Consumer complaint received 2025-03-01 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX MD XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Subject : Dispute of Entire Credit Report Entries and Request for Debt Validation Due to Multiple Data Breach and Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) Dear [ Credit Reporting Agency ], I am writing to formally dispute inaccurate and incomplete information on my credit report, which I believe may have resulted from data breaches involving Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX, specifically the well-documented breach at XXXX, XXXX well as XXXX XXXX and several other breaches dating back to XXXX and continuing to the XXXX XXXX. These breaches have compromised the security of my personal information. 

It has come to my attention that my personal data, including sensitive information such as my Social Security Number, drivers license, date of birth, and/or account details, was exposed due to breaches involving your companies and others the widespread exposure of my personal data in these breaches calls into question the validity of any information currently reported on my credit report.These breaches are not isolated incidents. The cumulative effect of having my personal information exposed multiple times to unauthorized third parties has put my financial health at significant risk. Each data breach has increased the likelihood that my information could be misused, leading to distress as I work to protect myself from identity theft, fraud, and erroneous financial reporting in this increasingly digital world. These breaches have caused my credit history to be in dispute, given the unauthorized access to my confidential information.

I am requesting a thorough investigation into any incorrect or fraudulent entries associated with these breaches. Additionally, I request the immediate deletion of any fraudulent information related to this identity theft. Due to the scale of these breaches, I expect your agency to investigate and correct any errors caused by this breach under the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. I expect all derogatory marks, accounts, and inquiries linked to these breaches to be investigated and removed if they are found to be invalid or fraudulently reported.

Personal Information : Name XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of Birth XXXX XXXX XXXX Address XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX MD XXXX Social Security Number : XXXX Nature of Dispute : As you are aware, numerous data breaches have compromised the personal and financial information of millions of consumers. These breaches have led to significant harm and disruptions in the credit profiles of affected individuals, including mine. Sensitive data has been exposed and is now vulnerable to misuse by unauthorized parties. As a result, I believe that my credit report may contain erroneous or fraudulent entries caused by this exposure.

I have identified discrepancies in my credit report that appear to be linked to fraudulent activity resulting from breaches dating back to XXXX. 

Additionally, I have already filed a report with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) and submitted a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) regarding this matter. Both actions further support my claim of potential identity theft and underscore the need for immediate correction of my credit report.

As required by FCRA Section 605 ( B ), I request that you investigate these discrepancies and remove any fraudulent information from my credit report. I expect a response within 30 days of receipt of this letter. Please provide documentation detailing the steps taken to investigate and resolve my dispute.If this matter is not resolved within the specified timeframe, I will take further action, including pursuing legal remedies to protect my rights under the law. I am invoking my rights under various federal laws regarding identity theft and fraudulent credit reporting, specifically referencing Section 605B of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2, which requires credit reporting agencies to block fraudulent information that results from identity theft.

Please note that, under FCRA Section 1681s-2 ( a ), credit reporting agencies are required to " Reinvestigate '' disputed items and correct any inaccuracies or incomplete information. Given that the data breach is directly related to the inaccuracy or potential misuse of my information, I am requesting that you review my entire credit reportnot just the individual disputed items to ensure it accuracy. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  faced a security breach in XXXX, compromising sensitive customer data. This breach was part of a larger trend of financial institutions failing to protect their clients ' information, which could have impacted the accuracy of financial records and reports related to my credit profile. 

Equifax XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) : In this widely publicized breach, Equifax exposed the personal information of approximately 147 million Americans, including social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and, in some cases, driver 's license numbers. Equifax 's failure to properly safeguard my data potentially led to identity theft and fraudulent activities, which could have affected my credit score. As such, I request that you investigate and correct any erroneous information that may have arisen from this breach, as allowed by FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( regarding notice of changes in personal information ). As the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) confirmed in XXXX, the breach posed a significant risk of identity theft ( FTC v. Equifax, XXXX ). The FTC noted that Equifax inadequate security measures led to the exposure of millions of Americans ' personal data. The XXXX XXXX XXXX for the XXXX XXXX XXXX Georgia ruled that Equifax failure to implement " reasonable security measures '' violated consumers ' rights under the FCRA, specifically 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( f ) ( which mandates that consumer data be used for permissible purposes only ). As such, I request that you review my credit report for any entries that could have resulted from fraudulent use of my information due to this breach.

Experian & Transunion Data Breaches : Although these breaches may not have been as large-scale as Equifax they still exposed millions of Americans to significant risks of identity theft. Both bureaus have a duty under FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) to maintain accurate information. Given the recent disclosures of personal data, I request that both Experian and TransUnion review my credit reports for any inaccurate information resulting from the breaches. Both Experian and TransUnion have also been involved in various other data breaches, compromising sensitive personal data. Most recently, TransUnion settled a class action lawsuit in XXXX for failing to protect consumer data properly, leading to widespread fraud and inaccurate credit reporting. In TransUnion Data Breach Litigation, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX ), the court found that TransUnion had violated its obligations under FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ), which requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy in the credit reports they produce. As these companies ' failures in safeguarding personal data are well-documented, I request a thorough review and update of my credit file to ensure any inaccuracies from these breaches are addressedXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXs breach exposed personal information of millions of customers, including payment details. The breach involved malicious code being introduced into the company 's ticketing systems. As a customer who was impacted by this breach, this was significant, as it impacted the personal financial data of millions, including myself. 

* XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, legal action was taken against the company for its failure to adequately protect customer data. Equifax , Inc., Customer Data Security Breach Litigation,
2019 WL 3937643 ( N.D. Ga. 2019 ) : In this case, Equifax was held accountable for its failure to protect consumer data, which directly impacted the accuracy of credit reports.

Transunion Data Breach Litigation, 2020 WL 2650920 ( N.D. Ill. ) : This case reinforces that credit bureaus are liable for failing to safeguard consumer data and are required to ensure accuracy in their credit reporting.

Data Breach Liability Equifax , Inc., Customer Data Security Breach Litigation, 2019 WL 3937643 ( N.D. Ga. 2019 ) : In this case, consumers alleged that Equifax 's failure to protect their data led to significant financial and emotional harm. The court ruled that Equifax could be held liable for the harm caused by their negligence in failing to properly safeguard consumer data. 

CFPB Lawsuit Against Experian ( 2025 ) : In XX/XX/XXXX, the CFPB sued Experian, alleging that the company failed to properly investigate consumer disputes, resulting in the inclusion of incorrect information on credit reports.

Experian/T-Mobile Data Breach ( 2015 ) : This breach exposed the personal information of nearly XXXX XXXX customers. 

Experian Data Breach Settlement ( 2019 ) : This settlement addresses claims that Experian had reported incorrect residential information, labeling certain addresses as high-risk, which adversely affected consumers ' creditworthiness.

CFPB Enforcement Actions : The CFPB took action against TransUnion in 2022 for deceptive marketing practices related to credit scores and credit-related products. 

FTC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, where the FTC emphasized the importance of data security practices and consumer rights in cases involving breaches of sensitive data. 

Data Breach Impact on Credit Reports : Courts have acknowledged the need for credit bureaus to take reasonable steps to ensure that data breaches do not result in the dissemination of inaccurate information. 

XXXXe XXXX XXXXransUnion LLC , 925 F.3d 201 ( 3rd Cir. XXXX XXXX, the court emphasized that credit bureaus must act promptly when alerted to fraud or inaccuracies resulting from a data breach. 

*Section 1681e ( b ) : This provision requires that credit reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures to ensure the accuracy of the information in their reports. Given the occurrence of the data breach, I am requesting that you reevaluate your security measures and take immediate action to ensure my credit report is corrected to reflect only accurate information.

*Identity Theft Victim Rights : Under the FCRA, if a consumers information is compromised due to a data breach and they become a victim of identity theft, they have the right to request that a fraud alert or credit freeze be placed on their file. Additionally, consumers can request that their credit report be reviewed for any inaccuracies or unauthorized entries. 

*FCRA Section 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) : This section mandates that credit bureaus block any fraudulent information related to identity theft once I provide proper documentation ( e.g., a police report or FTC identity theft report ). You are required to block any fraudulent accounts or entries that were not made by me and notify me that the information has been blocked.

*The Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681i : Under the FCRA, credit reporting agencies are legally obligated to maintain accurate and complete consumer credit information. Section 1681i requires that if a consumer disputes information, the credit reporting agency must investigate and respond to the dispute within 30 days. Given the data breach, I expect that any fraudulent or inaccurate information will be corrected.

*Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Section 1681i ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) : Under FCRA Section 1681i, if I dispute inaccurate or incomplete information on my credit report, you are required to conduct a full investigation. If the information is found to be inaccurate or fraudulent, you must remove or correct it. This statute strengthens my request for the deletion of fraudulent accounts from my credit report. 

*Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act ( 18 U.S.C . 1028 ) : This statute criminalizes identity theft and provides a basis for legal recourse. If my personal information was used fraudulently, I am entitled to seek corrective actions through the credit bureaus. The fraudulent entries on my report violate this federal law, and I request their immediate deletion.

*Identity Theft Victims Assistance Act ( 16 C.F.R. 603.2 ) : The Identity Theft Victims Assistance Act stipulates that victims of identity theft can request the blocking of fraudulent information on their credit reports. This regulation supports my claim that the fraudulent entries caused by the breach should be removed immediately once I provide sufficient evidence of identity theft. 

*Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) - 15 U.S.C. 1692g : Under this law, any debt that is disputed by the consumer must be validated by the debt collector before collection efforts proceed. This validates my right to dispute any debts that have been fraudulently placed on my credit report and for you to provide proof of the legitimacy of these debts before pursuing any further actions.

*The Consumer Privacy Protection Act ( S. 2151 ) : This law requires companies to implement measures to protect personal data and provides victims with the right to seek corrective action if their data is used fraudulently. As a victim of the breach, I am entitled to the removal of any fraudulent information linked to this breach.

*Fair Credit Reporting Act - 15 U.S.C . 1681b ( f ) : This section clarifies that credit reporting agencies must take reasonable steps to ensure that the information they report is accurate. If a consumer disputes an item, the agency must take prompt action to correct or remove the inaccurate information. This legal requirement bolsters my claim to have any fraudulent information removed.

*Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act ( 18 U.S.C . 3663A ) : This act allows victims of identity theft to seek restitution and places responsibility on the parties involved in the fraudulent use of personal information. This is a critical legal provision supporting my request for restitution or correction of fraudulent debt on my credit report.

*Electronic Fund Transfer Act ( EFTA ) - 15 U.S.C. 1693g : The EFTA requires that financial institutions notify consumers of unauthorized transactions. This is particularly relevant in cases where a consumers financial information has been used fraudulently. I request that you investigate whether unauthorized transactions have occurred under my name and resolve any associated debt or discrepancies.

*Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Identity Theft Report ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-3 ) : The FTC Identity Theft Report is a crucial document when disputing fraudulent information on your credit report. According to 15 U.S.C. 1681c-3, credit reporting agencies are required to block fraudulent information on the basis of a valid FTC identity theft report. This law underpins my request to remove fraudulent accounts linked to identity theft.

*Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ( FACTA ) of 2003, 15 U.S.C . 1681c-1 : FACTA enhances the rights of identity theft victims by providing a mechanism for blocking fraudulent information from a credit report. Under FACTA, credit reporting agencies are required to block fraudulent information once the consumer has submitted a police report or an FTC identity theft report.

*Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) Regulations ( 12 C.F.R. 1022.41 ) : The CFPB regulations also enforce the FCRAs rules, including the removal of fraudulent entries from credit reports. According to these regulations, credit reporting agencies must take immediate action once notified of identity theft or fraud.

*Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins , 136 S. Ct. 1540 ( 2016 ) : The Supreme Court ruled that a consumer has standing to sue under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) even if the injury is intangible, such as the inaccurate reporting of personal data. This case highlights the importance of ensuring the accuracy of information on your credit report and your right to dispute any discrepancies, especially in the context of data breaches.

Furthermore, in the landmark case Spokeo , Inc. v. Robins, 578 U.S. 330 ( 2016 ), the U.S. Supreme Court emphasized the need for accurate reporting and consumer protection under the FCRA. As my personal information has been compromised, I believe the inaccuracies on my credit report represent a clear violation of this precedent, which ensures the integrity and security of credit reporting.

*Safeco Ins. Co. v. Burr, 551 U.S. 47 ( 2007 ) : This case established that consumers are entitled to damages when a credit report is inaccurately reported, even if the violation was not willful. It is a key case reinforcing the legal obligations of credit reporting agencies to report accurate information and respond to consumer disputes.

*XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) : This case involved a data breach where consumers personal data was stolen. The court ruled that individuals who were at risk of identity theft due to the breach had standing to sue, even if they did not suffer actual financial harm at the time. This case highlights the importance of taking action when personal information is compromised, as potential harm can exist even if no immediate fraud occurs.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  : This case involved a massive data breach at XXXX XXXX which owned retailers such as TJ Maxx ). The court ruled that individuals whose data was compromised could seek legal remedies for the breach. The case emphasizes that businesses have an obligation to protect consumer data and that consumers are entitled to redress if that data is mishandled or used for fraudulent purposes.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : The court ruled that individuals whose personal information is stolen due to a breach have standing to sue if they can demonstrate that the breach exposed them to a heightened risk of identity theft. In the case of disputed credit report items resulting from such breaches, courts have held that the impacted individuals can pursue legal remedies.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  : In this case, the court ruled that credit reporting agencies must take proactive steps when dealing with disputes over fraud and identity theft. The case emphasizes that the credit bureaus have an obligation to conduct a thorough investigation when consumers assert that their personal information has been compromised and misused. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The court held that a consumer whose identity was stolen due to a data breach could sue credit bureaus for not properly investigating disputed items resulting from the theft. The case underscores the need for credit bureaus to comply with the FCRAs dispute investigation provisions in cases of fraud resulting from data breaches.

*Sued v. TransUnion LLC XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  This case illustrates that consumers have the right to hold credit bureaus accountable if they fail to correct inaccurate information, including data compromised by breaches. The court ruled that consumers whose information has been misused have standing to challenge the misinformation in court, especially if the bureaus fail to adequately investigate.

*Carmen v. Experian Information Solutions , Inc. , 2015 U.S. DistXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) : The court emphasized that credit reporting agencies must reasonably investigate disputes regarding credit report inaccuracies, particularly where fraud or identity theft is suspected. This ruling supports my request for an investigation into fraudulent entries on my credit report.

*Guerrero v. Asset Acceptance , LLC , 2014 U.S. Dist. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The court reiterated that debt collectors must validate a debt when disputed. This case upholds the consumer 's right to request debt validation and provides a framework for requesting the documentation needed to prove the legitimacy of a debt.

In compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the Federal Trade Commissions ( FTC ) Red Flags Rule, your company is obligated to protect sensitive personal information and take immediate action in response to any breach. Non-compliance could expose your organization to legal liability under the Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act of 2008.

Therefore, I respectfully request the following : *A detailed explanation of how the breach occurred and the steps your company is taking to prevent further incidents.

*A list of all my accounts and personal information that were potentially exposed due to the breach.

*Documentation of the steps being taken to assist consumers impacted by the breach, including any credit monitoring services provided.

Debt Validation Request : In addition to requesting the removal of fraudulent information, I am also requesting that you validate any debt ( s ) reporting on my credit profile and provide the following documentation : *Payment History : Proof that I owe the debt ( s ), including but not limited to a detailed history of payments made on the account ( s ), listing all credits, debits, and balances.

*Chain of Title : Documentation that verifies the transfer of ownership of the debt, showing that the party attempting to collect the debt has the legal right to do so. This should include a clear chain of title and any evidence of assignment or transfer of the debt. Full chain of Assignment ( FDCPA Sections 809a, 809b, 809c, 809d, 809e ) *Original Contract : I demand the original signed contract that allegedly binds me to this debt, with my signature, to confirm my intent to repay the debt. If no signed contract exists, I request proof of the debts legitimacy. This is particularly critical, as the data breaches Ive outlined above may have resulted in fraudulent activities leading to this debt.

*Insurance Claims : Details of any insurance claims linked to this account, including coverage information or settlements made in relation to the debt claims, and any reimbursements or settlements received.

*Clear Explanation of Fees and Charges : Debt collectors must explain any additional fees or charges that have been applied, such as late fees, interest rates, or collection fees. They must also justify these fees to ensure that they are in line with the original agreement. ( FDCPA Section 808 : Prohibits the collection of charges or fees that are not legally authorized or part of the original agreement. ) *Validation that the Debt is Not Beyond the Statute of Limitations : Debt collectors must verify that the debt is not time-barred. If the debt is too old, the collector may no longer have legal standing to pursue it, and they should cease collection efforts. ( FDCPA Section 808 : Prohibits pursuing time-barred debts. ) Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692g, you are legally required to provide the requested documentation before pursuing further collection efforts.

Request for Action : I respectfully request that you take the following actions : Conduct a full investigation into the entries on my credit report, including the debt ( s ) in question, and provide the requested documentation.

1. Remove or correct any fraudulent or inaccurate or incomplete entries as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i.

2. Block any fraudulent entries under FCRA Section 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) linked to the identity theft resulting from a data breach.

3. Resolve any discrepancies linked to the data breach promptly.

Please respond in writing with the results of your investigation within the 30-day timeframe set forth by the FCRA. I have enclosed supporting documentation, including the FTC report, CFPB complaint reference, proof of identity, and a copy of other data breaches related to my credit profile along with a copy of all three credit bureaus ' credit freezes. Should you need any additional information, please feel free to contact me directly.

Please consider this dispute an urgent matter in light of the significant impact the data breaches I have had on my personal and financial information. I request a timely and thorough investigation into the inaccuracies and fraudulent activities linked to these breaches.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your swift response.

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief