Consumer complaint received 2024-04-01 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: Early Warning Services, LLC
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am writing to lodge a formal complaint against Early Warning Services , LLC ( EWS ) for their failure to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the California Consumer Privacy Act ( CCPA ), and the Privacy Act of 1974. IEWS has unlawfully denied my requests concerning my personal information and has not adhered to the legal standards set forth in these statutes. I called today and requested to opt-out from them furnishing reports of my non-public personal information without their explicit consent, but they continued to tell me they " are not a typical credit reporting agency and don't sell any products covered by the FCRA, so they do not have to abide by those laws ''. I continued to cite all of the following laws that express my right to opt out of them selling my non-public personal information. 


1. **Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : ** - EWS, as a consumer reporting agency, is bound by the FCRA , particularly under 15 U.S. Code 6802 : 1 ) In general A financial institution may not disclose nonpublic personal information to a nonaffiliated third party unless ( A ) such financial institution clearly and conspicuously discloses to the consumer, in writing or in electronic form or other form permitted by the regulations prescribed under section 6804 of this title, that such information may be disclosed to such third party ; ( B ) the consumer is given the opportunity, before the time that such information is initially disclosed, to direct that such information not be disclosed to such third party ; and ( C ) the consumer is given an explanation of how the consumer can exercise that nondisclosure option. 

2. **Violation of the California Consumer Privacy Act ( CCPA ) : ** - Under Cal. Civ. Code 1798.100, 1798.120, and 1798.130, I am entitled to request that EWS disclose the personal information it has about me and to opt-out of the sale of my personal information. EWS denied me these rights, stating they do not have to abide by the consumer protection laws.

3. **Violation of the Privacy Act of 1974 : ** - As per 5 U.S.C . 552a, federal agencies and any entity under federal contract or operating within federal jurisdiction must protect individuals ' personal information and allow them to access and amend their records. EWS 's refusal to provide access to my personal records or to correct inaccuracies implies non-compliance with these requirements. 

EWS 's actions have not only caused me undue stress and potential financial harm but also represent a significant breach of statutory duties intended to protect consumer rights. I request a thorough investigation into these matters and urge the CFPB to enforce compliance by EWS, ensuring they adhere to these legal standards and respect consumer rights as mandated by law. 

It is also completely unprofessional to lie directly to the consumer 's face. They are going against all the laws put in place to protect us from these terrible corporations. 

When reading through XXXX XXXX 's and XXXX XXXX 's privacy notices, it states they will NOT share my non-public personal information with non-affiliates, but they did just that. They sold my information without my explicit SEPARATE written consent. 

REMOVE ANY AND ALL DATA YOU HAVE FURNISHED ON A REPORT IMMEDIATELY. I will not have my consumer rights blatantly ignored. I never gave any financial institution my explicit, separate, written consent to sell or share my data.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation