Consumer complaint received 2024-10-18 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: FL

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Florida XXXX Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX RE : FORMAL DISPUTE DEMAND FOR REMOVAL OF INACCURATE INFORMATION To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute the inaccurate and unauthorized information appearing on my credit report, which I believe is a result of a data breach and identity theft. As required by law, I demand the immediate removal or blocking of this information from my credit file. Below are the legal justifications for my request, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ). 

Disputed Item ( s ) : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Reason for Dispute : [ The account items is unauthorized, likely resulting from a data breach or identity theft. ] Legal Basis for Dispute and Action Required : 1. FCRA Section 605B, 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 Block of Information Due to Identity Theft Under Section 605B of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ), I am entitled to have any information resulting from identity theft blocked from my credit report. I have reason to believe that the unauthorized items in question were the result of identity theft, potentially stemming from a recent data breach. I have attached a copy of my identity theft report filed with [ insert law enforcement agency ] on [ insert date ]. 

You are legally required to block the disputed information within four ( 4 ) business days of receiving this dispute and supporting documentation. Failure to do so will result in immediate escalation to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). 

2. FCRA Section 604, 15 U.S.C. 1681b Permissible Purpose for Obtaining Consumer Reports Section 604 of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ) clearly outlines permissible purposes for furnishing consumer reports. The creditors or entities associated with the disputed item ( s ) do not appear to have a permissible reason to access my credit report, nor did I authorize such inquiries or accounts. If any party has accessed my credit information without my consent or a valid permissible purpose, this is a clear violation of the FCRA. 

I demand that you investigate the legitimacy of these inquiries and accounts and provide me with documentation showing their legal basis. If no valid permissible purpose exists, the disputed items must be removed immediately. 

3. Data Breach and Unauthorized Use of My Information Given the growing prevalence of data breaches, I suspect that the unauthorized items on my credit report are a result of compromised personal information. It is your duty as a credit reporting agency to ensure that any information included in my credit report is accurate, secure, and lawfully obtained. If my personal information was accessed or used fraudulently, I demand that the fraudulent entries be removed immediately and that you provide me with details of how the breach occurred. 

4. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ) Protection of My Financial Information The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requires financial institutions to protect consumer financial information. Any failure to protect my personal and financial data resulting in unauthorized access or usage is a violation of the GLBA. Additionally, the GLBA prohibits unauthorized sharing of my financial information without my explicit consent. I request that you investigate how my personal financial data has been handled, and provide full disclosure on how my information was shared and secured. 

If any institutions involved in reporting these disputed items failed to protect my data or shared my information unlawfully, I expect immediate rectification. 

Actions Demanded : 1. Immediate Blocking or Deletion of Disputed Information : Under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2, any information resulting from identity theft must be blocked or deleted immediately.

2. Verification Documentation : If you verify any of the disputed items, I demand full documentation, including the evidence used to verify the information, as required by law.

3. Proof of Permissible Purpose : Provide evidence of any permissible purpose for the inquiries and accounts listed. If none exists, these items must be deleted from my credit report immediately.

4. Investigation into Data Breach : Provide details regarding any data breach or unauthorized access to my personal information, including how my financial data was handled and shared, as required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. 

Failure to comply with these demands will result in formal complaints to the FTC, CFPB, and potential legal action to enforce my rights under the FCRA and GLBA. 

I expect a response to this dispute, including confirmation of the actions taken, within 30 days as required by law. Should these unauthorized and inaccurate items not be removed, I will not hesitate to escalate this matter. 


Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation