Consumer complaint received 2024-08-27 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: OR

Complaint narrative:
15 USC 1681c1 states : ( b ) Extended alerts ( 1 ) In general Upon the direct request of a consumer, or an individual acting on behalf of or as a personal representative of a consumer, who submits an identity theft report to a consumer reporting agency described in section 1681a ( p ) of this title that maintains a file on the consumer, if the agency has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester, the agency shall ( A ) include a fraud alert in the file of that consumer, and also provide that alert along with any credit score generated in using that file, during the 7-year period beginning on the date of such request, unless the consumer or such representative requests that such fraud alert be removed before the end of such period and the agency has received appropriate proof of the identity of the requester for such purpose ; ( B ) during the 5-year period beginning on the date of such request, exclude the consumer from any list of consumers prepared by the consumer reporting agency and provided to any third party to offer credit or insurance to the consumer as part of a transaction that was not initiated by the consumer, unless the consumer or such representative requests that such exclusion be rescinded before the end of such period ; and ( C ) refer the information regarding the extended fraud alert under this paragraph to each of the other consumer reporting agencies described in section 1681a ( p ) of this title, in accordance with procedures developed under section 1681s ( f ) of this title.

And FCRA 616 A states : In general. Any person who willfully fails to comply with any requirement imposed under this title with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in an amount equal to the sum of ( 1 ) ( A ) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or damages of not less than {$100.00} and not more than {$1000.00} ; or ( B ) in the case of liability of a natural person for obtaining a consumer report under false pretenses or knowingly without a permissible purpose, actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure or {$1000.00}, whichever is greater ; ( 2 ) such amount of punitive damages as the court may allow ; and ( 3 ) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action together with reasonable attorney 's fees as determined by the court. 
On XX/XX/year> ; XX/XX/year> ; and XX/XX/year> Equifax was provided by US Postal Mail at their address of Official reports of identity theft in the form of a notarized victim affidavit subject to penalty for false swearing, a valid police report filed with the XXXX, CA Police Department that was filed under penalty of false swearing per California penal code, clear copy of California drivers license that is unexpired, clear copy of SSN card, and Proof of address in the form of a recent insurance statement showing name and address. Equifax has chosen to respond to all requests with a request to be provided proof of identity and current address at the address that proof was already provided for. All other parties involved in this matter whether credit bureau or creditors have already accepted the exact same documentation and proof of identity/residence. I can only construe Equifaxs repeated refusals as acts of willful disregard for federal as indicated above and subject to civil penalties outlined above.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation