Consumer complaint received 2024-12-16 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
Use of Stall Tactics and Failure to Block and Remove Fraudulent Accounts and Inquiries in Violation of FCRA Section 605B Complaint Details : This formal complaint is being submitted against the credit agency for their deliberate use of stall tactics and their failure to block and remove fraudulent accounts and inquiries from the credit reports as required by FCRA Section 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ). Despite submitting all required documentation, including an Identity Theft Report, Proof of Identity, and Proof of Address, the credit bureau has falsely claimed that the documents were " not received. '' However, USPS proof of delivery confirms that they received the dispute package on XX/XX/XXXX. The certified mail tracking numbers clearly show that each agency signed for and received the submission. Copies of the USPS tracking confirmation are attached to this complaint. 

This is a clear stall tactic to avoid compliance with FCRA Section 605B, which mandates the blocking and removal of fraudulent items within XXXX business days. As of today, XX/XX/XXXX, none of the fraudulent items have been blocked or removed from the credit reports. This is a direct violation of federal law. 

Fraudulent Accounts and Inquiries to be Removed XXXX XXXX Date of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX Date of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Unspecified Account Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Incorrect Personal Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, TX XXXX ( This address is incorrect and fraudulent ). 
Incorrect Employer : XXXX XXXXXXXX ( This employer is incorrect and must be removed ). 
These fraudulent accounts and inquiries were not opened or authorized. Despite submitting an Identity Theft Report, Proof of Identity, and Proof of Address, XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX have failed to remove these fraudulent items as required by FCRA Section 605B.

Violation of Federal Law ( FCRA Section 605B ) Under FCRA Section 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ), credit reporting agencies must : Block fraudulent accounts and inquiries within four business days of receiving an Identity Theft Report.

Permanently remove fraudulent accounts and inquiries unless the reporting creditor provides clear proof that the account is legitimate. 
The timeline is clear : XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX each received the dispute package. 
XX/XX/XXXX : Deadline to block and remove the items ( XXXX business days ). 
XX/XX/XXXX : As of today, none of the fraudulent items have been removed. 
All three bureaus have violated federal law by failing to block and remove the items listed above. Their excuse that " we did not receive the documents '' is a clear stall tactic and an attempt to avoid compliance. 

Stall Tactics and False Claims of " Missing Documents '' the bureau has falsely claimed that they did not receive the documents. 
This is factually false. Attached are USPS Certified Mail tracking and delivery confirmations for each submission to XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX. These tracking numbers confirm that the documents were received on XX/XX/XXXX. 

Additionally, under FCRA Section 605B, the bureaus are not permitted to " verify '' fraudulent items with the original creditor. Their duty is to block and remove the items within XXXX business days of receiving an Identity Theft Report. Their refusal to do so is an outright violation of federal law. 

Legal Consequences for Non-Compliance Failure to comply with FCRA Section 605B exposes XXXX  Equifax, and XXXX to the following penalties : Statutory damages of up to {$1000.00} per violation.

Actual damages for financial loss, emotional distress, and reputational harm.

Punitive damages for willful and reckless violations of the FCRA.

This is not a mere oversight this is a willful violation of consumer protection laws. The impact of this non-compliance includes financial harm, denial of credit, and unnecessary emotional distress.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief