Consumer complaint received 2025-02-14 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, This letter serves as my formal complaint regarding the repeated and improper reinsertion of fraudulent accounts on my credit report, specifically XXXX XXXX  XXXX ( Account Number : XXXX ), XXXX ( Account Number : XXXX ), unauthorized inquiries from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX and Equifaxs failure XXXX respond to my verification request. These accounts were opened without my authorization or consent. Despite prior removals, these accounts have been improperly reinserted multiple times without the statutorily required written notice at least five days in advance, constituting a direct violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

Furthermore, I sent a formal verification request to Equifax demanding full documentation of their reinvestigation and validation process for these disputed accounts. Equifax has failed to respond to my request, violating several provisions of the FCRA. 

Additionally, my credit report contains incorrect personal information, including : Incorrect Addresses : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Incorrect Names : XXXX XXXX Violations of Federal and State Laws The handling of this matter by the involved creditors and credit reporting agencies constitutes multiple violations of federal and state consumer protection laws, including but not limited to : Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.

Mandates accurate credit reporting, proper dispute resolution, and notification prior to reinsertion of disputed accounts.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) Requires credit bureaus to provide written notification to the consumer at least five days before reinserting a previously deleted account.

15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) Requires credit bureaus to block fraudulent accounts upon receipt of supporting documentation.

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) Imposes an obligation on furnishers of information to conduct a reasonable investigation of disputes. 

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) Requires credit bureaus to provide a clear explanation of the investigation process, including : The method used to verify the accounts accuracy. 

Copies of any original documentation used to verify the account. 

The identity of the party who provided the verification. 

A summary of the findings of the investigation. 

Equifax has failed to provide this information, violating my rights. 

15 U.S.C. 1681b Requires that credit bureaus only report accounts with a permissible purpose. Equifax failed to provide proof of such a purpose for these disputed accounts.

15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) Mandates credit bureaus ensure maximum possible accuracy in reporting, which Equifax and XXXX failed to do. 

15 U.S.C. 1681n and 15 U.S.C. 1681o Provide for legal remedies, including statutory and punitive damages, for willful and negligent violations of the FCRA. 

Relief Sought In accordance with the aforementioned violations, I demand the following immediate corrective actions : Permanent Removal and Blocking of Fraudulent Accounts XXXX XXXX  XXXX ( Account Number : XXXX ), XXXX ( Account Number : XXXX ), and any other unauthorized accounts or inquiries must be permanently removed and blocked from my credit report in compliance with federal law. 

Written Confirmation of Actions Taken A written statement detailing the actions taken to rectify these violations must be provided to me promptly. 

Comprehensive Investigation and Compliance Review A full investigation into these violations must be conducted, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulatory provisions. 

Enforcement Actions and Penalties Against Responsible Parties Any creditor, furnisher, or credit reporting agency found to be in violation should be subject to appropriate enforcement actions and penalties. 

Correction of Personal Information Immediate removal of all incorrect addresses and names, including but not limited to : Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The CFPB must enforce compliance with all relevant laws and require Equifax to provide the verification details outlined in my previous demand. If Equifax can not comply, the disputed accounts must be permanently deleted under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ). 

Supporting Documentation To substantiate my complaint, I have attached the following : A copy of my government-issued identification. 

My Social Security card. 

Proof of my current address. 

A police report detailing the fraudulent activity. 

A copy of my previous verification demand to Equifax, along with proof of mailing. 

Deadline for Compliance The CFPB must ensure that Equifax and all other involved parties provide the requested information and delete fraudulent accounts within 15 days. Failure to act will result in legal escalation, including : Additional complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). 

Litigation for damages under 15 U.S.C. 1681n. 

Reporting of non-compliance to relevant state regulatory agencies. 

This matter requires urgent attention to prevent further harm and ensure compliance with all federal and state consumer protection laws. Please confirm receipt of this complaint and provide regular updates on the status of your investigation. If this issue is not resolved promptly, I am prepared to escalate my complaint through legal channels. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this serious matter. I trust that the CFPB will uphold its mandate to protect consumers from such egregious violations of their rights. 

Sincerely

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief