Consumer complaint received 2025-12-01 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:
Subject : Violation of FCRA Failure to Block Fraudulent Accounts Under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 To Whom It May Concern, On { date }, I submitted a valid Identity Theft Report to [ Experian / Equifax / TransUnion ] through IdentityTheft.gov, along with : A copy of my government-issued identification A copy of my Social Security card Proof of my current address These materials were submitted in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ), which requires a consumer reporting agency to block the reporting of information resulting from identity theft within four ( 4 ) business days of receiving : Proof of the consumers identity An Identity Theft Report as defined in 1681a ( q ) ( 4 ) The identification of the information to be blocked I complied fully with all statutory requirements. Legal Background : 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) : A consumer reporting agency
shall block the reporting of any information in the file of a consumer that the consumer identifies as information that resulted from an alleged identity theft, not later than 4 business days after the date of receipt by such agency of the above documentation.

CFPB Guidance ( Nov. 10, 2022 ) : Credit bureaus can not re
quire a police report or additional law enforcement confirmation if a valid Identity Theft Report has already been submitted through IdentityTheft.gov.

FTC Enforcement Actions : The FTC has taken action against credit bureaus that delay or refuse blocking by imposing unlawful extra-documentation requirements ( e.g., In the Matter of Equifax Inc., FTC File No. 102 3252 ).

Violation : Instead of complying, [ Experian ] responded with a stall ta
ctic, claiming that more documentation or law enforcement confirmation was needed. This is not required by 1681c-2 and directly contradicts both CFPB and FTC guidance .

I confirmed delivery of my documents via my CFPB complaint filed on { insert date } and verified receipt by telephone on { insert call date }. The representative I spoke with confirmed that all required documents were received. Despite this, [ Experian ] has failed to block the fraudulent accounts and inquiries from my credit report. 
Harm : This ongoing failure to comply with the law is : Continuing to damage my credit profile Preventing me from securing housing Limiting access to transportation and financial opportunities Demand for Immediate Action : Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2, I demand that [ Experian ] immediately : Block all fraudulent accounts, inquiries, and related information identified in my Identity Theft Report. 

Provide written confirmation that the block has been applied. 

Cease any further reporting of the disputed information to third parties. 

If compliance is not achieved IMMEDIATELY I will : Escalate my complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Trade Commission XXXX remedies under XXXX XXXX. XXXX & XXXX for willful or negligent noncompliance, including statutory damages, attorneys fees, and punitive damages. 
I am requesting that [ Experian/Equifax/Transunion ] XXXX XXXX XXXX the fraudulent accounts in accordance with XXXX XXXX. XXXX Cease all reporting and suppress the accounts from my credit file permanently Be held accountable for failing to follow the proper FCRA procedures after receiving all required documentation Get Proof Youre No Longer an XXXX Contact the original creditor ( the bank/issuer ) and ask for written confirmation that you were removed as an XXXX. 


Many will email or mail a closure/removal letter or an updated account statement showing youre not listed. 


Dispute With the XXXX ( Experian & Equifax in your case ) Use language like : This is not my account. I was an authorized user, but I have been removed. Under the FCRA, please delete this account from my file as it is not my responsibility. 



Attach the creditors letter showing youre no longer an XXXX. 


If They Still Dont Remove It File a CFPB complaint against the bureau for failing to correct an account that does not belong to you. 


You can also file a direct dispute with the furnisher ( the bank ) under FCRA XXXX, forcing them to notify all bureaus of the change. 


Key difference : Regular disputes often challenge accuracy or completeness. 


AU removal disputes challenge ownership its a faster, cleaner win when you have proof.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief