Consumer complaint received 2025-01-07 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:
I am submitting this formal dispute regarding unauthorized accounts on my credit report. Despite notifying the credit bureau and filing a dispute with the CFPB on XX/XX/2024, these accounts remain unresolved, violating both federal and California laws. Below, I outline the legal grounds for my dispute : Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : 1. 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) : Prohibits furnishers from reporting information they know or reasonably suspect to be inaccurate.

2. 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) : Requires consumer reporting agencies ( CRAs ) to investigate disputes within 30 days.

3. 15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) ( 5 ) : Prohibits reporting adverse items older than seven years unless exempt.

4. 15 U.S.C. 6802 ( b ) : Requires financial institutions to inform consumers of their right to opt out of data sharing ; I revoke any consent for sharing my information.

5. 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Mandates reasonable procedures to ensure maximum accuracy of reported information.

6. 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) : Requires CRAs to notify consumers in writing within five business days if deleted information is reinserted.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ) : 1. 15 U.S.C. 6802 ( c ) : Prohibits financial institutions from disclosing nonpublic personal information ( NPI ) to nonaffiliated third parties without providing consumers with an opt-out notice and an opportunity to exercise that right.

2. 15 U.S.C. 6821 : Prohibits obtaining or using consumer financial information through fraudulent means ( pretexting ). The unauthorized accounts on my credit report violate this provision.

3. The GLBA also requires that financial institutions provide clear privacy notices explaining how personal data is shared and allow consumers to opt out of such sharing.

California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act ( CCCRAA ) : 1. California Civil Code 1785.16 ( k ) : CRAs must block information resulting from identity theft within four business days of receiving valid documentation, such as an FTC Identity Theft Report or police report.

2. California Civil Code 1785.16 : Requires CRAs to investigate disputes within 30 days and delete inaccurate or unverifiable information.

3. California Civil Code 1785.25 ( a ) : Prohibits furnishers from reporting information they know or should know is inaccurate.

4. California Civil Code 1785.11 : Limits access to consumer credit reports unless there is a permissible purpose, such as written consumer consent.

Identity Theft Protections : 1. Under California Civil Code 1798.93, victims of identity theft can demand the removal of fraudulent accounts from their credit reports.

2. As per 12 C.F.R. 1022.3, CRAs must block fraudulent information upon receiving a valid identity theft report.

Additional Violations : 1. The unauthorized accounts violate my right to privacy under both federal and state law, including protections under the California Constitution ( Article I, Section 1 ).

2. Failure to notify me of adverse actions based on these accounts violates 15 U.S.C. 1681m.

I have provided supporting documentation, including an FTC Identity Theft Report, my passport card, and Social Security card, yet no action has been taken as required by law, specifically under California Civil Code 1785.16 ( k ) for identity theft cases and the privacy protections outlined in the GLBA.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation