Consumer complaint received 2025-04-21 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
Equifax Failure to Comply with FCRA 1681c2 Improper Handling of Identity Theft Dispute To Whom It May Concern : I am submitting this formal complaint regarding Equifaxs failure to adhere to federal requirements under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) concerning the handling of identity theft disputes and the timely removal of fraudulent information from consumer credit files. 

On XX/XX/year>, I sent a dispute package via U.S. Postal Service to Equifax, including all required documents as outlined in federal legislation for victims of identity theft. This package included : A copy of my government-issued photo identification A FTC identity theft report A police report from XXXX Police Department for the identity theft A formal dispute letter identifying the fraudulent accounts and inquiries listed on my credit file with a formal request to block the fraudulent information from my credit file as a identity theft victim According to USPS tracking , Equifax received the complete dispute documentation on XX/XX/year>. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Equifax was legally obligated to act on this identity theft dispute within four business days. 

Specifically, the FCRA mandates : 15 U.S. Code 1681c2 ( a ) ( 1 ) " 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 of ( A ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( B ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( C ) the identification of such information by the consumer ; and ( D ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer. '' Despite being provided all documentation explicitly required under this statute, Equifax failed to take timely action to block the fraudulent information from my credit report as mandated by law. This omission is a direct violation of my rights as a consumer and identity theft victim. 

Furthermore, the FCRA emphasizes that : 15 U.S. Code 1681c2 ( b ) " No consumer reporting agency shall refuse to block, or rescind a block of, information under this section unless the agency makes a reasonable determination that ( 1 ) the information was blocked due to a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer... or ( 2 ) the consumer agrees that the blocked information or portions of the blocked information were submitted in error. '' Neither of the above conditions applies in my case, and no communication was received from Equifax requesting clarification, indicating an intent to rescind, or notifying me of any material issues with the submission. 

Summary of Equifaxs Failure : Did not act within four business days as required under 15 U.S.C. 1681c2 ( a ) Failed to block fraudulent accounts and inquiries despite receiving all necessary documentation on XX/XX/year> Provided no written communication acknowledging receipt or explaining the delay in action Violated the clear provisions of the FCRA and ignored consumer protections for identity theft victims

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief