Consumer complaint received 2025-09-24 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: AZ

Complaint narrative:
The consumer submitted extensive disputes to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, citing multiple violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and demanding immediate corrective action. They explained that the bureaus practice of delaying or disregarding disputes, often under the assumption that consumers are working with third-party credit repair companies, is both unfounded and unlawful. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i, consumer reporting agencies are required to investigate disputes promptly and thoroughly, with no exceptions based on outside assistance. The consumer further noted that no provision of the FCRA requires a power of attorney, and any attempt to impose such a requirement constitutes willful disregard of their statutory rights.

The disputes centered on three major issues : unauthorized inquiries, inaccurate personal information, and unverifiable or erroneous accounts. First, the consumer identified numerous hard inquiries from entities such as XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , and several others. They stated unequivocally that they never authorized these inquiries, nor had any dealings with the companies in question. As required by the FCRA, all users of consumer reports must have a permissible purpose, and the consumer demanded that the bureaus either delete the inquiries immediately or provide legally verifiable evidence, such as signed credit applications, to justify their presence.

Second, the consumer challenged the reporting of personal details that were either outdated or entirely false, including multiple variations of their name, inaccurate addresses, incorrect employer information, and even an erroneous date of birth. They stressed that retaining such false identifiers exposes them to heightened risk of identity theft and financial harm, and insisted that the bureaus correct their records to reflect only verified, accurate data.

Finally, the consumer disputed several accounts and collections that were reported inconsistently, inaccurately, or without the necessary documentation. Accounts from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and XXXX XXXX XXXX , among others, were flagged for contradictions in balance reporting, payment history, and account status across the bureaus. The consumer pointed out that these discrepancies violate 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ), which requires maximum possible accuracy, and that the failure to reinvestigate properly violates 1681i. They also emphasized that the bureaus failed to comply with Metro 2 reporting standards, which mandate consistency, completeness, and accuracy in all furnished data. Furthermore, they connected these issues to the Equifax Data Breach Settlement, confirming that their personal information had been compromised and suggesting that some fraudulent accounts and inquiries may have resulted from identity theft linked to that breach.

As remedies, the consumer demanded immediate deletion or correction of all unauthorized inquiries, unverifiable accounts, and inaccurate personal information. They also required the production of documented evidence to substantiate any item the bureaus intended to retain. The letters concluded with a clear warning : failure to comply within the statutory timeframe would result in escalation to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), formal legal action, and the pursuit of all remedies available under federal law. In sum, the consumers correspondence positioned their disputes not as mere requests, but as firm legal demands rooted in the FCRA, demanding full accountability, strict adherence to compliance standards, and the immediate protection of their rights.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation