Consumer complaint received 2025-04-11 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
I am a verified victim of identity theft and have been under the federal XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. As part of this XXXX, my utilities are paid by the XXXX XXXX, and I have never lived in XXXX XXXX, Georgia, nor received utility services from them. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, a collection account from XXXX XXXX, claiming to collect on behalf of XXXX XXXX, appeared on my Equifax credit report. I was never notified, contacted, or sent any documentation about this account before it was added in clear violation of : FDCPA 809 ( a ) No written notice of debt within 5 days of first contact FCRA 605B Failure to block identity theft-related data FCRA 611 ( a ) Failure to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 7 ) Failure to disclose method of verification FCRA 623 ( b ) Reporting information that could not be verified GLBA ( Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ) If XXXX XXXX transferred my private data to a third party without my consent or proper agreement, that is a privacy violation UDAAP ( Dodd-Frank Act ) Unfair, deceptive, and abusive handling of protected consumer data I dispute this collection in full and have never had an account with XXXX XXXX Utilities. I also challenge Equifaxs decision to allow this item to appear without verifying ownership or alerting me. 
XXXX  LEGAL DEFENSES + COMPLIANCE FAILURES : This collection is invalid and illegal. Equifax allowed this item to appear without proof of debt. A bill of sale is not proof of personal liability. Under federal law, a collector must provide : A full and unbroken chain of assignment A copy of the original agreement with my wet signature Proof that the statute of limitations has not expired License to collect in my state Equifax has failed to ensure any of this was validated before publication. 
_________________________________________________________________ DAMAGE CAUSED : Because of this false reporting : My credit score dropped dramatically I am in the middle of purchasing a home and am now at risk of losing it I have suffered emotional distress, out-of-pocket losses, and damage to my reputation I am under active fraud investigation support from the XXXX Police Department, who has an open case under my name __________________________________________________________________ FINAL NOTICE : If this is not resolved within 14 days, I will be retaining XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX, IL ) and filing a federal lawsuit against Equifax for : Actual damages Statutory damages Punitive damages under the FCRA, FDCPA, and GLBA Injunctive relief Attorney 's fees and costs I will also involve the XXXX Police Department and my XXXX XXXX XXXX as key witnesses. All fraud has been documented through the FTC, local police, and the XXXX XXXX________________________________________________________ FTC Identity Theft Report ( # XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Drivers license _________________________________________________________ Important Note : Please do not place any fraud alerts, freezes, or security blocks on my consumer file. I am currently in the process of purchasing a home, and any disruption to the accessibility of my credit file could further jeopardize my closing process. I am under active protection as a verified victim and have already submitted full documentation of identity theft and my legal status. I am requesting resolution without triggering automated fraud flags or delays.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation