Consumer complaint received 2025-07-10 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: IL

Complaint narrative:
This is formal complaint against Equifax Inc. for obstructing my ability to access credit, failing to disclose essential information, and providing contradictory and misleading responses, all of which have caused me measurable harm.

In XX/XX/XXXX, I applied for residential natural gas service from XXXX XXXX and was unexpectedly denied based solely on information provided by Equifax. At no time did Equifax provide me with notice or explanation for this denial. 

Upon investigation, I accessed my credit report directly and confirmed that my score was excellent ( XXXX ), with no derogatory marks, no late payments, and no history of negative credit activity. I then called Equifax customer service. The representative verified that there were no holds, freezes, or derogatory items on my file. 

After contacting XXXX again, they advised that the denial was solely due to Equifax reporting me as a credit risk, without further explanation. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I called Equifax a second time. After a long hold, a representative confirmed that while my credit file showed no freezes or holds, an internal block had been applied to my file. When asked for an explanation, I was told that it may be due to a data mismatch but was not provided any details about what data triggered this action or when it occurred. 

I escalated the matter to a supervisor, who similarly refused to explain why the block was applied, when it was applied, or by whom. The supervisor assured me that fraud was not involved, yet also admitted that they could not see the data mismatch that caused the block. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I submitted copies of my Social Security card and drivers license as requested to clear this block. Between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX, I received five letters from Equifax : Four letters data ( XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ) stated : The results of our investigation - There is no internal block reporting on your Equifax credit file. 
One letter ( dated XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  ) stated that Equifax was unable to locate a credit file using the information I submitted and please send verifying information for me using the very same information they had just used to conduct investigations and then said was unable to be used to locate my credit file. 
NOTE : this letter validates every aspect of my complaint and that the block has been placed on my report for some reason that you have denied in writing multiple time. 

This conflicting and contradictory correspondence demonstrates gross mismanagement and deliberate obstruction by Equifax. 

The impact of these failures has been substantial : I was denied a critical utility service ( natural gas ). 
Remain at significant risk of a compromised credit report I spent considerable time and expense resolving this issue. 
I have suffered ongoing stress and uncertainty about my credit standing. 

Attached are copies of all correspondence with Equifax, including letters demonstrating their contradictory responses.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation