Consumer complaint received 2025-10-23 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: TX

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB Consumer Protection Division : I am filing this formal complaint against Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax for multiple willful violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act that have damaged my credit profile and caused me significant financial harm. 

BACKGROUND : On XXXX  of XXXX, I submitted a formal dispute to Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax regarding fraudulent/inaccurate account information appearing on my credit report. Despite providing clear evidence and documentation, the credit bureau has violated federal law in their handling of my dispute. 

SPECIFIC FCRA VIOLATIONS : VIOLATION # XXXX : 15 U.S.C. 1681i - FAILURE TO CONDUCT REASONABLE INVESTIGATION Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax failed to conduct a reasonable investigation as required under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ).

Specifically : They failed to review the documentation I provided proving the account was fraudulent/not mine They conducted a perfunctory " investigation '' that consisted only of automated verification with the furnisher They ignored my identity theft declaration submitted under penalty of perjury They failed to contact me for additional information when a reasonable investigation required it The investigation was completed in an unreasonably short time without proper review Under 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), credit reporting agencies must conduct a reasonable investigation, not merely relay information between consumer and furnisher. Their cursory review violated this standard. 

VIOLATION # 2 : 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) - ILLEGAL REINSERTION OF DISPUTED INFORMATION Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax violated 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) by reinsering previously disputed information without proper certification.

Specifically : They reinserted the disputed account information without obtaining certification from the furnisher They failed to provide me with written notice within 5 business days of reinsertion as required They did not include the name, address, and telephone number of the furnisher who provided the certification The reinsertion occurred without the furnisher certifying that the information was complete and accurate No reasonable investigation was conducted before reinsertion Section 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) explicitly prohibits reinsertion unless the furnisher certifies the information 's accuracy and completeness. This did not occur.

VIOLATION # 3 : 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 - FAILURE TO BLOCK IDENTITY THEFT INFORMATION Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax violated 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 by failing to block information resulting from identity theft. Specifically : I provided an identity theft report and supporting documentation as required under 1681c-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) They failed to block the fraudulent information within 4 business days as required by 1681c-2 ( a ) ( 2 ) They continue to report information that I have identified as resulting from identity theft They failed to notify furnishers of the blocked information as required under 1681c-2 ( a ) ( 3 ) Section 1681c-2 mandates the immediate blocking of identity theft information upon receipt of proper documentation, which was not done. 

TIMELINE OF VIOLATIONS : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  : Initial dispute letter sent with supporting documentation XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  : Inadequate investigation completed, dispute rejected XX/XX/XXXX : Follow-up letter sent with additional evidence XX/XX/XXXX : Information illegally reinserted without certification XX/XX/XXXX : Identity theft documentation submitted XX/XX/XXXX : Blocking requirements ignored XX/XX/XXXX : Violations continue despite multiple attempts to resolve HARM XXXX  : Credit score decrease of more than XXXX points Denial of credit applications Higher interest rates on approved credit Emotional distress and time spent resolving violations Potential financial losses from the inability to obtain favorable credit terms REQUESTED RELIEF : XXXX. Immediate Investigation of these FCRA violations XXXX. Enforcement Action against Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax for willful non-compliance XXXX. Mandatory Compliance with blocking and investigation requirements XXXX. Monetary Penalties for willful violations under 15 U.S.C. 1681n 5. Systemic Review of Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax dispute and investigation procedures XXXX. Consumer Education about rights under identity theft provisions SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION : I have enclosed copies of : All correspondence with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax Credit reports showing disputed/fraudulent information Identity theft documentation Evidence of improper reinsertion Timeline of violation events Documentation of harm suffered LEGAL AUTHORITY : This complaint is filed under the CFPB 's supervisory and enforcement authority over credit reporting agencies pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 5564 and the Consumer Financial Protection Act.

These violations appear to be willful and systematic, demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance with federal consumer protection laws. Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax conduct violates the fundamental purposes of the FCRA to ensure accuracy, fairness, and privacy of consumer credit information. 

I request that the CFPB take immediate action to investigate these violations and ensure compliance with federal law. I am prepared to provide any additional information or documentation needed for your investigation. 

Please let me know when you've received this complaint and give me a reference number for tracking purposes. I expect a response within the timeframes established by CFPB procedures. 

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation