Consumer complaint received 2025-10-23 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX Date XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Equifax Information Services, LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX, GA XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  RE : VIOLATION OF FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT - ILLEGAL REINSERTION OF PREVIOUSLY DELETED INFORMATION XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Account in Dispute : XXXX XXXX  - Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX XXXXXXXX - Date of Last Activity : XX/XX/XXXX -- -- - # # DEMAND FOR PERMANENT DELETION Dear Sir or Madam : This letter serves as formal notice that Equifax Information Services , LLC has * * willfully violated * * the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., specifically * * 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) * *, by unlawfully reinserting the above-referenced account onto my credit report after previously deleting it following a dispute. 

# # XXXX XXXX According to your correspondence dated [ date on letter ], you acknowledged that the XXXX XXXX XXXX account was previously * * removed from my Equifax credit file * * as a result of a dispute I submitted. The account was deleted because the furnisher failed to verify the information as complete and accurate, as required under the FCRA. 

Despite this deletion, you have now * * illegally reinserted * * this disputed account onto my credit report without complying with the mandatory requirements under federal law. 

# # LEGAL VIOLATIONS # # # 1. VIOLATION OF 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) - ILLEGAL REINSERTION The FCRA explicitly prohibits the reinsertion of previously deleted information unless specific conditions are met : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) states : * * > * A consumer reporting agency may not reinsert into a consumers file information that has been deleted pursuant to this section unless the person who furnishes the information certifies that the information is complete and accurate. * Furthermore, * * before reinsertion * *, you were required under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ( i ) to : - Notify me * * within 5 business days * * that the disputed information has been reinserted- Provide the name, address, and telephone number of the furnisher - Include a notice of my right to add a statement to my file disputing the accuracy or completeness of the information * * You have failed to provide evidence that : * * 1. The furnisher certified the information as complete and accurate 1. You conducted any independent verification of the information 1. You properly notified me within the required timeframe with all mandatory disclosures # # # 2. VIOLATION OF 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ( ii ) - FAILURE TO PROVIDE REQUIRED NOTICE Even if the furnisher provided certification ( which I dispute ), you were required to provide me with written notice that includes : - A statement that the information has been reinserted- The business name, address, and telephone number of the furnisher - A notice that I have the right to add a statement to my file Your generic letter * * fails to meet these specific requirements * * under the FCRA.

# # # 3. VIOLATION OF FCRA ACCURACY REQUIREMENTS- 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) The FCRA requires consumer reporting agencies to follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of consumer information. By reinserting previously disputed and deleted information without proper verification, you have violated this fundamental obligation.

Your reinsertion of this account demonstrates a * * willful disregard * * for accuracy and my consumer rights.

# # # 4. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE ACCOUNT Your letter states : - * * First Payment Never Received * * - * * Charged Off Account * * - Status : * * Charge Off * * This account was previously determined to be unverifiable and was deleted. The furnishers belated certification does not cure the original defect, nor does it satisfy the FCRAs requirements for reinsertion.

# # FCRA DAMAGES AND LIABILITY Please be advised that violations of 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) expose Equifax to : * * 1. Statutory Damages : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681n - Willful noncompliance carries penalties of not less than {$100.00} and not more than {$1000.00} per violation, plus punitive damages.

* * 2. Actual Damages : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681o - Negligent noncompliance results in liability for actual damages sustained by the consumer.

* * 3. Attorneys Fees and Costs : * * 15 U.S.C. 1681n ( a ) ( 3 ) and 1681o ( a ) ( 2 ) - Prevailing consumers are entitled to reasonable attorneys fees and costs.

* * 4. Injunctive Relief : * * Courts may order permanent deletion and injunctive relief to prevent future violations.

The illegal reinsertion of this disputed account has : - Damaged my credit score and creditworthiness - Caused me emotional distress and reputational harm - Interfered with my ability to obtain credit on favorable terms - Subjected me to continued harm from inaccurate information # # DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION Pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, I hereby * * DEMAND * * the following : * * XXXX. PERMANENT DELETION : * * Immediately and permanently delete the XXXX XXXX XXXX account ( Account # * XXXX ) from my Equifax credit file. This deletion must be permanent and may * * NOT * * be reinserted under any circumstances.

* * 2. WRITTEN CONFIRMATION : * * Provide written confirmation within * * 10 calendar days * * of receipt of this letter that : - The account has been permanently deleted from my credit file - The deletion has been reported to all parties who received my credit report within the past six ( 6 ) months ( two years for employment purposes ) - The account will not be reinserted in the future * * 3. UPDATED CREDIT REPORT : * * Send me a complete and updated copy of my Equifax credit report reflecting the permanent deletion of this account at no charge.

* * 4. DISCLOSURE OF VERIFICATION : * * Provide copies of all documents received from XXXX XXXX XXXX that supposedly certify the information as complete and accurate, including : - The certification statement - Supporting documentation - Dates of communication - Method and results of any verification conducted # # PRESERVATION OF LEGAL RIGHTS This letter does * * NOT * * waive any of my rights under the FCRA or any other federal or state law. I specifically reserve all rights to pursue legal action, including but not limited to : - Filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) - Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) - Filing a lawsuit in federal court for violations of the FCRA - Seeking statutory damages, actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys fees Your illegal actions constitute a serious violation of federal law. If you fail to comply with this demand within * * 10 calendar days * *, I will have no alternative but to pursue all available legal remedies without further notice.

# # REQUIRED RESPONSE You are * * legally required * * to respond to this dispute. Please send all correspondence and documentation to : XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief