Consumer complaint received 2025-12-15 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: GA

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/XXXX VIA CERTIFIED MAIL and CFPB PORTAL Equifax Information Service LLC XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, Georgia XXXX Re : Formal FCRA dispute and demand for correction of inaccurate and fraudulent credit reporting To Whom It May Concern : This correspondence is a formal dispute of inaccurate and fraudulent information appearing in my consumer report and a demand for correction, deletion, and full compliance with federal consumer protection laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), XXXX U.S.C. XXXX et seq., its implementing Regulation V, the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) regulations and guidance, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) guidance governing the investigation of credit reporting disputes and identity theft. 

Background And Nature Of Dispute My consumer report currently reflects XXXX or more accounts, tradelines, or derogatory items that do not belong to me and/or are the result of identity theft, as detailed in the attached list and documentation. I did not open, authorize, or benefit from these accounts or transactions, and I have already filed an identity theft report with the appropriate authorities and with the FTC, and I am providing copies of my FTC Identity Theft Report, police report ( if applicable ), and proof of identity. 

These inaccurate entries are causing substantial harm, including damage to my credit reputation, denial or less favorable terms of credit, and other financial and personal injuries. You are now on notice that this information is disputed and that I assert my rights as an identity theft victim and as a consumer under federal law. 

FCRA Duties To Assure Accuracy And Conduct A Reasonable Investigation Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy of the information they report about consumers, and must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed information when notified by a consumer. This includes the duty to review all relevant information provided by the consumer, to communicate the dispute to the furnisher of the information, and to delete or correct information that can not be verified as accurate. 

CFPB supervisory guidance and circulars reiterate that both consumer reporting agencies and furnishers can face liability under the FCRA when they fail to conduct reasonable investigations of consumer disputes or create barriers to the submission of disputes. Federal regulators have emphasized that you must not ignore, summarily reject, or parrot verify disputed information without a genuine, reasonable investigation that considers the evidence submitted by the consumer. 

Identity Theft and FCRA 605B Blocking Rights Because the disputed information results from identity theft, I am invoking my rights under FCRA 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c2 ), which provides that a consumer reporting agency must block the reporting of information that the consumer identifies as resulting from identity theft when the consumer submits : ( XXXX ) appropriate proof of identity, ( XXXX ) a copy of an identity theft report, and ( XXXX ) an identification of the fraudulent information. Section 605B requires the credit reporting agency to block this information within a short timeframe after receiving the required documentation and to notify the furnisher that the information has been blocked due to identity theft. 

Your failure to promptly block and remove these identitytheftrelated items after receiving proper documentation would constitute a violation of FCRA 605B and related FTC and CFPB guidance for identity theft victims. Courts have recognized that identity theft victims have a private right of action against furnishers and reporting agencies that fail to conduct a reasonable investigation and continue reporting fraudulent accounts, and regulators have supported consumers in such actions. 

Case Law Regarding Failure To Investigate And Identity Theft Federal courts have repeatedly held that when a consumer disputes items on a credit report, the FCRA requires furnishers and agencies to conduct a reasonable investigation, and failure to do so can give rise to liability for actual, statutory, and punitive damages. In recent appellate decisions involving allegations of identity theft, courts have focused on whether the furnisher and agencies reasonably investigated the consumers identity theft claim and whether they deleted or corrected information that could not be verified as belonging to the consumer. These decisions make clear that ignoring consumerprovided identity theft affidavits and supporting evidence, or simply confirming the debt with the original furnisher without deeper inquiry, is insufficient. 

By persisting in reporting fraudulent information after clear notice of identity theft and a dispute, and by failing to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation, a credit reporting agency and any involved furnisher violate their statutory duties under 15 U.S.C. 1681i and 1681s2 and can be held liable in a private civil action. 

Fraudulent, Unverified Accounts or Inaccurate XXXX XXXX Closed ( Unverified/Fraudulent ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX / Account type : Credit card ( revolving ) Charge Off / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX / Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : XXXX dollars ( credit limit ) Amount in default : chargeoff amount XXXX dollars ; current balance XXXX ; amount past due XXXX Status / notes : Charge Off ; date of XXXX delinquency XX/XX/XXXX ; consumer disputes this account ( code 166 ) ; narrative codes XXXX ( chargedoff ), XXXX ( credit card ), XXXX ( high credit is credit limit ). 

XXXX XXXX Closed ( Unverified/Fraudulent ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX Account type : Credit card ( revolving ) Charge Off / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX / Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : XXXX dollars ( credit limit ) Amount in default : chargeoff amount XXXX dollars ; current balance XXXX ; amount past due XXXX Status / notes : Charge Off ; date of XXXX delinquency XX/XX/XXXX ; date closed XX/XX/XXXX ; narrative codes XXXX ( chargedoff ), XXXX ( credit card ), XXXX ( high credit is credit limit ), XXXX ( high credit is original chargeoff amount ). 

XXXX XXXX Closed ( Unverified/Fraudulent ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX Account type : Credit card ( revolving ) Charge Off / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX / Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : XXXX dollars ( credit limit ) Amount in default : chargeoff amount XXXX dollars ; current balance XXXX ; amount past due XXXX Status / notes : Charge Off ; date of XXXX delinquency XX/XX/XXXX ; date closed XX/XX/XXXX ; activity designator Closed by credit grantor ; narrative codes XXXX ( chargedoff ), XXXX ( account closed by credit grantor ), XXXX ( fixed rate ). 

XXXX XXXX Co / Collection agency : CREDIT COLLECTIONS ( Unverified/Fraudulent ) Account type : Collection Insurance / Original creditor : XXXX SECURE CO XXXX Date assigned : XX/XX/XXXX Date last paid : None reported ( Last Payment Date : None ) Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX ( collection reported and status Unpaid as of that date ) Original limit / original amount : Not stated as original amount ; collection amount and balance are XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( unpaid collection balance ) Status / notes : Individual account ; creditor classification Insurance ; date of XXXX delinquency XX/XX/XXXX ; status Unpaid ; no additional narrative notes. 

XXXX OF XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : DEPT OF XXXX / Account type : Education Loan ( student loan ) / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX / Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars ( original principal ) Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; amount past due XXXX ; no chargeoff ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; narrative XXXX ( consumer disputes after resolution ), XXXX ( student loan payment deferred ), XXXX ( student loan ), XXXX ( previously in dispute and resolved ), XXXX ( affected by natural or declared disaster on certain months ). 

XXXX OF XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX / Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX / Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; narrative XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX as above. 

XXXX OF XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX / Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX / Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; same narrative pattern ( XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ). 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : DEPT OF XXXX / Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX / Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; narrative XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX. 

XXXX OF XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX / Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX / Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; same narrative set. 

XXXX OF XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : DEPT OF XXXX / Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX / Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; same narrative set. 

XXXX OF XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX / Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX / Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; same narrative set ( including affected by natural or declared disaster for some months ). 

XXXX OF XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX / Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX / Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; same narrative set. 


XXXX OF XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX / Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX / Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; same narrative set. 

XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX / Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; same narrative set. 

XXXX OF XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX XXXX / Account type : Education Loan / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX / Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; payment deferred; same narrative set. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Inaccurate/Never Late ) Creditor : XXXX XXXX  XXXX / Account type : Education Loan ( prior servicer ) / Date opened : XX/XX/XXXX Date last paid : XX/XX/XXXX / Date of most recent update : XX/XX/XXXX / Original limit : High credit XXXX dollars Amount in default : XXXX dollars ( balance XXXX ; past due XXXX ; no chargeoff ) Status / notes : Pays As Agreed ; transferred/sold XX/XX/XXXX ; narrative codes XXXX ( account transferred or sold ) and XXXX ( student loan ). 

Violations Alleged To the extent you have failed to : I. XXXX a reasonable reinvestigation of my dispute, XXXX. Review all relevant information that I have provided, XXXX. Communicate my dispute accurately to the furnisher ( XXXX ), XXXX. XXXX identitytheftrelated information after receiving the required documentation, and/or V. Delete or correct information that can not be verified as accurate, You are in violation of the FCRA, XXXX but not limited to XXXX U.S.C. XXXX ( b ), XXXX, and XXXX, as well as applicable CFPB and FTC regulations and guidance. Continued reporting of fraudulent and inaccurate information after notice of identity theft also constitutes willful or negligent noncompliance with the FCRA, exposing you to civil liability. 

Demands For Correction And Specific Relief Accordingly, I demand that you : I. XXXX a thorough, reasonable reinvestigation of each disputed item listed in my attached schedule, including review of all documents I have provided. 
XXXX. XXXX, delete, and permanently remove from my consumer report all tradelines, accounts, inquiries, or derogatory items that are the result of identity theft or can not be verified as accurate as to me. 
XXXX. Provide me with an updated copy of my consumer report showing the removal or correction of all disputed items. 
IV. Provide a written description of the procedures used in your reinvestigation, including the entities you contacted, information reviewed, and the basis for your conclusions, as permitted under XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( a ) ( XXXX ) ( B ) ( XXXX ). 
XXXX XXXX from reinserting any deleted items in my file unless you fully comply with the FCRAs reinsertion requirements, including proper notice. 

These actions should be completed within the statutory reinvestigation period, generally 30 days from your receipt of this dispute ( or shorter blocking timelines as applicable under XXXX ), and you should provide written confirmation to me at the address above. 

Notice Of Potential Litigation And Damages Please treat this letter as both a dispute under the FCRA and a prelitigation demand. If you fail to comply with the obligations described above, continue to report inaccurate or identitytheftrelated information, or otherwise refuse to correct and block the disputed items, you XXXX be liable for : I. Actual damages, including but not limited to credit denials, higher interest rates, and emotional distress. 
XXXX. Statutory damages for willful violations under XXXX XXXX. XXXX. 
XXXX. XXXX fees and costs. 
IV. Punitive damages where appropriate, particularly for reckless or knowing disregard of consumer rights. 

Federal regulators, including the CFPB and FTC, have expressly warned that consumer reporting agencies and furnishers can face enforcement actions and civil liability for failure to reasonably investigate disputes and properly address identity theftrelated information. If you do not resolve this matter within the time provided by law, I reserve all rights to pursue legal remedies in court, including filing suit against you and any furnishers involved in these inaccuracies for violations of the FCRA and related consumer protection statutes. 

Documents enclosed I am enclosing the following, and you must review each item as part of your investigation : Copy of governmentissued identification Proof of current address Copy of my FTC Identity Theft Report A list of each disputed tradeline, including creditor name, account number ( redacted ), and why the item is inaccurate or fraudulent Any additional supporting documentation showing that the accounts or transactions are not mine Please confirm in writing, at the address listed above, that you have received this dispute, initiated a reinvestigation, blocked and removed any identitytheftrelated information pursuant to FCRA XXXX, and corrected all inaccurate information. Retain this letter and all attachments in your files, as they will be used as evidence of your notice and your response in any future regulatory complaint or civil litigation. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation