Consumer complaint received 2024-10-29 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
On or about XX/XX/XXXX I attempted to login to the credit reporting agencies in order to increase a credit card limit. My spouse and I were making plans to relocate to another part of the state for health reasons and were in negotiations to purchase a home and needed to increase the limit to cover the cost of the moving company as well as temporary housing and storage. My request to increase my limit was denied because of a credit freeze that was provided me as a result of some info breaches. 

The email ID used to login was one that I had established long ago with our internet provider at that time. From that point on the ID was under the total control of the credit agency. It could not be changed by me. I had been notified by the internet provider that the email would eventually be deactivated if I discontiued service with them. When I moved outside their service area in XXXX to this state I could no longer make use of their service because of a lack of coverage. The email ID was deactivated sometime between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. As I said... the email ID used as a login to the credit agency was under the total control of that agency. I had no means to correct it. In fact, the only check made by the agency is whether the email ID is valid or not. No due diligence to verify why an ID that was valid a few months ago was no longer valid. Whether that failure in oversight was a result of incompetence or malice is irrelevant. The effect on me was the same. In fact, after 3 tries to login a fraud lock was added to my credit freeze. 

As a secondary login requirement the credit agencies require a phone code response. Just like the email ID the phone number is totally under the control of the agency and can not be modified by me. That number was one that I had for a long time but the cell provider did not release my cell phone number as they are required but there is no penalty if they do not do so. At this time it has been reissued to a different party and I am using a new number from a different carrier. 

As a result of these actions or inactions by the credit agencies I can not obtain a lease on an apartment or a storage facility. I can not incur a mortgage loan even one as simple as a swing loan. I can not make use of the government login system which means I can not access my XXXX XXXX, my SS, XXXX XXXX, my IRS accounts, etc. My current gov login has been deactivated pending a reestablishment of my identity. In effect the credit agencies have stolen my identity. 

I had already made plans to establish health coverage in my new area and in fact were scheduled to have my initial contact with him during XXXX. I have been forced to cancel that appt. 

The lease on my current apartment expires in XXXX and I can not renew it. The apt mgmt will allow me to do a month by month renewal for a limited time but it will involve an additional rent. 

We have not yet decided whether to file a fraud complaint with the FTC. It is likely.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation