Consumer complaint received 2025-02-24 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, On XX/XX/year>, and XX/XX/year>, I submitted a formal dispute, including : A valid FTC Identity Theft Report Proof of Identity ( ID Verification, supporting documentation ) A formal dispute letter demanding deletion of fraudulent accounts Under FCRA 605B, Equifax was required to block fraudulent accounts within 4 business days. Instead : During my phone call on XX/XX/year> at XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  Equifax Supervisor XXXX admitted that my dispute is still under investigation past the 4-business-day limit.

He confirmed that Equifax only removed the hard inquiries from my FTC report but refused to remove the fraudulent accounts, violating federal law. 
Equifax misled me by first requesting additional documentation, then telling me I didnt need to submit it. 
Equifax falsely claimed the account was verified but has refused to provide verification documents. 

EQUIFAXS FEDERAL LAW VIOLATIONS 1 Violation of FCRA 605B Failure to Block Identity Theft Accounts Within 4 Business Days Legal Requirement : FCRA 605B requires Equifax to block fraudulent accounts within 4 business days when the consumer submits : A valid FTC Identity Theft Report Proof of identity A written request for fraud removal Violation : Supervisor XXXX admitted that my dispute is still under investigation past the legal deadline. 
Equifax failed to block the fraudulent account but removed the hard inquiries, proving selective compliance. 

Legal Remedy : Equifax is now liable for statutory damages of {$1000.00} per violation, plus additional punitive damages. 

2 Violation of FCRA 609 & 611 False Claims of Verification Without Documentation Legal Requirement : If a credit bureau claims it verified an account, it must provide : A copy of all records used to verify the dispute The name, title, and contact information of the furnisher The method of verification Violation : Equifax falsely claimed it verified the account but failed to provide the required documentation.

No signed contract, payment records, or chain of title has been provided.

If Equifax can not provide documentation, the account must be deleted under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ).

Legal Remedy : Demand immediate deletion of the account since Equifax failed to verify it properly.

3 Violation of FCRA 1681e ( b ) Reporting Contradictory & Inaccurate Information Legal Requirement : If a creditor sells a debt, they can not continue to report it as an active charge-off.

The new owner must report the debt, or it must be deleted.

Violation : Equifax updated the balance to {$0.00}, meaning the account was sold, yet continues reporting it. 
If XXXX no longer owns the debt, Equifax can not report it under Nissans name. 

Legal Remedy : Demand immediate deletion since Equifax is misreporting the accounts ownership. 

XXXX Violation of CFPB UDAAP Laws ( 12 U.S.C. 5531 ) Unfair & Deceptive Practices Legal Requirement : The CFPB prohibits deceptive and unfair practices ( UDAAP ), including : Falsely claiming an account was verified without proof Misleading consumers about their dispute rights Deliberately delaying dispute resolution Violation : Equifax used misleading tactics by requesting documentation, then saying it wasnt needed.

Equifax repeatedly stalled and delayed the dispute, violating CFPB UDAAP laws.

Legal Remedy : File a CFPB complaint demanding an investigation into Equifaxs deceptive practices.

FINAL DEMAND REMOVE THESE ACCOUNTS IN 4 BUSINESS DAYS I am giving Equifax exactly 4 business days from the date of this letter to : 1 Immediately delete the XXXX XXXX XXXX account. 
2 Provide written confirmation that the account has been removed.

3 If Equifax claims this account is verified, provide ALL of the following documents : Signed contract proving I authorized the account.

The name, contact information, and method of verification used.

Payment records or validation from the original creditor.

Chain of title proving ownership of the account.

4 Cease all further reporting of this account.

5 Stop sending misleading dispute notifications.

LEGAL ACTION IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLY If Equifax fails to comply within 4 business days, I will take the following actions without further notice : File a Lawsuit Against Equifax in Small Claims or Federal Court File a formal complaint with the CFPB and FTC for investigation.

Report Equifax to my State Attorney General for consumer protection violations. 
Seek statutory damages of {$1000.00} per violation and compensation for harm to my creditworthiness.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation