Consumer complaint received 2025-05-21 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: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Introduction & Summary of Complaint I, XXXX XXXX, hereby submit this second formal complaint against Experian and Equifax for their willful and unlawful handling of a fraudulent XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account on my credit reports. This account was previously deleted from all of my credit files ( as of XX/XX/year> ) after being confirmed inaccurate and unauthorized, yet it has been reinserted without any notice to me a blatant violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ( ii ). The reinsertion of this deleted account is fraudulent, deceptive, and has caused me severe emotional and financial harm. I write to demand immediate relief and to hold Experian and Equifax accountable for this egregious breach of my consumer rights. 

Summary of Issues : Illegal Reinsertion without Notice : A XXXX  account not belonging to me was deleted after dispute, but Experian and Equifax reinserted it into my credit reports without providing the required written notice within 5 business days, violating federal law.

Unauthorized/Stolen Account : The XXXX account in question is the result of unauthorized use of my identity effectively a stolen account that I never opened, authorized, or benefited from. It should never have been reported under my name. 
Pattern of Misconduct : Experian and Equifax have demonstrated a pattern of deceptive trade practices and systemic misconduct, ignoring my prior CFPB complaint ( filed XX/XX/year> ) and continuing to report false information. This knowing failure to correct their practices shows a willful violation of the FCRA and other consumer protection laws. 
Consumer Harm : I am suffering significant emotional distress ( anxiety, sleeplessness, and humiliation ) and financial injury ( damage to my credit scores, denial of credit opportunities, and higher costs ) due to their negligence and willful non-compliance. I have been forced to expend time and resources to address a fictitious debt, which is ruining my financial reputation through no fault of my own. 

I urge the CFPB to take this complaint with utmost seriousness. Below, I provide detailed facts, legal violations, and the relief sought. My goal is the permanent deletion of this bogus account and accountability for those responsible, so that no other consumer endures this debt slavery being trapped by a false debt on their credit report. 

Background : Deleted Account Illegally Reinserted XXXX  Account Details : The account at issue is a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account that was fraudulently opened or attributed to me without my authorization. After discovering it on my credit reports, I disputed the account with all credit bureaus. As a result, by XX/XX/year>, the account was deleted from my Experian and Equifax reports ( indicating it was unverified/inaccurate ). I have official dispute results confirming that the XXXX tradeline was removed due to lack of verification or accuracy. 

Reinsertion without Notice : Shockingly, in XX/XX/year>, I found that this XXXX account had been reinserted into my Experian and Equifax credit files without any advance notice or explanation. I never received the written notice that is required within XXXX business days of reinsertion under the FCRA. In fact, I received no communication whatsoever from Experian or Equifax informing me that they were adding this previously-deleted item back onto my reports. This clandestine reinsertion is illegal. FCRA 611 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) ) lays out strict conditions for reinserting deleted information : Certification Requirement : A deleted item may not be reinserted unless the furnisher certifies the information is complete and accurate.

Consumer Notice Requirement : If a deleted item is reinserted, the credit bureau shall notify the consumer in writing within XXXX business days of the reinsertion, including details of the furnisher and the consumers rights. 

Experian and Equifax appear to have violated both provisions. They either reinserted the account without obtaining a valid certification of accuracy, or accepted a dubious certification despite the account being previously deemed unverifiable. In either case, they failed to notify me in writing of the reinsertion within the 5-day window ( or at all ). This is a direct violation of federal law. By law, the absence of timely notice alone renders the reinsertion unlawful. The violation is clear-cut and inexcusable.

No New Information or Valid Basis : There was no legitimate new information that could suddenly make this account verified. The account remains fraudulent and inaccurate. Its prior deletion establishes that XXXX could not verify it as my debt. Any purported certification by XXXX to re-report this account is highly suspect and likely false. Therefore, the reinsertion is not only procedurally improper, but also a substantive act of fraud re-reporting information known to be unverifiable and false. I have strong reason to believe this reinsertion was done in bad faith, possibly as part of a collusive arrangement between XXXX and the credit bureaus to push a bogus debt onto my reports. ( Notably, XXXX stands to benefit from having the account reappear, as it pressures me to pay or settle a debt I do not owe. Experian and Equifaxs willingness to violate the law in this manner raises the question of whether they are receiving fees or other incentives for such illicit reinsertions an unlawful collusion and abuse of the credit reporting system. ) Lack of Notice to Complainant : To reiterate, I was completely blindsided by the reappearance of this account. I only discovered the reinsertion by monitoring my credit no notice came from Experian or Equifax. This lack of notice deprived me of the opportunity to immediately dispute or block the reinserted entry, which is exactly the kind of harm the FCRAs notice requirement is meant to prevent. The bureaus secretive action demonstrates a willful disregard for my rights and basic fairness. 

Unauthorized Account & Identity Theft The XXXX account is fraudulent it does not belong to me. It appears to be an account opened or used by someone else ( or created due to identity theft ), which was then incorrectly attributed to me on my credit file. I have never had any business relationship with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. This account is the result of identity theft or mistaken identity, and it was already acknowledged as such when it was deleted after my initial dispute. 

Account Was Stolen/Inaccurate : For clarity, this account is essentially a stolen account either opened using my personal information without my permission, or erroneously reported under my name when it pertains to another individual. It is an inaccurate trade line that should never have been reported on my credit in the first place. By reinserting this account, Experian and Equifax are effectively reporting bogus debt information against an innocent consumer ( myself ). This is beyond negligent ; it is a knowing dissemination of false information. 

XXXX. FCRA 623 Violations by Furnisher ( XXXX ) : While this complaint is directed at the credit bureaus, it must be noted that XXXX, as the furnisher, XXXX have violated its own legal duties. If XXXX certified the account as accurate despite it being fraudulent, XXXX violated FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ), which prohibits furnishing information known ( or that should be known ) to be inaccurate. XXXX also failed to conduct a good-faith reinvestigation upon my disputes and apparently re-furnished the disputed information without any new proof of validity a potential violation of FCRA 623 ( b ) duties to investigate and correct. These actions by XXXX amount to furnishing false credit information and could not have been done in good faith. I am including this point because Experian and Equifaxs reinsertion of the account suggests they relied on XXXX word ; if so, all parties are complicit in re-reporting false data. Experian and Equifax had an obligation under FCRA 611 to ensure the furnishers certification was legitimate before reinstating the item they apparently failed in this obligation.

4. Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices ( UDAP ) : The conduct of Experian and Equifax constitutes unfair or deceptive trade practices in violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 45 ) and state consumer protection laws. Reinserting a previously deleted, disputed debt without notice is inherently deceptive, as it misleads the consumer and any third-party viewing the report about the legitimacy of the debt. It is also unfair, as it causes substantial injury ( credit damage and emotional distress ) that the consumer can not reasonably avoid, with no countervailing benefit. These credit bureaus are systemically betraying consumer trust and public policy by flouting dispute resolutions and secretly re-aging debts. In fact, the CFPB has recently taken enforcement action underscoring how both Equifax and Experian have engaged in systemic violations related to dispute handling and reinsertion : Equifax was found to have allowed previously deleted inaccuracies to be reinserted into credit reports, leading to a {$15.00} million penalty in XXXX  and Experian was sued in 2025 for failing to properly investigate disputes and reinserting errors on credit reports. This shows that what I am experiencing is not an isolated mistake but part of a pattern of willful misconduct by these bureaus. Experian and Equifaxs actions in my case mirror the very abuses identified by regulators ( e.g. sham investigations and unlawful reinsertion ), proving their knowing non-compliance despite being on notice. It is deeply deceptive and unethical for Experian and Equifax to present themselves as purveyors of accurate credit data while deliberately reintroducing information they know to be false. Such behavior also violates the spirit of the Consumer Financial Protection Act ( under which the CFPB can deem practices unfair or abusive ). 
XXXX. Debt Slavery and Potential Extortionate Conduct : By continuously reporting a false debt that I do not owe, Experian and Equifax have effectively shackled me to a debt that is entirely fabricated. This situation feels like a form of * * debt bondage or debt slavery, wherein I, the consumer, am being forced to suffer indefinite credit harm unless I somehow pay or resolve a debt that isnt mine. This term is not used lightly the practice of coercing payment by damaging someones credit is akin to using extortion. In fact, using credit reporting as a weapon to pressure consumers into paying illegitimate debts can be seen as an extortionate means of debt collection. Under 18 U.S.C. 894, it is a federal crime to use extortionate means ( including coercion or implicit threats ) to collect a debt, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. While Experian and Equifax are not traditional debt collectors, their willful perpetuation of false credit data serves to coerce me into paying or dealing with the fraudulent XXXX account to regain my financial freedom. They are facilitating XXXX attempted collection through extortionate damage to my reputation. I want to put Experian and Equifax on notice that this behavior is not just a civil violation it veers into potentially criminal territory. By knowingly participating in the continued reporting of a bogus debt ( after being informed of its false nature through disputes and a prior CFPB complaint ), they are participat [ ing ] in the use ofextortionate means to collect an extension of credit. If they do not cease, I will be urging regulators and law enforcement to investigate these actions under relevant criminal statutes. No consumer should be held financial hostage by false information in this manner.

In summary, Experian and Equifax have violated the FCRA, the FTC Act, and possibly criminal laws through their handling of my case. Their actions are knowing, willful, and part of a broader pattern of ignoring consumer rights. 

Prior CFPB Complaint & Willful Non-Compliance This is my second CFPB complaint on this matter. I previously submitted a CFPB complaint on XX/XX/year>, detailing the issues with this XXXX account and the improper conduct of Experian and Equifax. That prior complaint put both bureaus on explicit notice of the accounts fraudulent nature and their legal obligations. Equifax and Experian were thus fully aware as of early XX/XX/year> that : ( a ) the XXXX account did not belong to me, had been deleted for lack of verifiability, and ( b ) any reinsertion would be unlawful without following FCRA protocols. Despite this, they have failed to take corrective action and allowed the situation to deteriorate further. The fact that the account remains ( or was reinserted ) after my XX/XX/XXXX complaint demonstrates a knowing and willful violation. They are not making a mistake in good faith they are consciously flouting the law. This willfulness entitles me to enhanced remedies under the FCRA ( such as punitive damages ). It also indicates that internal compliance and back-office teams at these bureaus are either negligently incompetent or intentionally abusing the system. In either case, accountability is required. 

I urge the CFPB to review my prior complaint ( including any responses, or lack thereof, from Experian/Equifax ) as context. The bureaus disregard of a regulator-facilitated complaint process highlights their brazen attitude. If a CFPB complaint could not compel them to simply obey the law and remove a known false account, it evidences a systemic problem and a willful contempt for consumer protection laws on the part of these companies. It is also evidence that stronger action such as supervisory or enforcement intervention may be needed by CFPB in addition to resolving my individual issue.

Impact on Complainant ( Damages ) Experian and Equifaxs actions have caused me substantial harm, both emotionally and financially : Emotional Distress : I have suffered anxiety, stress, and loss of peace of mind knowing that a blatantly false account is tarnishing my credit. I constantly worry about who sees this misinformation be it lenders, employers, or landlords and what they might think. The situation has caused me sleepless nights and feelings of powerlessness. It is deeply traumatic to be effectively accused of owing a debt that was a result of identity theft. The reinsertion incident done secretly has further eroded my trust in the credit reporting system. I feel harassed and abused by the very agencies that are supposed to maintain fair and accurate credit files. This emotional toll is real and significant. 
Damage to Credit Standing : The false XXXX account has negatively impacted my credit score and credit profile. It is likely being reported with derogatory information ( e.g. a fraudulent balance, late payments or charge-off status that are not mine ), which lowers my credit score unjustly. As a result, I have been denied credit or offered credit at much higher interest rates than I deserve. For example, after this account reappeared, I noticed a drop in my credit score and have received credit card denials that cite serious delinquency or accounts in collection which align with the bogus XXXX entry. This means I am effectively being financially penalized for a crime committed against me. It is an outrageous situation. 
Interference in Life Opportunities : Because of this inaccurate credit information, my access to housing and employment may also be hindered. Many landlords and employers check credit reports. I now live in fear that an apartment application or even a job offer could be jeopardized by Experian and Equifax reporting me as delinquent on a fraudulent debt. This is causing immense additional stress and potentially limiting my economic opportunities. Such ripple effects are exactly why FCRA exists and why its violation is so serious. 
Financial Costs and Time Loss : I have spent countless hours disputing, monitoring, and attempting to resolve this issue time that I should have been spending on my job and family. Ive incurred costs for mailing dispute letters, possibly credit monitoring services, and other expenses trying to protect myself. I am also preparing to file police reports or additional identity theft affidavits, which is an onerous process. All these burdens exist solely because Experian and Equifax failed to do their jobs correctly. They should compensate me for these losses. Moreover, I intend to seek statutory damages for each willful FCRA violation ( up to {$1000.00} each ) and any actual damages in a court of law if this is not promptly resolved, as allowed by FCRA 616, 617 ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n, 1681o ). The FCRA provides for even punitive damages for willful violations, which I will pursue given the egregious and knowing nature of this misconduct. 

In summary, the negligence and willful misconduct of Experian and Equifax have caused me intense emotional suffering and put me at risk of tangible financial harm. They must be held accountable for these damages. I ask the CFPB to consider these impacts and use its full authority to obtain relief and deterrence. 

Relief Demanded Given the above facts and violations, I am seeking the following immediate relief and remedies to resolve my complaint : Permanent Deletion of the XXXX XXXXccount : Immediately and permanently delete the XXXX  account from all of my credit reports at Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion ( if it appears there ). This deletion should occur without possibility of reinsertion. The account is fraudulent, unverified, and unverifiable it must be removed for good. 
Written Confirmation of Deletion and Cessation : Provide me with written confirmation ( from a high-level representative of Experian and Equifax ) that the XXXX XXXXcount has been deleted and will not be reported again under my file. This documentation should be provided within five ( 5 ) business days of your receipt of this complaint and should be on official letterhead, signed by a person with authority. It must state that Experian and Equifax will cease all reporting and use of this account data in any consumer report or credit score relating to me. In essence, I want proof that this account is gone and will stay gone permanently. 
Documentation of Any Reinsertion Actions : I demand full documentation and disclosure of how this account was reinserted. This includes : any certification of accuracy XXXX provided, the date and method of reinsertion, the internal records showing the decision process for reinsertion, and identification of the employees or agents involved in approving the reinsertion at Experian and Equifax. I have a right to this information, especially given that the FCRA entitles me to know the furnishers details and that a reinsertion occurred ( which I was never told ). I want to see how such a mistake was allowed to happen despite the law and a prior dispute. 
Identity Theft Block Implementation : Upon receipt of my FTC Identity Theft Report and request, Experian and Equifax must immediately block the reporting of the XXXX XXXXccount ( as well as any inquiries or derivative information related to it ) in my credit file, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2. This block must be put in place within 4 business days of my providing the required documentation, and I should receive confirmation of the block. After blocking, the bureaus must not reinsert or un-block the item unless permitted by the narrow exceptions in the law ( which do not apply here, as this is a clear case of identity theft, not an error or frivolous claim ). 
Cease & Desist Order to XXXX XXXX XXXX request that CFPB forward a cease-and-desist notice to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX through this complaint process as well. XXXX must be instructed to cease all furnishing of this account data to any credit reporting agency. They should also cease any collection activities on this account, including harassing calls or communications ( I have received collection calls regarding this account in the past, which is outrageous since its not mine ). XXXX should be on notice that they face legal liability if they continue to pursue a victim of identity theft for this debt. While XXXX is not the primary subject of this complaint, their cooperation is necessary for a complete resolution. They should investigate their own records, recognize this account as fraudulent, close it, and not sell or transfer it ( if they havent already ). 
Updated Credit Reports : After deletion and blocking, I demand updated copies of my Experian and Equifax credit reports ( at no charge to me ) to verify that the XXXX account has been removed. Additionally, my credit scores should be recalculated without the influence of this derogatory item, and I should be provided some assurance that any lingering negative impact ( such as low score or risk flags caused by the account ) has been fully mitigated. 
Goodwill Measures for Damage Done : While the immediate deletion is top priority, I also ask that Experian and Equifax take steps to mitigate the damage Ive suffered. For instance, they should assist me in notifying any recent creditors who pulled my report that the derogatory information was erroneous ( so I can perhaps get credit reconsidered ). They should also consider offering me a period of complimentary credit monitoring or other services to help regain my confidence, given how their failures have increased my risk. At minimum, I expect an apology and acknowledgment of error from both companies. 

All the above actions are necessary to make me whole and prevent further harm. I expect these remedies to be carried out immediately upon receipt of this complaint. I will not accept half-measures ( such as a temporary deletion or a vague promise ). I want concrete, verifiable action and documentation. 

Accountability and Further Actions It is not enough to simply delete the account now that the damage is done ; Experian and Equifax must also be held accountable so that they do not repeat such conduct. I am therefore requesting that beyond the individual relief, the CFPB consider the following measures and that Experian and Equifax acknowledge these steps : Internal Disciplinary Action : Experian and Equifax should investigate the actions of their employees and automated systems that led to this unlawful reinsertion. The back-office compliance and dispute teams responsible must be retrained, disciplined, or removed if they willfully violated protocols. I demand that the companies report what internal corrective action they are taking ( e.g., if a particular department failed to send the notice, what is being done about it? ). Individual accountability is important those who knowingly broke the law should face professional consequences. 
Compliance Review and Certification : I call on Experian and Equifax to conduct a thorough compliance review of their reinvestigation and reinsertion procedures, and to certify to the CFPB ( and to me in writing ) that they have implemented measures to prevent such unlawful reinsertion in the future. This might include improved system checks to enforce the FCRA 5-day notice rule and stronger verification requirements before any deleted data can be re-reported. Given the CFPBs findings of widespread issues at these bureaus, a proactive compliance step is warranted.

Regulatory Enforcement : I respectfully urge the CFPB to use its supervisory and enforcement authority in this case. These violations go beyond my individual incident ; they reflect broader problems. If not already under an enforcement action, Experians and Equifaxs behavior here might merit inclusion in any ongoing CFPB oversight of credit reporting agencies. The CFPB should ensure they pay penalties if appropriate, just as Equifax was fined for similar issues earlier in 2025. A strong regulatory response will incentivize compliance and show the industry that reinsertions without notice and related abuses will not be tolerated. 
Civil Litigation : If Experian and Equifax do not fully remedy this situation, I am prepared to pursue a civil lawsuit for FCRA and related violations. I will seek all available damages statutory, actual, and punitive for their willful noncompliance. As noted, willful FCRA violations can result in significant financial penalties and even punitive damages. I am also aware that each failure to comply ( each improper reinsertion and each lack of notice ) can be a separate violation, potentially multiplying the statutory damages. I would prefer to avoid litigation, but I will not hesitate if my rights continue to be ignored.

Criminal Referral : Given the hints of collusion and willful data manipulation in this case, I also put Experian and Equifax on notice that I may seek a referral to the FTC, state Attorneys General, or even the Department of Justice for investigation into potential criminal law violations. As discussed, using false credit reporting to extort payment can violate federal criminal law ( 18 U.S.C. 894 ). Additionally, if any individual at the bureaus altered or suppressed the required consumer notice or tampered with my dispute, that could be considered mail or wire fraud. Knowingly providing false information to a federal regulator ( if they respond to CFPB with false claims ) can also be a crime. I urge the companies to consider their personal and corporate exposure here. This is not a standard, low-level error its a willful act that carries legal risk.

Personal Accountability of Management : I demand that upper management at Experian and Equifax acknowledge this complaint and take responsibility. Often these kinds of problems stem from corporate policies that prioritize profit or appeasing furnishers over consumers rights. I want to see a statement from a senior compliance officer or executive that they have reviewed my case and are ensuring compliance going forward. If this does not happen, it further evidences a culture of compliance failure, which I will report to the CFPB and appropriate authorities.

Legislative and Public Policy Note It is worth noting that public policy is moving in a direction to further protect consumers from exactly the kind of harm Ive experienced. For example, in XX/XX/year> the state of Washington enacted XXXX XXXX XXXX, a law that prohibits collection agencies from reporting medical debt to credit bureaus, effectively ensuring that certain sensitive and often disputable debts ( like medical bills ) do not haunt consumers credit reports. This law was passed to protect consumers from unfair credit reporting practices that can ruin lives. The spirit of such legislation is to recognize that some debts or accounts should not be on credit reports at all due to their potential for error or harm. Similarly, federal regulators ( CFPB ) have been working on rules to curb credit reporting of medical debt and other abusive reporting practices. 

While my case is about a financial account, not medical, the principle is the same unauthorized or erroneous accounts must not be reported. XXXX XXXX and related initiatives show a growing consensus that consumers need stronger protections against improper credit reporting of any debt that is not valid or fair. By continuing to report a clearly unauthorized account, Experian and Equifax are acting contrary to this public policy trend and against the principles of fairness. In fact, their actions would be condemnable under any stricter regime contemplated by lawmakers. I cite this to urge the CFPB to act decisively consumers like me should not have to fight these battles when the law and emerging policies are on our side.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief