Consumer complaint received 2025-01-19 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: TN

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Complaint Against Equifax for Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) -- - To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint as a victim of identity theft whose personal information was exposed during the XXXX Social Security Data Breach. Despite my repeated efforts to resolve the matter in good faith, Equifax has failed to uphold its legal obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act ( CFPA ) by refusing to remove fraudulent accounts and inquiries from my credit report. 


-- - Background Following the XXXX Social Security Data Breach, fraudulent accounts were opened in my name without my authorization. These include : XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX Fraudulent Amount : {$25000.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX : {$13000.00} Additionally, unauthorized credit inquiries from XXXX XXXX XXXX are present on my credit report. 

I have provided Equifax with : An FTC Identity Theft Report ( Report No. XXXX ). 

Properly completed dispute submissions.

Sufficient evidence, including a sworn affidavit, establishing that these accounts were fraudulently created and are not mine.

Despite meeting all statutory requirements for reporting identity theft under 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2, Equifax has refused to block these accounts and inquiries, in clear violation of my rights under the FCRA. 


-- - Violations by Equifax Equifaxs refusal to investigate and correct the fraudulent information on my credit file constitutes the following violations : 1. Failure to Conduct a Reasonable Reinvestigation ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) : Equifax has failed to investigate and resolve my disputes in a timely and reasonable manner, as required by the FCRA. Instead, it has relied excessively on responses from furnishers without independently verifying the accuracy of the disputed information, as evidenced in CFPB Case No. 2025-CFPB-0002. 


2. Failure to Block Identity Theft-Related Information ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) : Despite receiving proper documentation, Equifax has failed to block the fraudulent accounts and inquiries within the statutory timeframe of four business days. 


3. Failure to Maintain Accurate Reporting ( 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ) : Equifax has failed to maintain reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy in my credit file, as required under the FCRA.

4. Failure to Provide Adequate Notifications ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ) : Equifax has failed to provide clear and accurate notifications regarding the results of its reinvestigations, depriving me of the ability to understand or further dispute its findings.

5. Engaging in Unfair Practices ( 12 U.S.C. 5531 ) : Equifaxs systemic failures in dispute handling and its refusal to take corrective action have caused substantial harm, including damage to my creditworthiness, in violation of the CFPA.

-- - Harm Suffered Equifaxs failure to address these violations has caused me significant harm, including : Financial Damage : Denial of a {$450000.00} housing loan application due to inaccuracies on my credit report.

Emotional Distress : Anxiety and stress resulting from Equifaxs negligence and disregard for my rights.

Loss of Credit Opportunities : Being unfairly penalized by lenders due to Equifaxs refusal to remove fraudulent accounts and inquiries.

-- - Legal Precedents Equifaxs actions mirror the systemic failures documented in the CFPBs Consent Order against Equifax ( File No. 2025-CFPB-0002 ). These failures include : Unreasonable reliance on furnishers responses without independent verification.

Deficient procedures for processing disputes related to identity theft.

Failure to prevent reinsertion of inaccurate or fraudulent information.

These documented practices demonstrate a pattern of noncompliance that has harmed not only me but millions of consumers nationwide.

-- - Demand for Immediate Action I demand that the CFPB take swift action to address Equifaxs violations and hold it accountable for its continued noncompliance with federal laws. Specifically, I request : 1. Immediate Removal of Fraudulent Information : All fraudulent accounts and inquiries must be permanently deleted from my credit file.

2. Compliance Monitoring : Equifax must be subjected to independent audits to ensure compliance with the FCRA and CFPA.

3. Damages for Harm Caused : Equifax must compensate me for the financial and emotional harm caused by its negligence, including damages for emotional distress and lost credit opportunities.

4. Civil Penalties : Equifax must face significant penalties to deter future violations, consistent with the penalties outlined in the CFPBs Consent Order against Equifax.

Conclusion Equifax has violated my rights under the FCRA and CFPA by failing to investigate my disputes, remove fraudulent information, and ensure the accuracy of my credit file. Its negligence has caused me significant harm, and I request that the CFPB intervene to enforce compliance and provide restitution for the damage caused. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation