Consumer complaint received 2025-01-18 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Failure to Delete Fraudulent Accounts and Conduct Reasonable Investigations ( Equifax - XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ; XXXX - XXXX and Defer It ) I am filing a complaint against Equifax and XXXX for their failure to remove fraudulent accounts from my credit reports. Despite providing substantial evidence proving these accounts are not mine, they continue to validate them through inadequate investigations and improper reliance on automated systems like XXXX. These actions violate federal law, and their failure to comply has caused ongoing harm to my financial stability. 

Details of the Issue : 1. Fraudulent Accounts : Equifax : XXXX and XXXX accounts. 
XXXX : XXXX and Defer It accounts. 

These accounts do not belong to me. None of the addresses associated with these accounts match my public records, and I have never received or benefited from the services tied to these accounts. Additionally, there are no inquiries on my credit report from any of these creditors, further proving the accounts are fraudulent.

2. Evidence Provided : I have submitted the following evidence to both credit bureaus multiple times : Police reports.

IC3 reports.

Copies of my Social Security card, drivers license, and utility bills. 

Despite this evidence, the accounts remain on my credit reports, and the bureaus continue to validate the information through flawed processes. 
XXXX. Investigation Failures : Both Equifax and XXXX exceeded the 30-day investigation period mandated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ).

I have had to call repeatedly, only to be told the accounts would be removed in XXXX hours or that investigations are still ongoing, even after several months. 
Investigations were allegedly conducted using e-OSCAR, an automated system owned by the credit bureaus themselves, which amounts to fact-checking in-house rather than conducting a reasonable and impartial investigation as required by the FCRA. 
Rejections of my disputes were issued at unreasonable times, such as XXXX a.m., indicating the use of artificial intelligence or automated systems that fail to thoroughly review disputes. 

XXXX. XXXX Account Spoofing Claim : XXXX claims the account was validated because someone called using my phone number. This explanation is insufficient, as I have taken steps to secure my information, including locking my credit with security freezes. Additionally, modern spoofing techniques make phone number verification unreliable. 
XXXX. Pattern of Improper Practices : Both Equifax and XXXX have a history of failing to conduct proper investigations and are known for using inadequate automated processes to handle disputes. Equifax, in particular, is currently facing lawsuits for improper credit reporting investigations and failure to comply with FCRA requirements. 

Violation of XXXX XXXX : These actions violate the following provisions of the FCRA : 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Requiring credit reporting agencies to conduct a reasonable investigation of disputed information and resolve disputes within 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) : Obligating data furnishers to conduct a thorough investigation and correct or delete inaccurate information. 

By failing to conduct reasonable investigations, relying on flawed systems like e-OSCAR, and exceeding the XXXX investigation period, Equifax and XXXX are in violation of federal law. 

Impact on My Life : These fraudulent accounts are hindering my ability to secure housing and employment. Despite my efforts to provide overwhelming evidence of identity theft, Equifax and XXXX improper handling of my disputes has caused significant financial and emotional distress. I have had to change my number 4 times since XXXX due to data leaks. 

Resolution Requested : I request that the CFPB : 1. Investigate Equifax and XXXX handling of these disputes to determine if their practices comply with the FCRA. 
2. Require Equifax and XXXX to delete the fraudulent accounts ( XXXX, XXXX, and Defer It ) from my credit reports immediately. 
XXXX. Ensure both bureaus revise their investigation processes to comply with federal laws and cease reliance on automated systems like e-OSCAR for disputes involving identity theft. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief