Consumer complaint received 2025-03-01 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: AZ

Complaint narrative:
I am writing to formally dispute the continued and erroneous reporting of a charged-off account ( Account Number : XXXX ) on my credit reports with TransUnion, Equifax, and XXXX. Despite my previous disputes and overwhelming evidence of identity theft and fraudulent activity, you have repeatedly verified this account, causing significant harm to my credit score and financial standing. This letter serves as a demand for immediate correction of these inaccuracies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. ) and other consumer protection laws, including but not limited to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) and the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ). Failure to rectify this matter will result in escalated legal action to protect my rights as a consumer. 

On or around XX/XX/XXXX, an account was opened in my name with WebBank/Fingerhut without my knowledge, authorization, or consent. I first discovered this fraudulent account in XX/XX/XXXX, after a package I never received was wrongfully charged to me, leading to a reported charge-off of {$630.00} as of XX/XX/XXXX. I have provided detailed evidence, including : XXXXXX/XX/XXXXSummary Incident Report ( Report Number : XXXX ) dated XX/XX/XXXX, documenting the theft of a package ( Timberland boots ) intended for delivery to my address, which I never received. 

Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Identity Theft Report ( Report Number : XXXX ) dated XX/XX/XXXX, confirming that I am a victim of identity theft and that this account is fraudulent. 

XXXX, TransUnion, and Equifax credit reports showing inconsistencies and inaccuracies, including : The account is reported as a " Charge Card '' or " Revolving '' account with a charge-off status, despite my never opening or using it. 
Discrepancies in credit limits ( {$1000.00} on XXXX, {$1000.00} on TransUnion, {$2900.00} on Equifax ), monthly payments ( {$0.00} across all bureaus ), and payment history, which includes " Charge Off '' ( CO ) and delinquencies ( 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 days past due ) that I never incurred. 
The last reported activity and payment dates ( e.g., XX/XX/XXXX on TransUnion and Equifax, XX/XX/XXXX on XXXX ) are inconsistent and do not reflect any legitimate activity on my part. 

Comments on the reports, such as Account closed at consumers request ( XXXX ) and Charged off as bad debt ( TransUnion ), are misleading and factually incorrect, as I never requested the accounts closure or incurred any debt. 
These inaccuracies are not only erroneous but also violate my rights under the FCRA, which mandates that credit reporting agencies and furnishers, like XXXX , ensure the accuracy and completeness of reported information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) and 1681i ). Your failure to investigate and correct this fraudulent reporting constitutes a willful or negligent violation of these provisions.

Your continued verification of this fraudulent account, despite clear evidence of identity theft and my disputes, violates the following laws : Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : Under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ), you, as the furnisher of credit information, have a duty to conduct a reasonable investigation within 30 days of receiving a dispute from a consumer or credit bureau . You have failed to do so, as evidenced by your repeated verification of this account without addressing the identity theft documentation I provided.

15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) requires that credit information be accurate and complete. The inconsistencies in credit limits, payment history, and account status across the bureaus demonstrate a clear lack of accuracy.

Your actions have caused harm to my creditworthiness, constituting a violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681o ( negligent noncompliance ) or 1681n ( willful noncompliance ), which may entitle me to actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys fees. 
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) : If WebBank/Fingerhut or any associated debt collector has attempted to collect on this fraudulent debt, such actions violate the FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ), as you can not legally collect on a debt I do not owe and that resulted from identity theft. Reporting this debt to credit bureaus without verifying its legitimacy further breaches FDCPA protections against unfair or deceptive practices.

Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) : TILA requires clear disclosure of credit terms and prohibits unauthorized charges. The opening of this account without my consent and the subsequent charge-off for a package I never received violate TILAs consumer protection provisions. 

I demand that you : Immediately cease reporting this fraudulent account ( Account XXXX : XXXX ) to TransUnion, Equifax, and XXXX. 
Conduct a thorough investigation into the identity theft and fraudulent nature of this account, including reviewing my FTC Identity Theft Report, XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX report, and all supporting documentation. 
Notify all three credit bureaus in writing to delete this account from my credit reports and correct any derogatory marks, including the charge-off, delinquencies, and negative payment history. 
Provide me with written confirmation within 15 days of this letter that the account has been removed and that no further reporting will occur. 
Failure to comply with this demand within 15 days from the date of this letter will result in my pursuit of legal action against XXXX , including filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), the FTC, and potentially initiating a lawsuit for damages under the FCRA, FDCPA, and TILA. I am prepared to seek statutory damages, actual damages for harm to my credit, punitive damages for willful violations, and attorneys fees.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation