Consumer complaint received 2025-01-29 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: FL

Complaint narrative:
Comprehensive Dispute Letter to the CFPB Subject : Formal Dispute, Federal Violations, Cybersecurity Negligence, and Demand for Immediate Deletion XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX To : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX CFPB ) CC : Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ) National Credit Union Administration ( NCUA ) Department of Justice ( DOJ ) State Attorneys General XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) I. Introduction I submit this formal dispute to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) to address systemic violations, negligence, and malpractice by Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX. These entities have repeatedly failed to comply with their obligations under federal law, resulting in substantial financial harm, emotional distress, and irreparable damage to my creditworthiness.

Operating as private businesses under 15 U.S.C. 1681a ( w ), these companies falsely position themselves as credit bureaus while profiting from retaining inaccurate and damaging information on consumer credit reports. Their conduct represents willful noncompliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ), and Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014. These failures have left me exposed to identity theft, fraudulent reporting, and financial instability. 

This letter formally demands the immediate deletion of all disputed accounts, correction of inaccuracies in my personal information, and strict compliance with all applicable federal statutes, particularly FCRA 605B and FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ). Failure to meet these demands within the federally mandated timeframe will result in immediate escalation to all relevant regulatory and legal avenues.

II. Authorization and Legal Basis Under federal law, including but not limited to the FCRA, GLBA, and UCC 2-302, I authorize the CFPB to fully investigate and enforce compliance on the part of Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX. These agencies have demonstrated a pattern of negligence and systemic violations, causing direct harm to my financial rights and privacy.

Key Legal Protections : 1. FCRA 605B : Mandates the deletion of fraudulent accounts within four business days of receiving notification from the consumer.

2. FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) : Prohibits the reinsertion of previously deleted items without proper certification and prior written notification to the consumer.

3. FCRA 1681e ( b ) : Requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain maximum possible accuracy of information.

4. GLBA 6801 ( b ) : Obligates financial institutions to safeguard consumer information against breaches and unauthorized access.

5. Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 : Requires robust cybersecurity measures to prevent consumer data breaches.

6. 15 U.S.C. 1681n : Establishes civil liability for willful noncompliance with the FCRA, including {$1000.00} per violation damages.

7. UCC 2-302 : Declares contracts of adhesion, often forced upon consumers by creditors, as unconscionable and unenforceable.

III. Correct Personal Information The following represents my correct personal information : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Florida XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Disputed Accounts The following accounts are fraudulent, inaccurate, and/or unlawfully reinserted into my credit file : XXXX. Unauthorized Inquiry - XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Removal Date : XX/XX/XXXX Type : Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX. Unauthorized Inquiry- XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Removal Date : XX/XX/XXXX Type : Auto Financing Companies Phone Number : ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX. Unauthorized Inquiry- XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX -Date of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX - Removal Date : XX/XX/XXXX - Type : Automobile Dealers, Used - Phone Number : ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX. Unauthorized Inquiry- XXXX XXXX Date Of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Removal Date : XX/XX/XXXX Type : All banks-Non -Specific Phone Number : ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX. Unauthorized Inquiry- XXXX XXXXXXXX Date Of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Removal Date : XX/XX/XXXX Type : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Removal Date : XX/XX/XXXX Type : Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX. Unauthorized Inquiry- XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Removal Date : XX/XX/XXXX Type : Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX. Unauthorized Inquiry- XXXX XXXX XXXX Date Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Removal Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Type XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX. Unauthorized Inquiry- XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX Removal Date : XX/XX/XXXX Type : Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) XXXX XXXX. Unauthorized Inquiry- XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Of Inquiry : XX/XX/XXXX Removal Date : XX/XX/XXXX Type : Personal Loan Company Phone Number : ( XXXX ) XXXX Disputed Account Information : Creditor Name : XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Account Type : Installment Account Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Account Status : Closed Status : Paid or Paying as agreed Date Closed : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX {$0.00} ( Paid Off ) Original Balance : {$9400.00} Terms : 48 Months Monthly Payment : {$290.00} Issues Identified with the XXXX XXXX Account Erroneous Late Payment : The account shows XXXX late payments ( XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX ) while simultaneously reporting the account status as Paid or paying as agreed. Since this account was settled and closed in XX/XX/XXXX, these late payments are inconsistent with the accounts status and should be removed. 
Inconsistent Reporting : The account has been reported inconsistently across the credit bureaus, creating discrepancies in the information available to potential creditors and lenders. This negatively impacts my creditworthiness and violates the FCRAS requirement for maximum possible accuracy in consumer reports.

V. Systemic Violations by Credit Reporting Agencies A. FCRA Violations 1. FCRA 605B : Fraudulent accounts must be deleted within four business days upon notification. My disputed accounts remain unresolved, violating this statutory requirement.

2. FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) : Unlawful rein
sertion of deleted accounts without certification or proper written notice demonstrates blatant disregard for federal law.

3. FCRA 1681e ( b ) : Failure to maintain the maximum possible accuracy of consumer credit reports has significantly harmed my financial stability.

B. Cybersecurity Negligence 1. Equifax Data Breach and GLBA Violations : The Equifax data breach, which exposed millions of consumers sensitive information, violated GLBA 6801 ( b ) by failing to safeguard consumer data adequately.

2. Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 : The lack of robust cybersecurity protocols has directly contributed to the exposure and misuse of my data.

C. Deceptive Practices and Misrepresentation 1. 15 U.S.C. 1681a ( w ) : These entities are private businesses, not government-regulated credit bureaus, as defined under federal law. Their misrepresentation as bureaus undermines consumer trust and violates federal regulations.

2. UCC 2-302 : Contracts of adhesion imposed by creditors are unconscionable and unenforceable, further illustrating the systemic exploitation of consumers.

VI. Demands for Immediate Resolution 1. Immediate Deletion of Fraudulent Accounts : All disputed accounts ( detailed in Section IV ) must be deleted within four business days, as mandated by FCRA 605B.

2. Correction of Personal Information : All inaccurate names, addresses, and employment records must be removed from my credit file.

3. Prohibition of Data Reinsertion : Guarantee compliance with FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) to prevent the unlawful reinsertion of deleted accounts without proper certification and notification.

4. Method of Verification ( MOV ) : Provide detailed MOV reports for each disputed account, including original source documentation, under FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 7 ).

5. Cybersecurity Audit : Conduct a full cybersecurity audit and submit proof of compliance with GLBA 6801 ( b ) and the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014.

6. Compensation for Financial Harm : Compensate me for financial harm, emotional distress, and reputational damage caused by these violations under 15 U.S.C. 1681n.

VII. Conclusion This formal dispute serves as a demand for immediate corrective action under all applicable federal laws. I insist that all disputed accounts and inaccurate personal information be permanently deleted and corrected within four business days, as mandated under FCRA 605B.

Failure to comply will result in immediate escalation to the following regulatory bodies : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ) National Credit Union Administration ( NCUA ) Department of Justice ( DOJ ) State Attorneys General XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Additionally, I reserve the right to pursue civil litig
ation under 15 U.S.C. 1681n for willful noncompliance, seeking monetary damages for financial harm, emotional distress, and reputational damage. I will also take steps to ensure public accountability through media channels and consumer advocacy groups to expose these systemic violations. 

You are hereby reminded that noncompliance with these demands constitutes a direct violation of my federally protected rights. I expect written confirmation of all corrective actions within the specified timeframe. Continued failure to act in accordance with federal law will be met with every legal and regulatory measure available to me. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, FL XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation