Consumer complaint received 2025-07-01 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Investigation took more than 30 days
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: LA

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint against Equifax for failure to maintain reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information in my credit file as required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ). Equifax has willfully and negligently included false, inaccurate, and fraudulent information in my credit report despite multiple disputes and notifications. I am the victim of identity theft, and Equifax has failed to fulfill its duty to block or remove the fraudulent information under FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2. Additionally, Equifax is reporting personal information and inquiries that are not mine, resulting in substantial harm to my creditworthiness, emotional distress, and denial of credit. Below are the details of the violations.

XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX Wrong Name Issue : This is not my legal name and has never been associated with me. Its presence on my credit file reflects a mixed file or identity confusion. 
Law : Under FCRA 1681e ( b ), Equifax is required to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy. 
Story : My legal name is completely different from XXXX XXXX XXXX. Including this name has caused confusion during credit evaluations, resulting in denied credit applications and reputational harm. It is clear evidence of poor identity verification on Equifaxs part. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, LA XXXX Wrong Address Issue : I have never lived at this address nor have I had any association with it. 
Law : FCRA 1681e ( b ) requires credit reporting agencies to maintain accurate personal identifying information.

Story : This false address has caused lenders to question my identity. Its presence is inconsistent with my known residence history and increases the risk of identity theft or mixed file reporting. Equifax failed to remove this after multiple disputes. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, LA XXXX Wrong Address Issue : This is not my address, and reporting it is misleading. 
Law : Equifax is required under FCRA 1681e ( b ) to ensure accuracy and remove incorrect address data.

Story : Because of this false address, I have been wrongfully flagged in background checks and denied a credit increase. This address has no relation to me and signals Equifaxs negligence in verifying consumer data.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Identity Theft * * Issue : This mortgage account was fraudulently opened using my identity. I did not authorize or open this loan. 
Law : FCRA 1681c-2 ( a ) mandates the blocking of identity theft-related information upon submission of an ID theft report.

Story : I submitted an identity theft affidavit and police report, but Equifax failed to block this account. As a result, my debt-to-income ratio appears inflated, and Ive been denied home loan approvals. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : This account is a duplicate fraud, opened without my consent. 
Law : FCRA 1681c-2 obligates Equifax to block accounts once identity theft is reported. 
Story : Despite multiple disputes and supporting documents, Equifax left this account on my report, damaging my credit profile and causing lenders to reject me for refinancing due to a supposedly active mortgage. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : This credit card was opened fraudulently. 
Law : Equifax is required under FCRA 1681c-2 to block accounts resulting from identity theft.

Story : I never applied for this card. XXXX  XXXX confirmed verification failed. Despite submitting proof to Equifax, they ignored my request, and the fraudulent account caused a drop in my credit score. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Identity Theft * * Issue : Another unauthorized account tied to identity theft. 
Law : FCRA 1681e ( b ) and 1681c-2 require Equifax to ensure accuracy and block false accounts.

Story : This accounts balance and payment history misrepresent my credit standing. It has negatively impacted my loan applications and Equifax has failed to remove it even after I submitted proof.

XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : I never opened this XXXX  card account. 
Law : FCRA 1681c-2 requires deletion of fraudulent accounts after receiving an identity theft report.

Story : This entry falsely inflates my credit utilization and caused denial of business credit. Equifaxs failure to act despite my proper documentation is unacceptable. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : Fraudulent account opened without my knowledge. 
Law : FCRA 1681c-2 and 1681i require CRA to block or delete inaccurate data upon dispute and proof.

Story : This card shows a high balance, which has hurt my credit profile. Even after proving it was fraudulent, Equifax kept it on my report.

XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : I never applied for or used this XXXX XXXX credit card. 
Law : Under FCRA 1681c-2, Equifax must delete identity theft accounts once reported.

Story : This account continues to harm my creditworthiness and financial opportunities. Equifax ignored my disputes completely.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Late Payment ( Disputed ) * * Issue : The late payment reported is incorrect. I was never late. 
Law : FCRA 1681i requires a proper reinvestigation of any disputed information.

Story : This error resulted in my auto loan refinance being denied. I disputed this with supporting payment records, but Equifax took no action.

DEPT OF ED XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Multiple Dates ) Identity Theft * * Issue : I did not take out any of these federal student loans. 
Law : FCRA 1681c-2 mandates that identity theft accounts must be blocked.

Story : Equifax has allowed multiple fake student loans to remain on my report, totaling over {$100000.00}. These fake entries are harming my debt ratio and preventing me from qualifying for housing and business loans. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : This credit union account is fraudulent. 
Law : Violates FCRA 1681e ( b ) and 1681c-2.

Story : It artificially inflates my balances and misrepresents my financial history. I never had a relationship with this institution. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : I did not apply for or authorize this account. 
Law : FCRA 1681c-2 requires blocking of such accounts.

Story : This account led to the denial of my XXXX XXXX application. Equifax ignored my fraud claim. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : This XXXX  XXXX XXXX account was opened using stolen information. 
Law : Violates FCRA 1681c-2. 
Story : Its inclusion damages my file and increases my credit utilization unfairly. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : I never had any account with XXXX XXXX. 
Law : Equifax failed to block under 1681c-2.

Story : This fake loan led to my car loan being denied due to supposedly high existing auto debt.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Identity Theft * * Issue : This is not my account. 
Law : Violates 1681c-2 and 1681e ( b ).

Story : Due to this false account, I received a much higher interest rate on a credit card application. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Unauthorized Inquiry Issue : I never authorized this inquiry. 
Law : FCRA 1681b requires all inquiries to have a permissible purpose.

Story : This inquiry may indicate an attempt to fraudulently open credit. Equifax has refused to remove it despite my formal dispute.

XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX Unauthorized Inquiry Issue : This hard inquiry is unauthorized and harmful. 
Law : FCRA 1681b ( c ) prohibits unauthorized access to consumer reports.


Story : This inquiry dropped my score and may be linked to fraud. I never applied with this company.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Unauthorized Issue : I did not apply for credit with this institution. 
Law : FCRA 1681e ( a ) requires CRAs to prevent unauthorized access.

Story : This unauthorized pull shows Equifax is not protecting my file. I requested removal with no response.

XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX Inquiry XX/XX/XXXX Unauthorized Issue : Fraudulent inquiry without my consent. 
Law : FCRA 1681b ( c ).

Story : This inquiry should not be on my file. Equifaxs failure to act on my report increases my exposure to future fraud.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX Unauthorized Issue : I never consented to this inquiry. 
Law : FCRA 1681b.

Story : This false inquiry has caused confusion with lenders and impacted my credit eligibility.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Unauthorized Issue : Inquiry made without my knowledge. 
Law : FCRA 1681e ( a ) and 1681b.

Story : This inquiry affected my ability to lease a car. I dispute its legitimacy and Equifax has taken no action.

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Unauthorized Issue : This is another unauthorized hard inquiry. 
Law : FCRA 1681b ( c ).

Story : Equifax failed to prevent and later failed to remove this inquiry despite my documentation. It reduced my score and harmed my lending profile. 
Due to Equifaxs systemic failure to block identity theft-related accounts, failure to remove inaccurate addresses, failure to correct unauthorized inquiries, and failure to conduct reasonable investigations, I have suffered significant harm including credit denials, emotional distress, and reputational damage. I am requesting that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) initiate a full investigation into Equifaxs negligent practices, ensure full deletion of all inaccurate and fraudulent items, and impose regulatory consequences for their willful noncompliance under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief