Consumer complaint received 2024-06-21 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and Regulation V Human Trafficking Final Rule, which was amended in XXXX consumer reporting agencies ( CRAs ) can not make a determination based on the validity of the facts or circumstances in a consumer 's trafficking documentation submission. It is true that there is not a lot of evidence that directly shows someone is a victim of trafficking, and victims of trafficking are not always known. Section 1022.142 ( B ) ( 6 ) ( I ) says that health care providers, social service providers, and victim advocates who regularly screen and work with victims of human trafficking can make victim determinations. The rule also stipulates that a consumer reporting agency is not permitted to challenge a consumer 's determination that an adverse item of information was the outcome of a severe form of trafficking in persons or XXXXXXXX trafficking. 

A consumer reporting agency may only decline and rescind a block if the consumer reporting agency can not reasonably confirm the consumers ( or consumer representatives ) appropriate proof of identity ; the consumer did NOT provide a victim determination ; or the consumer reporting agency can not properly identify the adverse items of information. I have provided a victim determination letter, which should not have been rejected based on the current law and its legal limits. 

CRA 's do not have the authority to make verification calls to different health sources to confirm my human trafficking status or receive any additional information relating to such sensitive personal health information. Health care facilities and any other legal entities that fall under HIPAA requirements are not allowed to disclose such information. Equifax has violated my privacy rights and overstepped its constitutional authority by disclosing my name, health status and other personal information to office personnel during their unjust investigation. Equifax continues to block the victim determination letter submitted on the grounds that they could not verify the validity of the victim determination letter, which again, Equifax had no authority to challenge. The law was enacted to deprive CRAs of their authority to challenge and question victim determination letters in response to incidents such as those committed by Equifax. 

Back in XX/XX/year>, my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX She had to be XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX. Federal and local authorities are still investigating the crime committed against my family, and because of Equifax crossing the line to verify information, my personal information has been exposed, and now my family is at risk yet again. I can only imagine the negative consequences and blockage of recovery efforts that Equifax have caused others. The law was passed to ensure that survivors of XXXX XXXX are not unfairly penalized for circumstances beyond their control. Equifax has created negative barriers to keep me trapped in negative credit reporting, and has prevented me from accessing housing, employment, and other resources essential for my recovery

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation