vivekkopthsd/cfpb-consumer-complaints huggingface dataset:
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Public record information inaccurate
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
In XXXX XXXX, I found that there was a tax lien on my credit from the state of Illinois for {$96000.00}. 



I had never owed any debts to Illinois, so I contacted the state to see if the lien was related to identity theft. After a series of unhelpful conversations with state employees, someone in the revenue department finally informed me that I owed Illinois income taxes from XXXX in the amount of {$960.00}. The figure on my credit report, {$90000.00}, is apparently an error by the reporting agency. 

I moved out of Illinois in XXXX, and have never received any notice of any kind from the state of Illinois, including any notice of past tax debt or liens. Because I was on IL unemployment for all of XXXX and Illinois had automatically withheld my taxes from those payments automatically, I knew the claimed back tax debt to be in error. 

Illinois XXXX XXXX XXXX employee XXXX XXXX emailed me in response to my inquiries, and told me I 'd have to submit proof of withholding to have the debt cleared. I dug up old tax returns and IL unemployment documents to show that I had never owed the tax, and sent them to XXXX XXXX. 

On XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX told me via email that all collection activity would cease and the lien would be removed once the cleared debt was processed by his department. I checked multiple times to be clear that no payment was required and that I had no outstanding debt to the state of Illinois. 

This week, I was checking my credit in response to the recent Equifax data loss, and found that the IL tax lien is still listed on my credit report as a balance due. I contacted XXXX XXXX in reference to our previous conversations, and he told me I 'd need to take it up with the IL XXXX XXXX. 

I reached the IL XXXX XXXX at the number XXXX XXXX provided, and was re-directed to another office called the " IL XXXX XXXX XXXX. '' A rep at that unit told me he saw the notes, correspondence, and documents in my file from XXXX XXXX, but that the matter had still not been processed or the lien removed. Worse, I w as told that once the matter was resolved, it would still show on my credit as a tax lien that had been paid off, rather than being removed completely. 

I am now attempting to apply for a mortgage to buy a home, and can not get one due to the adverse impact on my credit from this erroneous lien.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Private student loan
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer — Received bad information about your loan
Company: Navient Solutions, LLC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On XXXX I called navient to settle an account which they accepted and debted from account. They said they would send me home a letter of confirmation, but never arrived. Still today I am getting letter of debt. I have voice confirmation and confirmation # which they gave me during the call in which they took my money. This has been an ongoing problem for almost a year, every time I called I get redirected or place on hold or never get a response.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
I attempted to instate a credit freeze with Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX. All attempts failed beginning at XXXX XXXX. It looks like I will have to either call in the middle of the night, or do this by mail. 

Why do I have to pay {$10.00} to anyone to freeze my credit, when it was the negligence of the companies as well as lax data security policies that put XXXX XXXX citizens at risk of identity theft? 

The fact that it is n't easier to secure my identity in this situation is frustrating and infuriating. This process should be almost automatic, not reactionary. 

I want companies like Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX to have to ASK my permission to use my identity information.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: NV

Complaint narrative:
Both companies, TransUnion and XXXX, are now trying their best to hide the fact you can get a one-time security freeze. Freezing your account now requires a paid premium monthly membership to freeze your credit report.This is not true, but I was specifically told by a TransUnion that this was the case. Going to their website, you are now unable to find out where and/or how to freeze your security without the premium monthly membership. I feel this is nothing more than an attempt to increase sales after the major XXXX breach, taking advantage of people like me who had their credit compromised due to the breach. Both company 's phone systems are obfuscating a one-time credit freeze as well.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: AFNI INC.
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
I opened an account with XXXX There was a third party credit check applied 6 months into my agreement that was sent through mail to inform me of identity theft though XXXX use of my information

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: CO

Complaint narrative:
XXXX, Equifax, and XXXX all make freezing and thawing my credit extraordinarily difficult. Even in times of obvious and publicized hacks of their databases -- putting my and millions of other American 's secure information in the hands of criminals -- they are making the act of freezing and thawing my credit nearly impossible and re-directing me to PURCHASE products from them to prevent my information from being stolen. HELLO!? 

The U.S. government needs to step up and take the keys to the castle away from these fraudsters. It 's time to take control and start saying no to the companies that are acting no better than the petty thieves and hacks corrupting their databases.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Credit monitoring or identity theft protection services — Billing dispute for services
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: TN

Complaint narrative:
Transunion, XXXX, XXXX : While I opted into use these services ( by way of signing up for credit lines ), I really had no choice. There has now been a data breach caused by their ineptitude, where my details are now for sale on the XXXX market, and yet I am expected to PAY to freeze my credit and protect myself. 

I could not reasonably avoid sharing my data with these companies, but I 'm expected to pay to protect the data they took from me and lost?

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Credit monitoring or identity theft protection services — Billing dispute for services
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: TN

Complaint narrative:
XXXX, XXXX, Experian : While I opted into use these services ( by way of signing up for credit lines ), I really had no choice. There has now been a data breach caused by their ineptitude, where my details are now for sale on the XXXX market, and yet I am expected to PAY to freeze my credit and protect myself. 

I could not reasonably avoid sharing my data with these companies, but I 'm expected to pay to protect the data they took from me and lost?

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I was part of the Equifax credit information hack. I find it unacceptable that I have to pay to freeze my credit when I did not consent to my financial information being stored by Equifax, XXXX, or XXXX in the first place. Credit freezes and unfreezes should be made free. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my complaint.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
For the past 18 months I have been disputing with TransUnion, the consumer credit reporting agency. I have sent affidavits, police reports, certified compliant/demand letters to TransUnion. They have continued to delete and than add accounts back on my credit file without providing evidence obtaining my signature. The following are accounts that TransUnion added to my credit file without my permission nor evidence that these account are mine : XXXX XXXX XXXX UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX was added before called XXXX XXXX XXXX for XXXX XXXX *credit report in XXXX did not show US Department of Education , they continue to remove and than add back to my credit file. 

I also told them to remove inquires that I did not authorize and to provide me proof, the inquires still remain on my credit file as below. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX/ XXXX XXXX XXXX/ XXXX XXXX XXXX/ XXXX XXXX XXXX/ XXXX XXXX BANK XXXX XXXX XXXX BANK XXXX XXXX XXXX/ XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX BANK XXXX XXXX XXXX I also told TransUnion to remove the addresses not affiliated with me , those address is as followed : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, NC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX and add the correct address . 

My last certified letter that I sent TransUnion was on XXXX XXXX, XXXX and they continued to keep my credit file the same or re-adding accounts and not providing me with actual proof with signatures that these accounts belong to me.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
Equifax mishandled my information which puts me and millions of other people at risk. I am also mentioned as a potential victim according to their XXXX website, and would like a resolution.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
TransUnion 's recent breach of contract should entitle us to freeze our credit for free. I can not believe they are trying to sell us their products and services when they clearly are legally and morally at fault for this. Credit freezes in this event should be free of charge.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Credit monitoring or identity theft protection services — Problem with product or service terms changing
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I was part of the XXXX credit information hack. I find it unacceptable that I have to PAY to freeze my credit when I did n't consent to my information being stored by XXXX, XXXX, or TransUnion in the first place. XXXX should make credit freezes and unfreezes free federally. Credit reporting agencies already make money off of my information and I should not be required to pay them additional money to protect my information, especially when they are doing a POOR job in the first place. Thank you for taking time to read my complaint.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Credit monitoring or identity theft protection services — Problem with product or service terms changing
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I was part of the XXXX credit information hack. I find it unacceptable that I have to PAY to freeze my credit when I did n't consent to my information being stored by XXXX, XXXX, or XXXX in the first place. Congress should make credit freezes and unfreezes free federally. Credit reporting agencies already make money off of my information and I should not be required to pay them additional money to protect my information, especially when they are doing a POOR job in the first place. Thank you for taking time to read my complaint.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: AL

Complaint narrative:
I am a victim of the XXXX credit information hack. I find it unacceptable that I have to PAY to freeze my credit when I did n't consent to my information being stored by XXXX XXXX, or TransUnion in the first place. Congress should make credit freezes and unfreezes free federally. Credit reporting agencies already make money off of my information and I should not be required to pay them additional money to protect my information, especially when they are doing a POOR job in the first place. Thank you for taking time to read my complaint.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: UT

Complaint narrative:
XXXX mishandled personal information about me and 134 Million other Americans. Now, in order to protect ourselves, we 're forced to pay these credit score firms to freeze our credit. This should not cost any money to us, the victims. They make money off of our information and when they risk our financial safety, we have to do all the work and pay them. This is absurd!

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: UT

Complaint narrative:
XXXX mishandled personal information about me and 134 Million other Americans. Now, in order to protect ourselves, we 're forced to pay these credit score firms to freeze our credit. This should not cost any money to us, the victims. They make money off of our information and when they risk our financial safety, we have to do all the work and pay them. This is absurd!

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Equifax had a security breach where my information was leaked

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MI

Complaint narrative:
I was part of the Equifax credit information hack. I find it unacceptable that I have to PAY to freeze my credit when I did n't consent to my information being stored by Equifax, XXXX, or XXXX in the first place. XXXX should make credit freezes and unfreezes free federally. Credit reporting agencies already make money off of my information and I should not be required to pay them additional money to protect my information, especially when they are doing a POOR job in the first place. Thank you for taking time to read my complaint.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: KS

Complaint narrative:
I, as far as I can tell, was a part of the Equifax credit information hack. Now, due to mishandling of my information by the credit reporting agencies, I must pay the credit reporting agencies to freeze my credit. This has many issues : First, due to current demand it is difficult/impossible to get through to be able to do this. Second, it is unconscionable that some of these companies are taking advantage of the situation and attempting to trick users into signing up for paid credit protection services when the user attempts to freeze their credit. Finally, it is ridiculous that I must pay these companies to protect my information that I never consented to them collecting in the first place. Paying Equifax to freeze my credit is simply rewarding them for their careless handling of my information. Protections such as credit freeze should be federally free to perform, otherwise it seems to amount to racketeering ( " That 's sure a nice identity you got there ... sure would be a shame if something happened to it. '' )

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
1.What recourse does CFPB have against Equifax for its highly publicized data breach announced XXXX XXXX, XXXX? 

2. What requirements are upon banks to ensure their vendors such as Equifax, XXXX, XXXX have to enure against data breaches. I know there are some but how did the US ' XXXX banks not have sufficient influence over this data breach at Equifax. 

3.How do I join in a class action suit against Equifax?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Credit monitoring or identity theft protection services — Billing dispute for services
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MN

Complaint narrative:
It is unjust that 3 businesses can have access to such personal and potentially damaging information such as my Social Security Number, and be so careless with the security of these sensitive materials. Even more unjust is that in the wake of their negligence, we the consumer, must pay $ XXXX {$10.00} simply to institute a credit freeze, which at this point is a syringe of water to extinguish the forest fire that is our lack of adequate protections. 

If a credit freeze is my only option in the wake of these companies ' negligence to properly secure our information, then it should at least be free.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with fraud alerts or security freezes — 
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I am placing a freeze on my credit files at XXXX, TransUnion, and XXXX, as it seems like the only sound method now to protect myself from identify theft. There is a fee, with each bureau, to freeze and unfreeze my files. Due to the frequency, pervasiveness, and severity of data breaches ( especially the most recent XXXX breach ), the fee is an unjust burden on consumers.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation
Consumer complaint received 2017-09-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit card or prepaid card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement — Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX of XXXX charged me for the service I do not need this XXXX XXXX, I fought it for 9 months, finally on Step 7, the XXXX wrote me a check of XXXX XXXX but actually by now citibank asked for more than XXXX XXXX this morning I called citibank, their dispuing department lady say I should pay the difference, which is very unfair. At the beginning of this dispute, I told Citibank already, the proof is in their computer records of my citicard history which showed I disputed 2 times already successfully in year XXXX and year XXXX, they did not show the proof of this to XXXX, which caused me 9 months fighting with XXXX, and got only {$120.00} reimbursement, which is not enough to pay Citibank.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation