Consumer complaint received 2024-12-19 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: FL

Complaint narrative:
This letter serves as a formal complaint to address the repeated and egregious violations committed by Equifax regarding a fraudulent account and unauthorized inquiries on my credit report. Despite multiple attempts to resolve these inaccuracies, more than 90 days have passed since my initial dispute, far exceeding the legally mandated 30-day period for resolution under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ). The credit bureaus have failed to comply with federal and state laws requiring the removal and blocking of fraudulent accounts and inquiries.

Violations Committed : Failure to Investigate and Resolve Disputes : Under FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), credit bureaus are required to investigate and resolve disputes within 30 days. Despite providing evidence of fraudulent activity, the inaccuracies on my credit report remain unresolved.

Failure to Notify of Negative Information : Creditors are required under 15 U.S.C. 1692g to notify consumers within five days of reporting a debt. I was not notified of these fraudulent accounts or inquiries.

Failure to Ensure Maximum Accuracy : FCRA 607 ( b ) mandates credit bureaus to ensure the maximum accuracy of the information they report. Discrepancies in balances, reporting dates, and credit limits indicate noncompliance.

Failure to Remove and Block Fraudulent Accounts : Upon receipt of evidence of identity theft, credit bureaus are required under FCRA 605B to remove and block fraudulent accounts and inquiries. Despite substantial evidence provided, these inaccuracies remain.

Failure to Protect Consumer Data : Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( 15 U.S.C. 6801-6809 ), credit bureaus must safeguard consumer information. The fraudulent accounts on my credit report demonstrate a failure to protect my data.

Identity Theft Protections Ignored : The Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act ( 18 U.S.C. 1028 ) criminalizes unauthorized use of personal information. The fraudulent accounts and the inaction by credit bureaus violate my rights under this statute.

State Law Violations : Under Florida Statute 817.568, identity theft is addressed as a criminal offense. The credit bureaus failure to act constitutes a violation of state protections. 

Fraudulent Account : XXXX - Account Number : XXXX Requested Resolution : Under FCRA 605B, I demand the immediate removal and permanent blocking of the above fraudulent account and inquiries from my credit report. Additionally, I request : A thorough investigation into the reporting failures and evidence of identity theft. 

Written confirmation of the removal and blocking of this account and inquiries. 

Implementation of fraud alerts and compliance with federal and state identity theft protections. 

A comprehensive review of my credit report to ensure maximum accuracy and adherence to legal obligations. 

The continued presence of these fraudulent accounts has caused significant financial harm and emotional distress. If these issues are not resolved promptly, I will pursue legal action to protect my rights and escalate this matter to other regulatory authorities. 




Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation