Consumer complaint received 2024-02-02 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: VA

Complaint narrative:
I have never given Equifax written permission to have nor share my financial information which consist of my transaction history ( It is against the law to share transaction history- that is ILLEGAL ), opening of my accounts, types of accounts, full name, address, phone #, XXXX,, etc. Due to the actions of Equifax, I have faced socioeconomic discrimination in regard to credit transactions and I have been injured by the furnishings ( of my non-public personal information provided to financial institution and others ) of the respondent. I have been denied credit and access to my human right of realization pursuant to 42 USC 1981. Pursuant to 15 USC 1681b Permissible Purposes ( 2 ), the respondent was never granted written consent. If in any way the respondent was granted written consent, it was granted to the respondent by way of extrinsic fraud and I the consumer rescind the respondent 's authority. Per the FCRA, the term consumer report does not include : Any report containing information solely about transactions or experiences between the consumer and the institution making the report any authorization or approval of a specific extension of credit directly or indirectly by the issuer of a credit card or similar device. These actions have caused socioeconomic discrimination against me for I have been denied credit transactions due to the furnishing of the respondent. I the consumer has never received a privacy notice. Privacy notices must be clear and conspicuous, meaning they must be reasonably understandable and designed to call attention to the nature and significance of the information contained in the notice. The regulation does not prescribe specific methods for making a notice clear and conspicuous but does provide examples of ways in which to achieve the standard, such as the use of short explanatory sentences or bullet lists and the use of plain-language headings and easily readable typeface and type size. Privacy notices also must accurately reflect the institutions privacy practices per Regulation P - Privacy of Consumer Financial Information. I would hope they heavily consider their oath whereas it states " I solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of attorney, and that I will conduct myself at all times with integrity and civility. '' Any action against this oath is misconduct and actionable per se.The XXXX parties who received this information are Banks, XXXX, etc. As the consumer I feel betrayed and mislead that this was taking place without my knowledge and most importantly my consent. These unfair and misleading practices have caused me both emotional and physical harm. I have made attempts to do business with other banks only to be told that they can not proceed with opening a bank account in my name due to reports received and the system not allowing them to move forward.. This is a violation of Privacy Act of XXXX - establishes a code of fair information practices that governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of information about individuals that is maintained in systems of records by federal agencies. A system of records is a group of records under the control of an agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifier assigned to the individual. The Privacy Act requires that agencies give the public notice of their systems of records by publication in the XXXX XXXX. The Privacy Act prohibits the disclosure of a record about an individual from a system of records absent the written consent of the individual, unless the disclosure is pursuant to XXXX of XXXX statutory exceptions. The XXXX also provides individuals with a means by which to seek access to and amendment of their records, and sets forth various agency record-keeping requirements. Fair Credit Reporting Act - The Act ( Title VI of the Consumer Credit Protection Act ) protects information collected by consumer reporting agencies such as credit bureaus, medical information companies and tenant screening services. Information in a consumer report can not be provided to anyone who does not have a purpose specified in the XXXX. Companies that provide information to consumer reporting agencies also have specific legal obligations, including the duty to investigate disputed information. In addition, users of the information for credit, insurance, or employment purposes must notify the consumer when an adverse action is taken on the basis of such reports. The XXXX and Accurate Credit Transactions Act added many provisions to this XXXX primarily relating to record accuracy and identity theft. The Dodd-Frank Act transferred to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX the rulemaking responsibilities added to this Act by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act and the Credit CARD Act, but the Commission retains XXXX its enforcement authority. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX- Congressional findings and statement of purpose - Accuracy and fairness of credit reporting. The XXXX makes the following findings : ( XXXX ) The banking system is dependent upon fair and accurate credit reporting. Inaccurate credit reports directly impair the efficiency of the banking system, and unfair credit reporting methods undermine the public confidence which is essential to the continued functioning of the banking system. ( XXXX ) An elaborate mechanism has been developed for investigating and evaluating the credit worthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, character, and general reputation of consumers. ( XXXX ) Consumer reporting agencies have assumed a vital role in assembling and evaluating consumer credit and other information on consumers. ( XXXX ) There is a need to insure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumers right to privacy. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Protection of nonpublic personal information- ( a ) Privacy obligation policy : It is the policy of the XXXX that each financial institution has an affirmative and continuing obligation to respect the privacy of its customers and to protect the security and confidentiality of those customers nonpublic personal information. ( b ) Financial institutions safeguards In furtherance of the policy in subsection ( a ), each agency or authority described in section 6805 ( a ) of this title, other than the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, shall establish appropriate standards for the financial institutions subject to their jurisdiction relating to administrative, technical, and physical safeguards ( 1 ) to insure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information ; ( 2 ) to protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records ; and ( 3 ) to protect against unauthorized access to or use of such records or information which could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. 15 U.S. Code 6802 - Obligations with respect to disclosures of personal information - Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, a financial institution may not, directly or through any affiliate, disclose to a nonaffiliated third party any nonpublic personal information, unless such financial institution provides or has provided to the consumer a notice that complies with section 6803 of this title : ( b ) Opt out ( 1 ) In general A financial institution may not disclose nonpublic personal information to a nonaffiliated third party unless ( A ) such financial institution clearly and conspicuously discloses to the consumer, in writing or in electronic form or other form permitted by the regulations prescribed under section 6804 of this title, that such information may be disclosed to such third party ; ( B ) the consumer is given the opportunity, before the time that such information is initially disclosed, to direct that such information not be disclosed to such third party ; and ( C ) the consumer is given an explanation of how the consumer can exercise that nondisclosure option. ( 2 ) Exception This subsection shall not prevent a financial institution from providing nonpublic personal information to a nonaffiliated third party to perform services for or functions on behalf of the financial institution, including marketing of the financial institutions own products or services, or financial products or services offered pursuant to joint agreements between two or more financial institutions that comply with the requirements imposed by the regulations prescribed under section 6804 of this title, if the financial institution fully discloses the providing of such information and enters into a contractual agreement with the third party that requires the third party to maintain the confidentiality of such information. ( c ) Limits on reuse of information Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, a nonaffiliated third party that receives from a financial institution nonpublic personal information under this section shall not, directly or through an affiliate of such receiving third party, disclose such information to any other person that is a nonaffiliated third party of both the financial institution and such receiving third party, unless such disclosure would be lawful if made directly to such other person by the financial institution. ( d ) Limitations on the sharing of account number information for marketing purposes A financial institution shall not disclose, other than to a consumer reporting agency, an account number or similar form of access number or access code for a credit card account, deposit account, or transaction account of a consumer to any nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing, or other marketing through electronic mail to the consumer.

( e ) General exceptions Subsections ( a ) and ( b ) shall not prohibit the disclosure of nonpublic personal information ( 1 ) as necessary to effect, administer, or enforce a transaction requested or authorized by the consumer, or in connection with ( A ) servicing or processing a financial product or service requested or authorized by the consumer ; ( B ) maintaining or servicing the consumers account with the financial institution, or with another entity as part of a private label credit card program or other extension of credit on behalf of such entity ; or ( C ) a proposed or actual securitization, secondary market sale ( including sales of servicing rights ), or similar transaction related to a transaction of the consumer ; ( 2 ) with the consent or at the direction of the consumer ; ( 3 ) ( A ) to protect the confidentiality or security of the financial institutions records pertaining to the consumer, the service or product, or the transaction therein ; ( B ) to protect against or prevent actual or potential fraud, unauthorized transactions, claims, or other liability ; ( C ) for required institutional risk control, or for resolving customer disputes or inquiries ; ( D ) to persons holding a legal or beneficial interest relating to the consumer ; or ( E ) to persons acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity on behalf of the consumer ; ( 4 ) to provide information to insurance rate advisory organizations, guaranty funds or agencies, applicable rating agencies of the financial institution, persons assessing the institutions compliance with industry standards, and the institutions attorneys, accountants, and auditors ; ( 5 ) to the extent specifically permitted or required under other provisions of law and in accordance with the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 [ 12 U.S.C. 3401 et seq. ], to law enforcement agencies ( including the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection [ 1 ] a Federal functional regulator, the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, and chapter 2 of title I of Public Law 91508 ( 12 U.S.C. 19511959 ), a State insurance authority, or the Federal Trade Commission ), self-regulatory organizations, or for an investigation on a matter related to public safety ; ( 6 ) ( A ) to a consumer reporting agency in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act [ 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ], or ( B ) from a consumer report reported by a consumer reporting agency ; ( 7 ) in connection with a proposed or actual sale, merger, transfer, or exchange of all or a portion of a business or operating unit if the disclosure of nonpublic personal information concerns solely consumers of such business or unit; or ( 8 ) to comply with Federal, State, or local laws, rules, and other applicable legal requirements ; to comply with a properly authorized civil, criminal, or regulatory investigation or subpoena or summons by Federal, State, or local authorities ; or to respond to judicial process or government regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the financial institution for examination, compliance, or other purposes as authorized by law. 15 U.S. Code 6803 - Disclosure of institution privacy policy- ( a ) Disclosure required At the time of establishing a customer relationship with a consumer and not less than annually during the continuation of such relationship, a financial institution shall provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure to such consumer, in writing or in electronic form or other form permitted by the regulations prescribed under section 6804 of this title, of such financial institutions policies and practices with respect to ( 1 ) disclosing nonpublic personal information to affiliates and nonaffiliated third parties, consistent with section 6802 of this title, including the categories of information that may be disclosed ; ( 2 ) disclosing nonpublic personal information of persons who have ceased to be customers of the financial institution; and ( 3 ) protecting the nonpublic personal information of consumers. ( b ) Regulations Disclosures required by subsection ( a ) shall be made in accordance with the regulations prescribed under section 6804 of this title. ( c ) Information to be included The disclosure required by subsection ( a ) shall include ( 1 ) the policies and practices of the institution with respect to disclosing nonpublic personal information to nonaffiliated third parties, other than agents of the institution, consistent with section 6802 of this title, and including ( A ) the categories of persons to whom the information is or may be disclosed, other than the persons to whom the information may be provided pursuant to section 6802 ( e ) of this title ; and ( B ) the policies and practices of the institution with respect to disclosing of nonpublic personal information of persons who have ceased to be customers of the financial institution ; ( 2 ) the categories of nonpublic personal information that are collected by the financial institution ; ( 3 ) the policies that the institution maintains to protect the confidentiality and security of nonpublic personal information in accordance with section 6801 of this title ; and ( 4 ) the disclosures required, if any, under section 1681a ( d ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( iii ) of this title.

( d ) Exemption for certified public accountants ( 1 ) In general The disclosure requirements of subsection ( a ) do not apply to any person, to the extent that the person is ( A ) a certified public accountant ; ( B ) certified or licensed for such purpose by a State ; and ( C ) subject to any provision of law, rule, or regulation issued by a legislative or regulatory body of the State, including rules of professional conduct or ethics, that prohibits disclosure of nonpublic personal information without the knowing and expressed consent of the consumer. ( 2 ) Limitation Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to exempt or otherwise exclude any financial institution that is affiliated or becomes affiliated with a certified public accountant described in paragraph ( 1 ) from any provision of this section. ( 3 ) Definitions For purposes of this subsection, the term State means any State or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX, the Trust Territory of the XXXX XXXX, the XXXX XXXX, or the XXXX XXXX XXXX. ( e ) Model forms ( 1 ) In general The agencies referred to in section 6804 ( a ) ( 1 ) of this title shall jointly develop a model form which may be used, at the option of the financial institution, for the provision of disclosures under this section. ( 2 ) Format A model form developed under paragraph ( 1 ) shall ( A ) be comprehensible to consumers, with a clear format and design ; ( B ) provide for clear and conspicuous disclosures ; ( C ) enable consumers easily to identify the sharing practices of a financial institution and to compare privacy practices among financial institutions ; and ( D ) be succinct, and use an easily readable type font. ( 3 ) Timing A model form required to be developed by this subsection shall be issued in proposed form for public comment not later than 180 days after XX/XX/XXXX. ( XXXX ) Safe harbor Any financial institution that elects to provide the model form developed by the agencies under this subsection shall be deemed to be in compliance with the disclosures required under this section. ( f ) Exception to annual notice requirement A financial institution that ( 1 ) provides nonpublic personal information only in accordance with the provisions of subsection ( b ) ( 2 ) or ( e ) of section 6802 of this title or regulations prescribed under section 6804 ( b ) of this title, and ( 2 ) has not changed its policies and practices with regard to disclosing nonpublic personal information from the policies and practices that were disclosed in the most recent disclosure sent to consumers in accordance with this section, shall not be required to provide an annual disclosure under this section until such time as the financial institution fails to comply with any criteria described in paragraph ( 1 ) or ( 2 ). 15 U.S. Code 6804 - Rulemaking - ( a ) Regulatory authority ( 1 ) Rulemaking ( A ) In general Except as provided in subparagraph ( C ), the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection and the Securities and Exchange Commission shall have authority to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter with respect to financial institutions and other persons subject to their respective jurisdiction under section 6805 of this title ( and notwithstanding subtitle B of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 [ 12 U.S.C. 5511 et seq. ] ), except that the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall not have authority to prescribe regulations with respect to the standards under section 6801 of this title. 

( B ) CFTC The Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall have authority to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter with respect to financial institutions and other persons subject to the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission under section 7b2 of title 7. ( C ) Federal Trade Commission authority Notwithstanding the authority of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection under subparagraph ( A ), the Federal Trade Commission shall have authority to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter with respect to any financial institution that is a person described in section 1029 ( a ) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 [ 12 U.S.C. 5519 ( a ) ]. ( D ) Rule of construction Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to alter, affect, or otherwise limit the authority of a State insurance authority to adopt regulations to carry out this subchapter. ( 2 ) Coordination, consistency, and comparability Each of the agencies authorized under paragraph ( 1 ) to prescribe regulations shall consult and coordinate with the other such agencies and, as appropriate, and with [ 1 ] representatives of State insurance authorities designated by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, for the purpose of assuring, to the extent possible, that the regulations prescribed by each such agency are consistent and comparable with the regulations prescribed by the other such agencies. ( XXXX ) Procedures and deadline Such regulations shall be prescribed in accordance with applicable requirements of title XXXX. ( b ) Authority to grant exceptions The regulations prescribed under subsection ( a ) may include such additional exceptions to subsections ( a ) through ( d ) of section 6802 of this title as are deemed consistent with the purposes of this subchapter. 15 U.S. Code 6805 - Enforcement - ( a ) In general Subject to subtitle B of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 [ 12 U.S.C. 5511 et seq. ], this subchapter and the regulations prescribed thereunder shall be enforced by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, the Federal functional regulators, the State insurance authorities, and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to financial institutions and other persons subject to their jurisdiction under applicable law, as follows : ( 1 ) Under section 1818 of title 12, by the appropriate Federal banking agency, as defined in section 1813 ( q ) of title 12, in the case of ( A ) national banks, Federal branches and Federal agencies of foreign banks, and any subsidiaries of such entities ( except brokers, dealers, persons providing insurance, investment companies, and investment advisers ) ; ( B ) member banks of the Federal Reserve System ( other than national banks ), branches and agencies of foreign banks ( other than Federal branches, Federal agencies, and insured State branches of foreign banks ), commercial lending companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, organizations operating under section 25 or 25A of the Federal Reserve Act [ 12 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 611 et seq. ], and bank holding companies and their nonbank subsidiaries or affiliates ( except brokers, dealers, persons providing insurance, investment companies, and investment advisers ) ; ( C ) banks insured by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( other than members of the Federal Reserve XXXX ), insured XXXX branches of foreign banks, and any subsidiaries of such entities ( except brokers, dealers, persons providing insurance, investment companies, and investment advisers ) ; and ( D ) savings associations the deposits of which are insured by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and any subsidiaries of such savings associations ( except brokers, dealers, persons providing insurance, investment companies, and investment advisers ). ( XXXX ) Under the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX [ XXXX XXXX. XXXX et seq. ], by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX with respect to any federally insured credit union, and any subsidiaries of such an entity. ( 3 ) Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [ 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq. ], by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to any broker or dealer.

( 4 ) Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 [ 15 U.S.C. 80a1 et seq. ], by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to investment companies. ( 5 ) Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 [ 15 U.S.C. 80b1 et seq. ], by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to investment advisers registered with the Commission under such Act. ( 6 ) Under State insurance law, in the case of any person engaged in providing insurance, by the applicable State insurance authority of the State in which the person is domiciled, subject to section 6701 of this title. ( 7 ) Under the Federal Trade Commission Act [ 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq. ], by the Federal Trade Commission for any other financial institution or other person that is not subject to the jurisdiction of any agency or authority under paragraphs ( 1 ) through ( 6 ) of this subsection. ( 8 ) Under subtitle E of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 [ 12 U.S.C. 5561 et seq. ], by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, in the case of any financial institution and other covered person or service provider that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Bureau and any person subject to this subchapter, but not with respect to the standards under section 6801 of this title. ( b ) Enforcement of section 6801 ( 1 ) In general Except as provided in paragraph ( 2 ), the agencies and authorities described in subsection ( a ), other than the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, shall implement the standards prescribed under section 6801 ( b ) of this title in the same manner, to the extent practicable, as standards prescribed pursuant to section 1831p1 ( a ) of title 12 are implemented pursuant to such section. ( 2 ) Exception The agencies and authorities described in paragraphs ( 3 ), ( 4 ), ( 5 ), ( 6 ), and ( 7 ) of subsection ( a ) shall implement the standards prescribed under section 6801 ( b ) of this title by rule with respect to the financial institutions and other persons subject to their respective jurisdictions under subsection ( a ). ( c ) Absence of State action If a State insurance authority fails to adopt regulations to carry out this subchapter, such State shall not be eligible to override, pursuant to section 1831x ( g ) ( 2 ) ( B ) ( iii ) of title 12, the insurance customer protection regulations prescribed by a Federal banking agency under section 1831x ( a ) of title 12. ( d ) Definitions The terms used in subsection ( a ) ( 1 ) that are not defined in this subchapter or otherwise defined in section 1813 ( s ) of title 12 shall have the same meaning as given in section 3101 of title 12. 16 CFR Part 313 - PART 313PRIVACY OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL INFORMATION. 16 CFR 433.1 - Definitions. 16 CFR 433.2 - Preservation of consumers ' claims and defenses, unfair or deceptive acts or practices- In connection with any sale or lease of goods or services to consumers, in or affecting commerce as commerce is defined in the Federal Trade Commission XXXX, it is an unfair or deceptive act or practice within the meaning of section XXXX of that Act for a seller, directly or indirectly, to : ( a ) Take or receive a consumer credit contract which fails to contain the following provision in at least XXXX point, bold face, type : NOTICE - ANY HOLDER OF THIS CONSUMER CREDIT CONTRACT IS SUBJECT TO ALL CLAIMS AND DEFENSES WHICH THE DEBTOR COULD ASSERT AGAINST THE SELLER OF GOODS OR SERVICES OBTAINED PURSUANT HERETO OR WITH THE PROCEEDS HEREOF. RECOVERY HEREUNDER BY THE DEBTOR SHALL NOT EXCEED AMOUNTS PAID BY THE DEBTOR HEREUNDER. Or, ( b ) Accept, as full or partial payment for such sale or lease, the proceeds of any purchase money loan ( as purchase money loan is defined herein ), unless any consumer credit contract made in connection with such purchase money loan contains the following provision in at least XXXX point, bold face, type : NOTICE ANY HOLDER OF THIS CONSUMER CREDIT CONTRACT IS SUBJECT TO ALL CLAIMS AND DEFENSES WHICH THE DEBTOR COULD ASSERT AGAINST THE SELLER OF GOODS OR SERVICES OBTAINED WITH THE PROCEEDS HEREOF. RECOVERY HEREUNDER BY THE DEBTOR SHALL NOT EXCEED AMOUNTS PAID BY THE DEBTOR HEREUNDER. 16 CFR 433.3 - XXXX of sellers taking or receiving open end consumer credit contracts before XX/XX/XXXX from requirements of XXXX ( a ). - ( a ) Any seller who has taken or received an open end consumer credit contract before XX/XX/XXXX, shall be exempt from the requirements of 16 CFR part 433 with respect to such contract provided the contract does not cut off consumers ' claims and defenses. ( b ) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this exemption : ( XXXX ) All pertinent definitions contained in 16 CFR 433.1. ( 2 ) Open end consumer credit contract : a consumer credit contract pursuant to which open end credit is extended. ( 3 ) Open end credit : consumer credit extended on an account pursuant to a plan under which a creditor may permit an applicant to make purchases or make loans, from time to time, directly from the creditor or indirectly by use of a credit card, check, or other device, as the plan may provide. The term does not include negotiated advances under an open-end real estate mortgage or a letter of credit. ( 4 ) Contract which does not cut off consumers ' claims and defenses : A consumer credit contract which does not constitute or contain a negotiable instrument, or contain any waiver, limitation, term, or condition which has the effect of limiting a consumer 's right to assert against any holder of the contract all legally sufficient claims and defenses which the consumer could assert against the seller of goods or services purchased pursuant to the contract.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation