Consumer complaint received 2025-08-10 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: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, On XX/XX/XXXX, I submitted a valid Identity Theft Report to [ XXXX / Equifax XXXX XXXX  ] through IdentityTheft.gov, along with : A copy of my government-issued identification A copy of my Social Security card Proof of my current address These materials were submitted in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ), which requires a consumer reporting agency to block the reporting of information resulting from identity theft within four ( 4 ) business days of receiving : Proof of the consumers identity An Identity Theft Report as defined in 1681a ( q ) ( 4 ) The identification of the information to be blocked I complied fully with all statutory requirements.

Legal Background : 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) : A consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of the above documentation.

CFPB Guidance ( Nov. 10, 2022 ) : Credit bureaus can not require a police report or additional law enforcement confirmation if a valid Identity Theft Report has already been submitted through IdentityTheft.gov.

FTC Enforcement Actions : The FTC has taken action against credit bureaus that delay or refuse blocking by imposing unlawful extra-documentation requirements ( e.g., In the Matter of Equifax Inc., FTC File XXXX XXXX XXXX ). 

Violation : Instead of complying, Equifax responded with a stall tactic, claiming that more documentation or law enforcement confirmation was needed. This is not required by 1681c-2 and directly contradicts both CFPB and FTC guidance .

I confirmed delivery of my documents via my CFPB complaint filed on XX/XX/XXXX and verified receipt by telephone on XX/XX/XXXX. The representative I spoke with confirmed that all required documents were received. Despite this, Equifax has failed to block the fraudulent accounts and inquiries from my credit report. 

Harm : This ongoing failure to comply with the law is : Continuing to damage my credit profile Preventing me from securing housing Limiting access to transportation and financial opportunities Demand for Immediate Action : Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2, I demand that Equifax immediately : Block all fraudulent accounts, inquiries, and related information identified in my Identity Theft Report.

Provide written confirmation that the block has been applied.

Cease any further reporting of the disputed information to third parties.

If compliance is not achieved IMMEDIATELY I will : Escalate my complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Trade Commission Pursue remedies under 15 U.S.C. 1681n & 1681o for willful or negligent noncompliance, including statutory damages, attorneys fees, and punitive damages.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation