Consumer complaint received 2025-01-18 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
I, XXXX XXXX, submit this formal complaint against Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX for ongoing violations of federal laws under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). My credit reports with all three bureaus contain fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries that these bureaus have failed to address despite multiple disputes and supporting documentation. Additionally, these bureaus have removed fraudulent accounts and inquiries only to reinsert them without proper validation, which constitutes an egregious violation of 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ). 

XXXX Accounts : XXXX Account # XXXX : ** Charged-off account with discrepancies in payment status, open dates, and lack of proper notification across bureaus. 

Laws Violated : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Failure to investigate disputes within 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) : Failure to block fraudulent accounts upon receiving proper documentation.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) : Failure to provide debt validation within five days of reporting.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) : Illegal reinsertion of previously removed information without proper validation. 

XXXX Account # XXXX : ** Collection account with balance discrepancies, open date variations, and lack of validation across bureaus.

Laws Violated : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Failure to investigate disputes within 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) : Failure to provide debt validation within five days of reporting.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) : Illegal reinsertion of previously removed information without proper validation.

Unauthorized Inquiries : The following entities made unauthorized inquiries into my credit report, violating 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( c ) : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Incorrect Names and Addresses : Fraudulent names such as " XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX must be removed as they are not associated with me.

Violations Summary : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum accuracy in credit reporting.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Failure to conduct proper investigations within 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) : Failure to block fraudulent accounts and inquiries upon receiving sufficient proof, including police reports and identity verification.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) : Failure to provide debt validation within five days of reporting.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) : Illegal reinsertion of previously removed information without proper validation.

15 U.S.C. 1681b ( c ) : Failure to ensure permissible purpose for accessing my credit report.

Demands : Immediate Removal and Blockage : Remove and block all fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries from my credit file across all three bureaus.

Ensure that these accounts and inquiries are not reinserted without proper validation as required under 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ).

Written Confirmation : Provide written confirmation of the removal of these accounts and inquiries along with updated copies of my credit reports.

Thorough Investigation : Investigate how these accounts and inquiries were recorded without my consent and provide findings in writing.

Compliance with Identity Theft Protections : Implement fraud alerts and provide me with identity theft resources as mandated under 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ).

Supporting Documents : Enclosed with this complaint are the following documents : Copy of my government-issued ID Copy of my Social Security card Police reports regarding the identity theft Proof of address Conclusion : The ongoing noncompliance by Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX has caused significant harm and distress. The reinsertion of fraudulent accounts and inquiries without proper validation exacerbates these violations. I request CFPB enforcement to ensure these violations are addressed promptly and to secure remedies under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o for willful and negligent violations of federal law. Your intervention is necessary to compel these bureaus to fulfill their legal obligations and to ensure these accounts and inquiries are permanently removed and blocked. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief