Consumer complaint received 2025-06-14 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: NV

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this formal complaint regarding the unauthorized access, mishandling, and reporting of my sensitive educational records, financial aid information, and IRS tax data by the U.S. Department of Education ( DOE ) and their contracted servicer, Aidvantage. This breach constitutes a serious violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ), Title IV regulations, and raises significant concerns over my personal privacy and financial security.

Upon review of my credit report, I discovered that my personal and federally protected records were accessed and misreported without my knowledge or consent. Two separate loan accounts appear under DEPT OF ED/XXXX, with the following details : Loan Account XXXX : Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Balance as of XX/XX/XXXX : {$2100.00} Original Balance : {$2000.00} Account Status : Open. Deferred, payments begin XX/XX/XXXX Delinquency Marks : XXXX late payments reported in XXXX, XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX Servicer Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, VA XXXX XXXX Account XXXX : Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Balance as of XX/XX/XXXX : {$3700.00} Original Balance : {$3500.00} Account Status : Open. Deferred, payments begin XX/XX/XXXX Delinquency Marks : XXXX late payments reported in XXXX, XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX Servicer Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, VA XXXX XXXX accounts are showing serious delinquencies before repayment was even scheduled to begin, which is inaccurate and damaging. According to the servicer, payments for these loans are not scheduled to start until XX/XX/XXXX, yet they are being reported as past due in early XXXX. This error is a gross misrepresentation of my repayment status and a clear violation of federal data accuracy standards. 
Additionally, these actions raise red flags about potential unauthorized access to IRS tax data and other personal information, which XXXX have been improperly used to create or service these loans, especially in the absence of proper authorization or communication with me. This misreporting has negatively impacted my credit standing and caused me significant emotional distress.

I demand the following immediate actions : 1Immediate correction and deletion of all negative credit reporting tied to both student loan accounts.

2Cancellation or full discharge of the loans due to data and procedural violations that compromise the integrity of my loan agreements.

3A full investigation and audit of how my financial aid, tax records, and personal identifiable information were accessed and used, including : Who accessed the data What information was viewed or shared Whether my consent was documented 4A detailed report outlining the corrective actions being taken to secure my records and prevent further violations. 
XXXX notification to all major credit bureaus ( XXXX, Equifax, XXXX, XXXX ) to place a fraud alert and correct the misinformation. 
XXXX acknowledgment from XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX that this complaint is being addressed at the highest level. 
If these actions are not addressed within 15 business days, I will escalate this matter through legal channels, including

filing additional complaints with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), the Department of Education Inspector Generals Office, and by initiating legal proceedings. This breach has had real consequences on my financial wellbeing and I expect a prompt and serious resolution. Please respond in writing to the address listed in this complaint record. I look forward to immediate action on this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, NV XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation