Consumer complaint received 2024-12-15 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: AL

Complaint narrative:
Dear CFPB, I am writing to formally dispute several fraudulent accounts and inquiries appearing on my credit reports. These accounts were opened without my authorization or consent and remain reported in violation of federal laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). Despite my valid identity theft report, XXXX has unlawfully refused to investigate and remove these accounts, further compounding their violations. 

The accounts and inquiries in question are : Accounts XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX has responded to my dispute with an automated email falsely claiming that my identity theft report and supporting evidence are invalid, stating : " We are responding to your request that information in your personal credit report be blocked due to identity theft. Based on our review of your request and the information available to us, we have determined that either : your request to block was made in error, or, your request to block information was based on a material misrepresentation, or, you knowingly obtained or should have known that you obtained possession of goods, services, or moneys as a result of one or more of the transactions that you are seeking to block. '' This response is both baseless and illegal. I have complied with all legal requirements, including submitting a valid identity theft affidavit. XXXX refusal to block or remove these accounts violates several provisions of federal law : 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 Blocking Information Resulting from Identity Theft : Credit reporting agencies are legally required to block information stemming from identity theft upon receipt of appropriate documentation. XXXX 's failure to comply directly violates this statute. 

15 U.S.C. 1681b ( f ) Permissible Purposes for Reporting : Reporting fraudulent accounts for which I did not authorize the furnishing of data violates permissible purposes under federal law.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) Reinvestigation of Disputed Information : XXXX is required to perform a reasonable reinvestigation of disputes. Refusing to investigate and relying on automated responses demonstrates clear noncompliance. 

15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) Accuracy of Reports : XXXX is obligated to ensure the maximum possible accuracy of the data they report. Allowing fraudulent accounts and inquiries to remain on my credit report violates this provision. 

15 U.S.C. 1681n Civil Liability for Willful Noncompliance : XXXX refusal to address valid disputes constitutes willful noncompliance, making them liable for civil damages. 

15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) Responsibilities of Furnishers of Information : The entities reporting these fraudulent accounts have also failed in their legal duty to provide accurate and verified information. 

Conclusion XXXX  ongoing failure to comply with federal law and their reliance on automated denials are unacceptable and unlawful. I urge the CFPB to investigate XXXX  conduct and hold them accountable for their violations of the FCRA. 

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief