Consumer complaint received 2024-09-26 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
This letter serves as my formal and final demand for the immediate removal of the following negative items from my credit report. I have reason to believe that these items are inaccurate and/or potentially fraudulent, especially in light of the recent XXXX data breach, which compromised sensitive personal information : Disputed Negative Items : List of charge-offs : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), credit reporting agencies are legally required to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the information they report. Additionally, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ( FACTA ) provides consumers with protections in cases where their personal information may have been compromised. 
Furthermore, my personal information was also compromised in the Change Healthcare data breach, adding to the likelihood that the negative items on my credit report may be the result of identity theft or fraud. The combination of these two breaches presents an even greater risk to the accuracy of my credit report, and I am concerned that the negative items are a direct result of the mishandling of my sensitive data by third parties. 
Given the breaches and their potential impact on the accuracy of my credit report, I demand that all negative items, including charge-offs, collections, and late payments, be removed immediately. Since your company has failed to guarantee the security of my personal information, you are no longer able to confirm the accuracy of the data reported. 
Furthermore, as required by the FCRA : Section 611 ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) : You are obligated to verify the disputed items within 30 days or delete them from my report. 
Section 609 ( 15 U.S.C. 1681g ) : I have the right to request all information and verification documentation regarding the accuracy of these items, which to date, you have failed to provide. 
This is not a mere request but a final demand for the guaranteed removal of all disputed items. Should you fail to comply within 15 days of receiving this letter, I will pursue the following actions : Initiate legal action under Section 616 of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n ) for willful non-compliance, seeking statutory damages of up to {$1000.00} per violation, actual damages for harm caused, and reimbursement of legal fees. 
Pursue additional legal remedies under Section 617 of the FCRA ( 15 U.S.C. 1681o ) for negligent non-compliance, including further damages and court costs. 
I expect a prompt response confirming the permanent removal of all negative items. Failure to act will result in immediate escalation.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief