Consumer complaint received 2024-12-27 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: NJ

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Notice of Dispute Regarding Inaccurate, Unverifiable, and Unauthorized Information Under FCRA, FERPA, and Privacy Act This letter serves as a formal Notice of Dispute regarding inaccurate, outdated, unverifiable, and unauthorized information appearing on my credit report. Your obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ), and the Privacy Act of 1974 require you to ensure that all furnished data is accurate, verifiable, and compliant with privacy laws. Below, I outline the specific accounts and reasons for this dispute, supported by applicable federal laws and regulations. 

Accounts in Dispute : XXXX. XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX - Reason for Dispute : The balance on this account reflects inconsistent and inflated amounts that do not align with billing statements or payment records. No validation of the debt has been provided upon request, violating **15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ** and **12 C.F.R. 1022.42 ( b ) **. Additionally, the reporting of this account without written authorization breaches **Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C . 552a ( b ) **. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX - **Reason for Dispute** : The reported account opening date is incorrect, and late payment notations are over seven years old, violating the permissible reporting period under **15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) ( 4 ) **. Reporting such adverse items exceeds the statute of limitations and fails to ensure compliance with **15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) **. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX - **Reason for Dispute** : The account is marked with delinquent payments that were resolved prior to the reporting period. This inaccurate portrayal violates **15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ** and fails to follow the " maximum possible accuracy '' standard for consumer reports. Additionally, continued reporting of this resolved balance without authorization breaches **5 U.S.C . 552a ( b ) ** under the Privacy Act of 1974. 

XXXXXXXX XXXX/Dept of EducationXXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX - **Reason for Dispute** : The reporting of this account constitutes an unauthorized disclosure of my educational records, violating the **Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA, 20 U.S.C. 1232g ( b ) ) **. FERPA restricts the sharing of student education records, including loan-related data, without explicit consent. Additionally, the balance and status of this account are unverifiable, breaching **15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) **. 

XXXX. XXXX/Dept of Education*XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX - **Reason for Dispute** : This account lists inaccurate and outdated information regarding payments and status. The continued reporting of this data without explicit authorization violates **FERPA** and undermines my privacy rights under **20 U.S.C. 1232g ( b ) ** and **5 U.S.C . 552a ( b ) **. 

XXXX. XXXX/Dept of EducationXXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX - **Reason for Dispute** : The continued inclusion of this account on my credit report is a direct violation of **FERPA**, which prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of student education records. The reported balance is also inconsistent with loan documents, violating **12 C.F.R. 1022.43 ( a ) **. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX - **Reason for Dispute** : The total balance owed is unsubstantiated, and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX has failed to provide verification of this debt despite multiple requests. This constitutes a violation of **15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) ** and **12 C.F.R. 1022.21 ( c ) **. Furthermore, the continued inclusion of unverifiable information violates **15 U.S.C. 1681c2**, which mandates the blocking of disputed items stemming from identity theft.

# # # Legal Basis for Dispute : - **15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) ** : Requires credit reporting agencies to adopt reasonable procedures to ensure " maximum possible accuracy '' of information.

- **15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ** : Prohibits furnishers from providing inaccurate or unverified information.

- **15 U.S.C. 1681c ( a ) ** : Limits the reporting of certain derogatory information to seven years.

- **15 U.S.C. 1681b** : Restricts consumer reporting agencies from adding items to a report without written consent.

- **Privacy Act of 1974 ( 5 U.S.C . 552a ) ** : Protects against unauthorized disclosure of personal information, including consumer reports.

- **Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA, 20 U.S.C . 1232g ( b ) ) ** : Prohibits the unauthorized disclosure of student education records.

- **15 U.S.C. 1692g** : Establishes the right to debt validation by furnishers.

# # # Demands : 1. **Immediate Investigation** : Conduct a thorough investigation of the accounts listed above within the statutory 30-day timeframe, as required under **15 U.S.C. 1681i**.

2. **Removal of Inaccurate or Unverified Information** : Block or delete all information that can not be substantiated or verified, as mandated by **15 U.S.C. 1681c-2**.

3. **Written Confirmation** : Provide a detailed written response outlining the actions taken, including the removal or correction of disputed information.

Failure to comply with your obligations under the FCRA, FERPA, the Privacy Act, and related statutes will result in formal complaints to the **Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) **, **Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) **, and other regulatory bodies. Furthermore, I reserve the right to pursue civil remedies under **15 U.S.C. 1681n** and **15 U.S.C. 1681o** for willful or negligent noncompliance, seeking damages as provided by law.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I look forward to your resolution and written confirmation of compliance.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief