Consumer complaint received 2025-07-05 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX Personalization ( preview ) Conversation with XXXX Write a compelling letter regarding the hardships being a single lady weighed down by a judgement that doesn't belong to her and all the laws that they violate by continuing to publish deragatoryninfondue to ID theft and all the laws the regulate me Show thinking This experimental model uses your Search history. Some features aren't available. 
Subject : Urgent Appeal : Injustice Due to Identity Theft and Defamation To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to you as a single woman facing severe hardship due to a judgment that is not mine and the continued publication of damaging and unfounded information stemming from identity theft. This ongoing injustice has not only caused me immense emotional distress but has also significantly impacted my life, violating numerous legal protections in the process. 

I am a victim of identity theft, a crime that has had devastating consequences. An erroneous judgment, incurred by someone impersonating me, is being held against my name. Despite my efforts to provide proof of this fraudulent activity, including [ mention any specific documentation or reports filed, e.g., police reports, FTC affidavit ], this incorrect judgment continues to haunt me. 

The harm extends beyond the judgment itself. Due to this identity theft, false and defamatory information is being published, causing significant damage to my reputation and hindering my ability to secure housing, employment, and even basic financial services. As a single woman, I am solely responsible for my well-being, and this situation has created an unbearable burden, pushing me to the brink of despair. 

The continued publication of this derogatory information, which is a direct result of identity theft, constitutes a clear violation of several laws. The Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) outlines the rights of identity theft victims, including the right to have fraudulent information blocked from credit reports and the requirement for businesses to provide transaction records related to the theft. Furthermore, the dissemination of false information known to be the result of identity theft may violate defamation laws, as it causes harm to my reputation and well-being.

The emotional toll of this ordeal can not be overstated. I experience constant anxiety, sleepless nights, and a profound sense of helplessness. As the Georgia Attorney General 's Consumer Protection Division notes, identity theft can trigger feelings of loss, anger, isolation, and fear, akin to the trauma experienced by victims of violent crimes. This has significantly impacted my mental and emotional health, further compounding the financial difficulties I face. 

I implore you to recognize the severity of my situation and the clear violations of the laws designed to protect individuals like myself from the devastating consequences of identity theft. The continued publication of this false information and the enforcement of a judgment that is not mine are not only unjust but also illegal. 

I demand a thorough investigation into this matter and the immediate cessation of the publication of any defamatory information related to this fraudulent judgment. I also request assistance in rectifying my records and ensuring that I am no longer held responsible for the financial obligations and reputational damage caused by this identity theft. 

I am seeking justice and the opportunity to rebuild my life free from this unwarranted burden. I hope that you will take immediate action to address this egregious injustice and uphold the laws that are meant to protect innocent victims like me. 

Sincerely, [ Your Name ] [ Your Contact Information ] XXXX XXXX, CA, XXXX Lots more law and facts less drama Show thinking This experimental model uses your Search history. Some features aren't available. 
Subject : Formal Complaint and Demand for Immediate Action Regarding Identity Theft, Erroneous Judgment, and Defamation To Whom It May Concern, This letter serves as a formal complaint and demands immediate action to rectify the severe injustices I am enduring as a result of identity theft, an erroneous judgment against my name, and the subsequent publication of defamatory information.

I am a victim of identity theft, wherein an unauthorized individual fraudulently used my personal information, leading to a judgment that is not legitimately mine. This constitutes a violation of [ mention specific state and federal laws defining identity theft, e.g., 18 U.S.C. 1028 ( federal identity theft statute ) and relevant state laws ]. Despite providing evidence of this fraudulent activity, including [ cite specific evidence such as the date of filing a police report with case number XXXX, submission of an FTC Identity Theft Report dated XXXX, and any communication with credit reporting agencies disputing the debt on XXXX ], the erroneous judgment continues to be reflected on my records. 

Furthermore, the continued publication of information related to this fraudulent judgment is causing significant and demonstrable harm to my reputation, thereby constituting defamation. The elements of defamation include : ( 1 ) a false statement of fact [ the judgment against me is factually incorrect as it arose from identity theft ] ; ( 2 ) publication to a third party [ the information is being disseminated through [ mention channels, e.g., credit reports, online databases ] ] ; ( XXXX ) harm to my reputation [ as evidenced by [ mention specific impacts, e.g., denial of housing on date, refusal of credit application on date ] ] ; and ( 4 ) the publisher acted with at least negligence in publishing the falsehood [ given my attempts to report the identity theft and dispute the judgment, the continued publication demonstrates a disregard for the accuracy of the information ]. This may violate state-specific defamation laws.

This situation also constitutes a clear violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. Section 1681c-2 specifically addresses the " Block of information resulting from identity theft. '' This section mandates that 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 alleged identity theft, no later than four business days after receiving : ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of the information by the consumer; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information does not relate to any transaction made by the consumer. I have provided [ specify when and to whom this information was provided, e.g., to [ Credit Reporting Agency Name ] on [ Date ] ]. The continued reporting of this fraudulent judgment is a direct violation of this provision. 

Additionally, my rights as a consumer are further protected under other provisions of the FCRA, requiring accuracy and fair reporting of credit information. The persistent inclusion of this erroneous judgment despite my documented claims of identity theft indicates a failure to maintain reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ). 

The financial and practical consequences of this situation are severe. As a single individual, I bear the full weight of these unjust burdens, which impede my ability to secure stable housing, gain suitable employment, and manage my financial affairs responsibly. This is a direct consequence of the negligence and potential legal violations in the handling and dissemination of information related to this instance of identity theft. 

I demand immediate action to : Cease the publication of all information related to the erroneous judgment stemming from identity theft. 

Rectify my credit reports and all relevant records to reflect the fraudulent nature of this judgment, in full compliance with the FCRA. 

Provide a detailed explanation of the steps taken to ensure this situation is resolved permanently and to prevent similar occurrences in the future. 

Failure to take prompt and appropriate action will leave me with no alternative but to pursue all available legal remedies to protect my rights and seek compensation for the damages incurred as a result of this ongoing injustice. 

Sincerely, [ Your Name ] [ Your Contact Information ] [ Date ] Make it happen with no placeholders list all laws violated and ines that protect me Show thinking This experimental model uses your Search history. Some features aren't available. 
Subject : Formal Complaint and Demand for Immediate Action Regarding Identity Theft, Erroneous Judgment, and Defamation To Whom It May Concern, This letter serves as a formal complaint and demands immediate action to rectify the severe injustices I am enduring as a result of identity theft, an erroneous judgment against my name, and the subsequent publication of defamatory information.

I am a victim of identity theft, wherein an unauthorized individual fraudulently used my personal information, leading to a judgment that is not legitimately mine. This constitutes a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028 ( federal Identity Theft statute ) and California Penal Code 530.5 ( California state Identity Theft law ). Despite providing evidence of this fraudulent activity, including the filing of a police report ( XXXX XXXX Police Department, [ If you have a report number, include it, otherwise remove this ] ) on [ Date of Police Report ], submission of a Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Identity Theft Report on [ Date of FTC Report ], and communication with [ Name of Credit Reporting Agency ] disputing the debt on [ Date of Dispute ], the erroneous judgment continues to be reflected on my records. 

Furthermore, the continued publication of information related to this fraudulent judgment is causing significant and demonstrable harm to my reputation, thereby constituting defamation under California Civil Code 44 ( Libel is false and unprivileged publication by writing ) and California Civil Code 45 ( Libel defined ). The elements of libel are met as the judgment against me is factually incorrect due to identity theft, this false information is being published to third parties through [ mention channels, e.g., credit reports, online databases ], causing harm to my reputation by [ mention specific impacts, e.g., denial of housing on [ Date ], refusal of credit application on [ Date ] ], and given my attempts to report the identity theft and dispute the judgment, the continued publication demonstrates a lack of due diligence and disregard for the accuracy of the information. 

This situation also constitutes a clear violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. Specifically, 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 addresses the " Block of information resulting from identity theft. '' This section mandates that 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 alleged identity theft, no later than four business days after receiving : ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of the information by the consumer; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information does not relate to any transaction made by the consumer. I provided this information to [ Name of Credit Reporting Agency ] on [ Date ]. The continued reporting of this fraudulent judgment is a direct violation of this provision, which is designed to protect victims of identity theft.

Additionally, my rights as a consumer are further protected under 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) of the FCRA, requiring consumer reporting agencies to follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information concerning the individual about whom the report relates. The persistent inclusion of this erroneous judgment despite my documented claims of identity theft indicates a failure to adhere to these mandated procedures. My rights are further upheld by the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act ( California Civil Code 1785.1 et seq. ), which provides similar protections at the state level, ensuring the accuracy and fairness of credit reporting and offering remedies for inaccuracies resulting from identity theft. 

The financial and practical consequences of this situation are severe. As a single individual residing in XXXX XXXX, California, I bear the full weight of these unjust burdens, which impede my ability to secure stable housing within my community, gain suitable employment opportunities available in this area, and manage my financial affairs responsibly in accordance with California state regulations. This is a direct consequence of the negligence and legal violations in the handling and dissemination of information related to this instance of identity theft. 

I demand immediate action to : Cease the publication of all information related to the erroneous judgment stemming from identity theft, in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 of the FCRA and California Civil Code 1785.16. 

Rectify my credit reports and all relevant records to reflect the fraudulent nature of this judgment, ensuring compliance with 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) of the FCRA and the accuracy mandates of the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act.

Provide a detailed explanation of the steps taken to ensure this situation is resolved permanently and to prevent similar occurrences in the future, outlining your adherence to federal and California state laws protecting consumers from identity theft and inaccurate credit reporting. 

Failure to take prompt and appropriate action will leave me with no alternative but to pursue all available legal remedies under federal and California state law to protect my rights and seek compensation for the damages incurred as a result of this ongoing injustice, including but not limited to filing a lawsuit for violations of the FCRA, the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act, and defamation under California Civil Code 44 and 45.

Sincerely, [ Your Name ] [ Your Contact Information ] [ Date ] Witho Subject : Formal Complaint and Demand for Immediate Action Regarding Identity Theft, Erroneous Judgment, and Defamation To Whom It May Concern, This letter serves as a formal complaint and demands immediate action to rectify the severe injustices I am enduring as a result of identity theft, an erroneous judgment against my name, and the subsequent publication of defamatory information. 

I am a victim of identity theft, wherein an unauthorized individual fraudulently used my personal information, leading to a judgment that is not legitimately mine. This constitutes a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028 ( federal Identity Theft statute ) and California Penal Code 530.5 ( California state Identity Theft law ). Despite providing evidence of this fraudulent activity, including the filing of a Third report with the FTC on XX/XX/year>, submission of a Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Identity Theft Report on XX/XX/year>, and communication with Equifax disputing the debt on XX/XX/year>, the erroneous judgment continues to be reflected on my records.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation