Consumer complaint received 2025-02-16 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
# # # **Complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) ** **Subject : ** Complaint Against Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion for Securities Fraud , False and Misleading Statements, and Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices **To Whom It May Concern, ** I am filing a formal complaint against **Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion** for engaging in fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices that violate multiple federal laws, including but not limited to : - **False and misleading statements** regarding their handling of consumer credit data. 
- **Unfair and deceptive business practices** in violation of federal consumer protection statutes. 
- **Failure to disclose personal information usage and provide opt-out rights** as required by law. 
- **Failure to provide legally required grace periods for late payments. ** These violations have caused me financial harm and deprived me of my **federally protected rights as a consumer. ** I request an immediate **investigation and enforcement action** against these companies. 

-- - # # **1. Violations of Consumer Financial Privacy Laws** # # # **Failure to Comply with Notice and Opt-Out Requirements ( 15 U.S.C. 6802 & 16 CFR Part 313 ) ** - **Experian, Equifax , and TransUnion** have failed to comply with **15 U.S.C. 6802**, which **requires financial institutions to provide clear notice** to consumers before disclosing their personal financial information to third parties.

- These companies have **not properly provided notice** nor honored my right to **opt out of any and all authorizations, whether written, unwritten, verbal, or non-verbal** as required by law.

- Their actions directly violate **16 CFR Part 313**, which governs the **Privacy of Consumer Financial Information** and mandates transparency in data collection and sharing.

# # # **Failure to Comply with Enforcement Obligations ( 15 U.S.C. 6805 ) ** - The Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) and CFPB are charged with **enforcing compliance with consumer financial privacy laws** under **15 U.S.C. 6805**.

- I request immediate regulatory intervention to ensure that Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion comply with these obligations.

-- - # # **2. False and Misleading Statements / Securities Fraud** - These companies have made **publicly misleading statements** regarding their compliance with federal consumer protection laws.

- They have falsely represented their adherence to the **Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) ** and **other federal regulations** while engaging in practices that actively harm consumers.

- Such misrepresentations constitute **securities fraud** under federal law, as they **deceive investors and regulators** about the true nature of their business operations.

-- - # # **3. Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices ( 16 CFR 433.2 ) ** Under **16 CFR 433.2**, companies are prohibited from engaging in **unfair or deceptive acts or practices** that deprive consumers of their rights. **Experian, Equifax , and TransUnion** have engaged in such practices by : - **Reporting inaccurate, outdated, and misleading information** on credit reports, despite federal obligations to ensure accuracy. 
- **Failing to correct errors** when consumers dispute them, leading to unjust denials of credit, financial hardship, and reputational damage. 
- **Profiting from the collection and sale of consumer credit data** while failing to compensate or properly notify affected individuals. 

Their deceptive actions **violate federal regulations designed to protect consumer financial interests** and should be subject to immediate enforcement actions. 

-- - # # **4. Failure to Provide Legally Required Grace Period for Late Payments ( 15 U.S.C. 1666 ( b ) ) ** - **Experian, Equifax , and TransUnion** have also failed to honor the **grace period requirement** set forth under **15 U.S.C. 1666 ( b ) ** regarding late payments.

- The law **clearly requires** that consumers be given a fair opportunity to satisfy their transactions **before being penalized** with negative credit reporting. 
- Despite this requirement, these companies **have unfairly reported late payments**, causing financial harm and making it more difficult for consumers to obtain credit. 

-- - # # XXXX. Harm Suffered by the Consumer ( Myself ) ** Due to these fraudulent and deceptive practices, I have suffered the following damages : - **Financial Loss** Due to inaccurate credit reporting, I have faced **denials of credit, increased interest rates, and other financial hardships** that would not have occurred if Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion followed federal law XXXX 
- **Emotional Distress** The ongoing disputes and failure to correct errors have caused significant **stress and frustration**. 
- **Deprivation of Rights** These companies have **failed to provide the legally required disclosures, opt-out options, and grace periods**, further compounding my financial harm. 

-- - # # **6. Requested Resolution** I respectfully request that the **CFPB take immediate enforcement action** against **Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion** for their violations of federal law. Specifically, I request : 1. **A full investigation** into their fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices.

2. **Financial penalties and corrective measures** to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws.

3. **Immediate corrections of all inaccurate and misleading credit reports. ** 4. **Full disclosure** of all financial benefits and proceeds derived from consumer data, as required by law.

5. **Proper enforcement of my opt-out rights** under **15 U.S.C. 6802** and **16 CFR Part 313**.

6. **Assurance that consumers receive the legally required grace period** for late payments under **15 U.S.C. 1666 ( b ) **.

7. **Any additional remedies** deemed necessary to protect consumers from further harm.

-- - # # **7. Conclusion** The fraudulent and deceptive actions of **Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion** have caused **widespread harm to millions of consumers, including myself**. Their continued **failure to comply with federal laws, misrepresentation of their practices, and unfair treatment of consumers demand urgent intervention. ** I request that the **CFPB conduct a full investigation** and take **appropriate enforcement actions** to hold these companies accountable for their misconduct. 

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response. 

**Sincerely, ** XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation