Consumer complaint received 2025-05-28 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Dear XXXX XXXX Department : I am writing to inform you that an XXXX XXXX account being reported by XXXX XXXX XXXX under my name is fraudulent and was opened without my authorization. The account number is XXXX ( the account appears to end in XXXX, opened around XX/XX/year>, with an original balance of about {$18000.00} ). I have never obtained an XXXX loan or any financing through XXXX. This account was XXXX  by an identity thief as part of a broader identity theft incident. I have attached a copy of my FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report documenting the fraudulent nature of this account. Previously, I disputed this account with XXXX XXXX XXXX and provided them with the necessary identity theft documentation. As required by FCRA XXXX, the credit reporting agencies blocked this fraudulent account from my credit file and removed it, also notifying XXXX as the furnisher that the account was the result of identity theft XXXXXXXX. For some time, the account did not appear on my credit reports. However, I have recently discovered that XXXX has re-reported ( or allowed the reinsertion of ) this account, causing it to show up again on my credit report. This is highly improper. Once an account is identified as fraudulent and blocked due to identity theft, it should not be reintroduced into credit reporting XXXX. I am invoking my rights under the FCRA and related laws and demanding that XXXX immediately cease all credit reporting of this fraudulent account and ensure its deletion from my credit records. There is no valid justification for continuing to report this account : I have provided compelling proof of the identity theft, and none of the narrow exceptions for re-reporting blocked information apply consumer.ftc.gov. In fact, by being notified of the identity theft, XXXX should also know that it XXXX not lawfully pursue collection of this debt or sell/transfer it for collection fair-debt-collection.com. Any such actions, including negative credit reporting, would violate federal law. Here is what I expect from XXXX XXXX XXXX : Immediately notify XXXX credit bureauXXXX ( ExperianXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) to permanently delete the account # XXXX from my credit profile as it is the result of identity theft. The account should also be flagged so that it is not re-reported or reinserted in the future under my information. 
Cease any reporting or verification of this account in response to credit inquiries. If the credit bureaus inquire during their block process, you should confirm that the account is fraudulent and should be removed. 
Do not attempt to collect on this account. This includes phone calls, statements, or any communication seeking payment, as well as refraining from selling the debt. It is a null debt created by fraud. 
Provide written confirmation to me that you have carried out the above steps. Specifically, I request a letter or email stating that the XXXX account in my name was fraudulent, has been removed from all credit reporting, and that XXXX has informed the credit bureauXXXX of the identity theft status of the account. 
Time is of the essence. I expect your confirmation within XXXX days of this notice. If I do not receive adequate confirmation, or if this account remains on my credit reports beyond a reasonable processing time, I will escalate the matter. I will file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Arizona Attorney XXXX XXXX ( as XXXX is based in AZ ), and I will consider taking legal action for violations of the FCRA. XXXX must recognize its responsibility under the law to assist victims of identity theft. Preventing fraudulent accounts from damaging consumers credit is precisely what FCRA XXXX is meant to accomplish credlocity.com, and I am counting on Bridgecrests cooperation in this regard. Thank you for your prompt attention to this issue. I trust that you will resolve this matter immediately and professionally. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX Victim of Identity Theft Fraudulent XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation