Consumer complaint received 2025-03-05 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:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Washington, DC XXXX Subject : Complaint Regarding Equifax Data Breach and Violations of Privacy Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act Date : XX/XX/XXXX From : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, FL XXXX XXXX XXXX Dear CFPB, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding violations of my privacy rights as stipulated under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), specifically in connection with the Equifax data breach and the handling of my personal information by various credit reporting agencies. 

1. Equifax Data Breach Involvement I was among the consumers whose personal and sensitive data was compromised in the XXXX Equifax data breach. Equifax failed to adequately protect my personal information, which includes my Social Security number, credit information, and other identifying details, resulting in significant exposure to potential identity theft and financial fraud. I believe that Equifaxs actions, or lack thereof, violated the protections afforded to me under the FCRA, particularly with regard to my right to privacy. 

2. Lack of Opt-Out Notice Additionally, at no point was I provided with an opt-out notice upon acquiring any of my accounts with various credit reporting agencies, as required by law. Under FCRA 604 ( c ) ( 1 ) ( A ), I should have been informed of my right to opt out of prescreened offers for credit or insurance. The failure to provide this notice constitutes a violation of my consumer rights under the FCRA. 

3. Lack of Consumer Consent Further, I have never given explicit consent for any credit reporting agency or other entities to access or distribute my credit report and personal information. Section 604 of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ) outlines the permissible purposes for furnishing a consumer report, none of which were met in my case. I believe these agencies have improperly accessed and used my data without my consent, further compounding the breach of my privacy.

4. Request for Deletion of Accounts Due to the unauthorized use of my personal information and the failure to provide opt-out notices, I am formally requesting that the following accounts be immediately deleted from my credit report. These accounts were either opened or accessed without my express consent, and their continued presence on my credit report constitutes a violation of my rights under the FCRA : XXXX ( XXXX ) - XXXX. # XXXX ( Closed XXXX ) XXXX XXXX IN - Balance : {$640.00} ( Original Creditor : Not Available ) - COLLECTIONS ( XXXX, XXXX ) XXXX XXXX  XXXX Balance : {$730.00} ( Original Creditor : Not Available ) - COLLECTIONS ( XXXX, XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX - Balance : {$93.00} ( Original Creditor : Not Available ) - COLLECTIONS ( XXXX, XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( Closed XXXX ) 5. How Deletion Constitutes a Fair Resolution The removal of these accounts from my credit report would provide a fair resolution for several reasons : Restoration of Privacy : Deleting the offending accounts would rectify the unauthorized use and sharing of my personal information, restoring my right to privacy as mandated by the FCRA. Given that these accounts were either opened or accessed without my consent, their removal would prevent any further unauthorized use of my credit report. 

Correction of Credit Report : Many of these accounts, particularly those arising from collections and financial management services, have likely negatively impacted my credit score. The deletion would help rectify any unjust damage done to my credit standing, which has resulted from actions I did not authorize or consent to. 

Prevention of Future Harm : By removing these accounts, it reduces the potential for identity theft or fraud, as leaving such accounts open can increase my vulnerability to further exploitation of my personal data. Equifaxs breach already exposed me to such risks, and account deletion would minimize further exposure.

In light of the above, I request an immediate investigation into these violations and seek appropriate remedial actions. This includes holding Equifax accountable for the mishandling of my personal data, ensuring that the necessary opt-out notices are issued, preventing further unauthorized access to my credit information, and the immediate deletion of all affected accounts from my credit report. 

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a timely resolution. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation