my creditworthiness and well-being. I believe both companies failed to meet their legal obligations to protect my consumer information. 

Violations : Equifaxs actions directly violated multiple sections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( a ) A consumer report may only be furnished for permissible purposes and with the consumers consent.

15 U.S.C. 1681n Civil liability for willful noncompliance ( including actual and punitive damages ).

15 U.S.C. 1681o Civil liability for negligent noncompliance.

15 U.S.C. 1681i Obligation to investigate disputed information in a timely and thorough manner. 

I suffered measurable harm, including : A temporary drop in my credit score, which may have affected loan or credit opportunities Emotional distress and inconvenience Time spent investigating, documenting, and disputing the unauthorized inquiry Lack of proper controls by Equifax to prevent unauthorized access to consumer files This unauthorized inquiry was later removedbut only after it had remained on my report long enough to cause substantial harm to my credit score, financial standing, and peace of mind. 

I assert that Equifax failed in its legal duty to verify and prevent unauthorized access to my credit file, thereby violating multiple provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 16811681x.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation