Consumer complaint received 2025-03-21 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: OK

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Dispute of Unverified Bankruptcy Information and Data Practices : I am writing for at least the third time to formally dispute the inaccurate and unverified bankruptcy information being reported on my Equifax credit file. A detailed review of my records reveals that the source of this information is XXXX XXXX XXXX, a company publicly identifying itself as a data broker subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), likely corroborated by XXXX XXXX XXXX, another registered data broker as defined under the laws of California, Oregon, and Vermont. 

Unverified Data Practices by XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX explicitly states that data brokers ( also known as information product companies ) collect, analyze, and sell consumer information as unverified legal documentation to be used by other companies. However, it is critical to emphasize that : Online bankruptcy records obtained through XXXX  are inherently unverified. 
XXXX provides public records but lacks any validation by court officials or trustees. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX offers an opt-out mechanism. Still, XXXX XXXX XXXX does not provide a comparable opt-out process, increasing the likelihood of recurring inaccuracies being reintegrated into my Equifax credit file. 

Lack of Verification by Bankruptcy Courts : It is imperative to note that employees of the United States Bankruptcy Courts, including the Northern District of Oklahoma Bankruptcy Court, do not verify bankruptcy records or confirm their accuracy for data brokers or credit reporting agencies.

Specifically : The Northern District of Oklahoma Bankruptcy Court and its trustees are not classified as credit furnishers and are therefore legally prohibited from transmitting or furnishing information to data brokers or credit reporting agencies. 
Federal bankruptcy records obtained through PACER omit a consumers full Social Security XXXX ( XXXX ) to protect against identity theft. Since a full SSN serves as the primary means of identity verification, any information disseminated by XXXX XXXX XXXX or XXXX XXXX XXXX is inherently unreliable and unverifiable. 

FCRA Violations, Permissible Purpose, and Unlawful Data Practices : The dissemination of unverified data by XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXXwithout proper verification that includes the consumers full SSNresults in misleading and inaccurate information being reported on consumer credit files. 

This practice : Violates 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Credit reporting agencies are required to adopt reasonable procedures to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of information included in consumer reports.

Violates 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( b ) : Furnishers have a duty to investigate and correct disputed information when notified by a credit reporting agency.

Lacks a permissible purpose under 15 U.S.C. 1681b : Any entity that obtains or disseminates a consumers personal information without a legitimate and permissible purpose violates federal law.

Increases the risk of identity theft : Dissemination of unverifiable personal information elevates the likelihood of fraud and unauthorized use of consumer data. 

Legal Precedent and CFPB XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : In XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, No. XXXX ( XXXX. XXXX 2013 ), the court held that credit reporting agencies may be held liable for failing to maintain accurate consumer files. As a covered entity under the FCRA, Equifax is legally obligated to investigate and correct inaccurate information promptly. 

Moreover, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) has recently increased its scrutiny of data brokers for failing to comply with permissible purpose requirements and failing to ensure the maximum possible accuracy in consumer credit files. 

Notably, CFPB enforcement actions have emphasized that data brokers can not provide or disseminate unverifiable information that could harm a consumers financial standing. 

Request for Full Disclosure of Data Sources : Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( c ) ( 2 ), I formally request a complete disclosure of all sources from which the inaccurate bankruptcy information was obtained, including but not limited to XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX. This disclosure is necessary to ensure compliance with the FCRA and identify any other data brokers contributing inaccurate information to my credit file.

Request for Immediate Action : Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ), I formally demand : 1. A comprehensive investigation into the inaccurate and unverified bankruptcy information reported on my credit file.

2. Immediate deletion of any unverifiable or misleading data obtained through XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, or any other unverified source. 
3. Permanent suppression of any reinsertion of inaccurate data obtained from these sources, in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( C ).

4. Written confirmation of the results of your investigation, including a detailed explanation of any corrections made to my credit file.

Notice of Potential Legal Action : If this matter is not resolved in full compliance with the FCRA within the legally mandated timeframe, I am fully prepared to escalate this dispute to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and pursue all legal remedies available under federal and state laws.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving confirmation that these inaccuracies have been corrected.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief