Consumer complaint received 2025-02-05 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
ATTN CFPB : THIS PERTAINS MATTERS OF THE FALSE CLAIMS ACT [ XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ] [ XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX  XXXX ] [ XXXX, Ga, XXXX ] [ XXXX ] [ XXXX ] [ XXXX ] Equifax Information Services [ XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, GA XXXX ] Subject : Intent to Initiate Legal Action or Arbitration Regarding CFPB Complaint # XXXX To Whom It May Concern at Equifax Information Services, This letter serves as formal notice of my intent to initiate legal action or arbitration regarding the above-referenced Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) complaint . Equifax Information Services has engaged in systematic violations of federal consumer protection laws, including but not limited to the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and the False Claims Act, resulting in financial harm, loss of credit standing, and repeated deceptive practices against me. 

Background & Ongoing Violations On [ XXXX ], I filed CFPB complaint # XXXX against Equifax concerning its improper handling of my credit file and failure to comply with the FCRAs dispute resolution requirements. Equifax falsely stated in its response to the CFPB that the XXXX XXXX tradeline had been deleted, when in reality : The tradeline remains on my credit file despite Equifaxs claim. 
Equifax has engaged in further misconduct by improperly re-reporting collection statements tied to this account, causing a XXXX drop in my FICO score today. 
Over the past XXXX months, Equifax has sent more than XXXX misleading correspondences while intentionally avoiding providing the required Method of Validation ( MOV ). 
Each of these instances constitutes an independent violation of federal law, with applicable penalties as outlined below. 

Violations Committed by Equifax Information Services 1. False Statement to the CFPB Regarding Tradeline Deletion Equifax knowingly submitted false information to a federal agency by falsely stating that the XXXX XXXX XXXX had been deleted, when in fact it remains on my credit report. 
This constitutes a willful violation of the False Claims Act, as well as fraudulent misrepresentation under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ).

2. Failure to Provide Method of Validation ( XXXX  ) Despite Multiple Requests Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 7 ) and the FDCPA, Equifax is legally required to provide a Method of Validation ( XXXX  ) when requested. 
Despite my numerous requests, Equifax has failed to provide MOV, yet continues to re-report the account and mislead me with non-responsive correspondences. 
XXXX. Improper and Deceptive Re-Reporting of a Disputed Tradeline The re-reporting of the XXXX XXXX XXXX after its alleged deletion caused a XXXX drop in my FICO score. 
Equifaxs continued failure to accurately update and investigate disputes violates 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) and 1681i ( a ).

4. Sending Over 60 Deceptive and Misleading Correspondences Each misleading correspondenceespecially the 13 sent in a single dayconstitutes an individual violation of federal consumer protection laws. 
These repeated and frivolous responses appear designed to harass, mislead, and evade compliance, rather than fulfill Equifaxs legal obligations. 
5. Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Reinvestigation Equifax has improperly marked disputes as verified without conducting a lawful and reasonable investigation, violating 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ).

Compensation & Statutory Damages Demanded Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681n ( a ), consumers are entitled to statutory damages of up to {$1000.00} per willful violation. Additionally, civil penalties apply under FTC and CFPB guidelines for repeat offenses and deceptive practices. 

Given the 16 immediate violations identifiedplus the over 60 misleading correspondences sent in lieu of providing the required XXXX  am seeking the following compensation : Violation Statutory Penalty Per Violation Number of Violations Total Compensation Sought False statement to CFPB {$1000.00} XXXX {$1000.00} Failure to provide XXXX  {$1000.00} Multiple requests ignored $ XXXX Re-reporting deleted tradeline {$1000.00} XXXX {$1000.00} Sending XXXX misleading letters in XXXX day {$1000.00} XXXX {$13000.00} Total deceptive correspondences ( XXXX ) {$1000.00} XXXX $ XXXX Failure to properly investigate disputes {$1000.00} XXXX $ XXXX Consecutive & repeated credit score damage over 6 months {$1000.00} Multiple occurrences XXXX  Total Compensation Sought Minimum $ XXXX This total does not yet include additional damages for emotional distress, legal fees, and punitive damages that may be sought if this matter proceeds to court or arbitration.

Intent to Litigate or Arbitrate If Equifax fails to fully remedy these violations within [ 15 days ], I will : File a lawsuit in the appropriate court seeking statutory damages, actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o. 
Initiate arbitration under applicable consumer arbitration provisions, presenting documented evidence of Equifaxs false statements, repeated violations, and failure to comply with federal law.

Resolution Sought To resolve this matter without legal action, I demand the following : 1. Immediate and permanent removal of the XXXX XXXX tradeline from my credit file. 
XXXX. A full and complete Method of Validation ( MOV ) for the disputed tradeline, including the name, contact information, and verification method used by Equifax. 
XXXX. Written confirmation detailing : The steps taken to comply with FCRA, FDCPA, and False Claims Act. 
A legally binding statement that Equifax will not reinsert this tradeline without proper notification. 
An official explanation for Equifaxs false statement to the CFPB regarding the tradeline deletion.

4. Monetary compensation in accordance with statutory guidelines for Equifaxs multiple violations as detailed above.

Final Notice Please respond in writing within [ 15 days ] confirming your intent to fully remedy these violations. Failure to comply will result in immediate escalation through legal action or arbitration. 

Sincerely, [ XXXX XXXX  XXXX ] [ MAILED COPY WILL FOLLOW ] [ XXXX ]

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation