Consumer complaint received 2025-04-01 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Was not notified of investigation status or results
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: DC

Complaint narrative:
Extension Complaint Notice Equifax This is not a dispute. 
Re : Additional Violations Pursuant to Ongoing Enforcement Dossier ========================================================================= To Whom It May Concern, This submission serves as a formal Extension Complaint to supplement the active enforcement and regulatory complaint previously filed against Equifax ( Complaint ID : XXXX ), documenting widespread and systemic violations of federal and XXXX consumer protection laws. 
Since the original filing of Complaint ID : XXXX on XX/XX/year>, Equifax has XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) additional acts of unlawful conduct, each documented with supporting evidence and classified under the same legal framework as the prior violations. 
These new acts occurred between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/year>, and continue a clear pattern of deceptive, noncompliant, and obstructionist behavior. 
========================================================================= XXXX  Affirmation of Independent Legal Action and Non-Affiliation with Any Credit Repair Organization I reaffirm that this submission is part of an independent legal action. I am not affiliated with any credit repair organization and have not authorized any third party to file complaints or disputes on my behalf. All representations herein are based on first-hand knowledge and sworn evidence. 
========================================================================= XXXX Summary of Additional Violations ( March 1823, 2025 ) Date Violation Description Document ID XX/XX/year> Unlawful Refusal to Block Information pursuant to Section 605B XXXX XX/XX/year> False Victim of Fraud or Identity Theft Classification XXXX XX/XX/year> Unlawful Refusal to Block Information pursuant to Section XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year> Claim Unable to Locate Credit File with Information Provided XXXX XX/XX/year> Unlawful Frivolous Dispute Classification ( CO, XXXX ) XXXX XX/XX/year> Unlawful Refusal to Block Information pursuant to Section XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year> Claim Unable to Locate Credit File with Information Provided XXXX XX/XX/year> Unlawful Frivolous Dispute Classification ( CO, XXXX ) XXXX XX/XX/year> Unlawful Refusal to Block Information pursuant to Section XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year> False Victim of Fraud or Identity Theft Classification XXXX ========================================================================= These XXXX new acts materially extend and reinforce the existing pattern of misconduct already established in my master complaint dossier. The same legal arguments, statutory violations, and escalation logic apply. 
========================================================================= XXXX  Applicable Legal Framework ( Reaffirmed ) Federal, D.C., Georgia, and New York Legal Violations and Analysis ========================================================================= Federal Law Violations ========================================================================= 1. FCRA 605B 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 Violation : Failure to Block Information after Valid Identity Theft Notification Summary : This provision requires a CRA ( Credit Reporting Agency ) to permanently block information in a consumers file that is allegedly the result of identity theft, within 4 business days after receiving : Proof of identity, Copy of an identity theft report, Specific identification of fraudulent information, and A request to block.

Equifaxs Violation : Equifax has repeatedly refused to block information under 605B even after receiving : Valid identity theft reports ( e.g., FTC Identity Theft Report ), Sworn affidavits ( e.g., notarized CAVRs ), Specific dispute documentation, Timely and proper requests. 
By continuing to report the same tradelines or falsely claiming the consumer did not submit sufficient documentationdespite proof to the contraryEquifax is in violation of 605B ( c ) and is engaging in systemic noncompliance.

========================================================================= 2. FCRA 1681i ( a ) ( 3 ) Frivolous Dispute Misclassification Violation : Improper classification of legitimate disputes as frivolous Summary : CRAs may only reject a dispute as frivolous or irrelevant if : They notify the consumer within XXXX business days, and They clearly explain what information is missing or why the dispute is inadequate. 
Equifaxs Violation : Equifax : Routinely labels detailed, specific, sworn disputes as frivolous or fraudulent without legal basis. 
Fails to describe what was missing. 
Never provides a legitimate explanation for classification. 
Does not allow resubmission, thus denying reinvestigation entirely.

This pattern of behavior blocks the reinvestigation process and evades FCRA requirements, violating the consumers right under 1681i ( a ) ( 3 ).

========================================================================= 3. 12 U.S.C. 5531 & 5536 Consumer Financial Protection Act ( CFPA ) Violation : Unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices ( UDAAP ) Summary : These sections of the CFPA prohibit any covered person ( like Equifax ) from engaging in : Deceptive acts : Misleading consumers through false or incomplete representations. 
Unfair practices : Causing substantial injury that consumers can not reasonably avoid and is not outweighed by benefits. 
Equifaxs Violation : Equifax : Misclassifies disputes as fraud-based without evidence, Provides false reasons for rejecting 605B requests, Issues misleading boilerplate responses, Obstructs reinvestigation through automated refusals.

This constitutes deceptive and unfair conduct under UDAAP, particularly given the impact on victims of fraud and identity theft.

========================================================================= 4. 18 U.S.C. 1001 False Statements to Federal Agencies Violation : Knowingly and willfully making false statements or misrepresentations to a federal agency Summary : It is a federal crime to : Falsely represent material facts in any matter under federal jurisdiction, including filings with agencies like the CFPB.

Equifaxs Violation : Equifax has repeatedly submitted false responses to the CFPB, falsely categorizing consumer disputes as fraud claims, despite the consumer never alleging fraud. 
These misclassifications alter the regulatory record and constitute a false statement of material fact. 
Each false CFPB response qualifies as a separate violation of 1001.

This could trigger criminal exposure and civil regulatory penalties, especially when repeated systematically.

========================================================================= District of Columbia Law Violations ========================================================================= 5. D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act ( D.C. CPPA ) D.C. Code 28-3904 ( e ) Misrepresentation of a material fact D.C. Code 28-3904 ( f ) Failure to state a material fact where omission is misleading Violation Summary : The D.C. CPPA prohibits : Misrepresenting a material fact ( e.g., telling a consumer their ID theft report is invalid when it is not ), Omitting facts in a way that misleads the consumer ( e.g., failing to mention why a 605B block is rejected ).

Equifaxs Violation : Issues deceptive letters that imply lawful disputes were improperly submitted. 
Omits explanation of rights under FCRA or CPPA.

Fails to disclose or explain why ID theft evidence was rejected.

These acts are per se vio
lations of 28-3904 and are enforceable by private right of action under D.C. law , with treble damages available under 28-3905 ( k ) ( 2 ).

========================================================================= Georgia Law ( Equifax HQ Jurisdiction ) ========================================================================= XXXX. Georgia Fair Business Practices Act ( FBPA ) O.C.G.A. 10-1-393 Violation Summary : This law prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce, including : Knowingly misrepresenting the character of services, Failing to deliver promised services ( i.e., proper reinvestigation ), Obstructing consumers ability to correct records.

Equifaxs Violation : Misleading dispute outcomes, Refusal to block information as mandated, Repeated misrepresentation of consumer statements as fraud claims, All are violations of Georgias FBPA and can trigger civil penalties, injunctive relief, and treble damages under O.C.G.A. 10-1-399.

========================================================================= New York Law ========================================================================= XXXX. New York General Business Law 349 Violation Summary : Prohibits deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any business, trade or commerce or in the furnishing of any service.

Equifaxs Violation : Provides misleading information to New York consumers regarding the nature of disputes and legal rights.

Delivers false rejection reasons for valid identity theft claims.

Misrepresents their statutory obligations under 605B, creating consumer confusion. 
Each misrepresentation under XXXX can support statutory damages and private enforcementincluding attorneys fees. 
========================================================================= XXXX Pattern of Willful Noncompliance and Systemic Evasion These additions provide further proof of willful, systemic noncompliance and support the assertion that Equifax is : Deliberately misclassifying legitimate disputes as fraudulent. 
Obstructing reinvestigation duties by refusing to block or suppress verified identity theft claims. 
Falsely denying file existence to evade dispute obligations. 
Engaging in tactical frivolous dispute classifications to avoid compliance. 
Each violation is individually sufficient to trigger enforcement ; together, they form a coordinated pattern of statutory evasion, subject to maximum penalties under federal and D.C. law. 
========================================================================= XXXX  Enforcement Referral Request ( Reiterated ) This extension complaint is formally referred to the following federal and state agencies for immediate enforcement review and inter-agency coordination. Due to the transmission of false, misleading, or deceptive communications via the United States Mail, this complaint includes a formal referral under 18 U.S.C. 1341 to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) Enforcement Division For violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), Consumer Financial Protection Act ( CFPA ), and ongoing deceptive dispute practices under 12 U.S.C. 5531, 5536.

Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) Bureau of Consumer Protection For enforcement under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and the prohibition against deceptive business practices under 15 U.S.C. 45, 1681s.

District of Columbia Attorney General Public Advocacy Division For violations of the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act ( D.C. Code 28-3904 ), including misrepresentations and bad faith investigations.

U.S. Department of Justice ( DOJ ) Civil Division For systemic violations of federal consumer protection law, false statements under 18 U.S.C. 1001, and emerging evidence supporting civil RICO exposure. 
U.S. Department of Justice ( DOJ ) Criminal Division ( if escalated ) In the event of substantiated evidence of willful fraud, misrepresentation, or coordination to evade lawful reinvestigation obligations.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service ( USPIS ) Mail Fraud Division For use of the United States Mail to transmit false, deceptive, or misleading consumer dispute responses in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. 
Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( if applicable ) For potential investor risk, public company accountability, or disclosure failures tied to consumer data handling practices or enforcement exposure. 
========================================================================= XXXX Relief Demanded ( Reaffirmed ) As part of this formal extension complaint, I respectfully direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to immediately initiate multi-agency escalation in accordance with its authority under Title X of the Dodd-Frank Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Specifically, I request : ========================================================================= Trigger an interagency referral to the U.S. Department of Justice under 18 U.S.C. 1001 for potential submission of false statements by Equifax regarding identity theft classifications and federal complaint response data. The Bureau is urged to activate its XXXX XXXX XXXX for coordination with DOJ counterparts. 
========================================================================= Open a formal investigation under 15 U.S.C. 1681s ( a ) into Equifaxs repeated violations of FCRA 605B and 1681i ( a ) ( 3 ), including unlawful refusals to block data and systemic misuse of frivolous designations to suppress legitimate disputes. These violations appear to constitute a pattern or practice of noncompliance warranting administrative and civil penalties.

========================================================================= Issue a civil investigative demand ( CID ) compelling production of Equifaxs internal fraud classification protocols, e-OSCAR dispute decision trees, 605B refusal criteria, and all correspondence tied to the document identifiers listed in this complaint. 
========================================================================= Coordinate with the FTC 's Bureau of Consumer Protection to examine whether Equifaxs ongoing conduct constitutes a deceptive business practice under Section 5 of the FTC Act, particularly concerning misrepresentations made in federal responses and communications to consumers. 
========================================================================= Refer this matter to the CFPB Office of Enforcement for immediate escalated review, and initiate preservation of all underlying consumer complaints, supporting documentation, and third-party verification records across all XXXX related correspondence entries referenced in this record. 
========================================================================= Prepare a formal regulatory advisory or bulletin to the credit reporting industry outlining minimum standards for compliance with FCRA 605B and procedural fairness under UDAAP, based on the systemic deficiencies uncovered through this submission. 
========================================================================= Each of these directives reflects the Bureaus core mandate to protect consumers from deceptive, abusive, and procedurally defective credit reporting practices. The scale and recurrence of these violations strongly suggest systemic breakdowns that demand coordinated federal enforcement not routine intake handling. 
Respectfully submitted, XXXX XXXX XXXX Sworn Affiant and Independent Complainant Date : XX/XX/year> Attachments : Sworn and notarized Affidavit of Truth XXXX ( XXXX ) additional acts of unlawful conduct : XX/XX/year> Unlawful Refusal to Block Information pursuant Section 605B XX/XX/year> False Victim of Fraud or Identity Theft Classification XX/XX/year> Unlawful Refusal to Block Information pursuant Section 605B XX/XX/year> Claim Unable to Locate Credit File with Information Provided XX/XX/year> Unlawful Frivolous Dispute Classification ( XXXX, XXXX ) XX/XX/year> Unlawful Refusal to Block Information pursuant Section XXXX XX/XX/year> Claim Unable to Locate Credit File with Information Provided XX/XX/year> Unlawful Frivolous Dispute Classification ( XXXX, XXXX ) XX/XX/year> Unlawful Refusal to Block Information pursuant Section 605B XX/XX/year> False Victim of Fraud or Identity Theft Classification

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation