Consumer complaint received 2025-04-21 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: OH

Complaint narrative:
TO EXPERIAN Equifax and TransUnion Dear Sir or Madam : I am the victim of identity theft. An unknown person got an apartment in my name, opened a XXXX credit card, and got a security alarm called XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX was included in bankruptcy. Your Bankruptcy case number is XXXX. All charges were unauthorized, and I did not make them. I did not authorize any transactions on or after this date, XX/XX/XXXX. I did not authorize anyone to get credit in my name. This is a matter of utmost urgency. Please fix my credit immediately.

This letter will serve as a demand letter/intent to sue notice required by my county. On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent you a certified package. XXXX  Enclosed in that package was A notarized identity theft report, a copy of valid government identification, a current copy of my credit file, a letter stating the items were not authorized by me, and a request to be blocked. The following accounts were listed : Your records will show that I have disputed these items as Not Mine over the years because they do not belong to me. In XX/XX/XXXX, a police report was filed. With XXXX XXXX Police Department XXXX, Ohio On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX, I called Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. I was advised that these items would be removed, and they have been removed. Six months later, it was put back on my credit report. Even though it is an identity theft claim, a 30-day re-investigation process is required. I have repeatedly tried to resolve this issue, only to be met with the same result each time.

This is a blatant violation of FCRA 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) Subsection ( a ) reads as follows : ( a ) Block. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, a consumer reporting agency shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft not later than four business days after the date of receipt by such agency of ( 1 ) appropriate proof of the identity of the consumer ; ( 2 ) a copy of an identity theft report ; ( 3 ) the identification of such information by the consumer; and ( 4 ) a statement by the consumer that the information is not information relating to any transaction by the consumer.

Once those documents were in your possession, Subsection ( b ) of FCRA 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) would apply. Section ( b ) reads as follows : Notification. A consumer reporting agency shall promptly notify the furnisher of information identified by the consumer under Subsection ( a ) of this Section ( 1 ) that the information may be a result of identity theft ; ( 2 ) that an identity theft report has been filed ; ( 3 ) that a block has been requested under this Section; and ( 4 ) of the effective dates of the block.

If Equifax Experian and TransUnion decided not to block the tradelines identified as identity theft, Section ( c ) of FCRA 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) would apply. Subsection ( c ) reads as follows : In general. A consumer reporting agency may decline to block or may rescind any block of information relating to a consumer under this Section if the consumer reporting agency reasonably determines that ( A ) the information was blocked in error or the consumer requested a block in error ; ( B ) the information was blocked, or a block was requested by the consumer, based on a material misrepresentation of fact by the consumer relevant to the request to block ; or ( C ) the consumer obtained possession of goods, services, or money as a result of the blocked transaction or transactions. ( 2 ) Notification to the consumer. Suppose a block of information is declined or rescinded under this Subsection. In that case, the affected consumer shall be notified promptly, in the same manner as consumers are notified of the reinsertion of information under Section 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of this title. The time frame for a consumer to be notified is within five business days after the reinsertion. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I lodged a formal complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Case # XXXX, for willfully disregarding the guidelines set forth by the FRCA. Equifax Experian and TransUnion have responded to the CFPB stating that you could not use the information I provided to block. A reason for being unable to use the information was not readily available. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion said a dispute would be initiated and provided the Furnishers with the supported document. 
Despite my repeated requests, you have failed to prove that these are my accounts. No reason was provided, no correspondence, and no proof was provided.

Despite submitting an identity theft and police report as part of my dispute, accounts that do not belong to me are still showing up on all three bureaus, significantly impacting my credit score. 
If we fail to come to a resolution the lawsuit will be for the following violations : Section 605 ( b ) failed to provide a reason my request for blockage was denied. Simply stating that you can not use it is not a valid reason or explanation. Nor does it allow me to correct what is incorrect so that it may be approved for blockage. A fine of no more than {$1000.00} will be imposed every day after the reasonable period of five business days. I received a notification 6 days after providing you with the theft report and the request for blockage, so I will be seeking a total of {$6000.00} for that violation. 
I will also be seeking damages for failing to forward supporting documentation to creditors. I have given you a lease agreement stating that I have lived and resided in XXXX, Ohio, for 32 years ; I do not reside in XXXX XXXX XXXX 

XXXX XXXX XXXX  was included in a Bankruptcy XXXX. 

XXXX letter verifying that the account was opened fraudulently and a notification to the bureaus for deletion were sent. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX received a letter verifying that my account was fraudulent, and I will request that the information be deleted from my files. How can I live in two places at the same time? The rental lease is attached. I can not live in two places at the same time. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX  : This account was opened fraudulently, and I am requesting that information be deleted from my files again. How can I live in XXXX XXXX XXXX  and XXXX, Ohio, with a lease attached? This does not make any sense. 
Note that all the above items returned as verified after you allegedly contacted each creditor directly and sent documents supporting my claim. I will ask for {$1000.00} for each creditor that I disputed and was subsequently removed because of the information I provided on my own. The same documentation that was in your possession at the time of my dispute about identity theft. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau requires you to forward all supported documents for creditor review. I will be seeking a total of {$11000.00} in total fines and the removal of the accounts identified as identity theft on the theft report and the police report. 
The following fraudulent accounts are still listed on my report : XXXX XXXXXXXX included in a bankruptcy, XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX  are XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX  I am enclosing a completed, notarized theft report, police report, current credit report, a letter listing the accounts, and a copy of Section 605 ( b ) for you to adhere to. Because you are in violation, it can not be overlooked. This ordeal has caused me financial and emotional trauma. I will settle for {$6700.00} and the removal of the items identified as theft, and we can keep it out of court. Items are to be removed within a 96-hour time frame, and a letter will be sent to the address above as confirmation. I hope that this can be resolved in a timely fashion. 
I look forward to hearing from you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief