Consumer complaint received 2025-10-14 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
FORMAL CFPB COMPLAINT UNAUTHORIZED CREDIT INQUIRY, NEGLIGENCE, AND FACILITATION OF FRAUD To the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am filing this formal complaint as an individual consumer against XXXX XXXX XXXX for willful violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., and the Consumer Financial Protection Act ( CFPA ), 12 U.S.C. 5531, arising from their failure to prevent and properly investigate a fraudulent loan application submitted in my name and for their continued facilitation of a known fraud scheme linked to XXXX XXXX and XXXX Roots. 

XXXX. Background of the Fraud and SoFis Failures In 2024, an individual named XXXX XXXX, associated with a company called XXXX XXXX, fraudulently submitted a loan application using my personal identifying information through XXXX. I had no knowledge of this application, did not consent to it, and did not authorize XXXX or any entity to access my credit. This resulted in an unauthorized hard inquiry being placed on all three major credit bureaus ( Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion ). 
Upon discovering this fraudulent activity, I immediately notified XXXX. They responded in writing that they would conduct an investigation. However, they never once contacted me during this so-called investigation ; not by phone, not by email, and not by mail ; despite having my full contact information. 
Shortly thereafter, I received a letter stating that XXXX had found evidence of fraud. And yet, despite this admission, XXXX failed to remove the unauthorized inquiry from my credit reports, failed to communicate any findings, and failed to take any remedial action to mitigate the harm caused. 

XXXX. Pattern of Negligence and Willful Facilitation This is not an isolated incident. Kingg Roots and XXXX XXXX have repeatedly used XXXX as a funding source for fraudulent loans. Despite this, XXXX continues to accept and process their applications with minimal or no enhanced verification. This demonstrates either : Willful negligence a reckless disregard of known fraudulent activity, or knowing complicity ; participating in or enabling a fraud scheme in violation of consumer protection laws. 


By failing to implement reasonable identity verification protocols, by ignoring known fraud patterns, and by continuing to facilitate repeated fraudulent submissions, XXXX is engaging in unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts or practices ( XXXX ) in violation of 12 U.S.C. 5531.

3. Violations of Federal Law XXXX conduct constitutes clear violations of multiple provisions of the FCRA and XXXX, including but not limited to : FCRA 604 ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ) : Accessing a consumers credit report without a permissible purpose.

FCRA 611 ( 15 U.S.C. 1681i ) : Failing to con
duct a reasonable investigation of a disputed item.

FCRA 616617 ( 15 U.S.C. 1681n1681o ) : Civil liability for willful and negligent noncompliance.

CFPA 1031 ( 12 U.S.C. 5531 ) : Prohibition of unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices.

SoFis admission that fraud occurred, coupled with their refusal to remove the inquiry or conduct a meaningful investigation, demonstrates both noncompliance and bad faith. 
4. Harm to the Consumer This unauthorized inquiry has caused ongoing harm, including but not limited to : Damage to my creditworthiness and reputation due to the presence of an unauthorized hard inquiry. 


Loss of financial opportunities as a result of diminished credit scores. 


Significant time, emotional distress, and business disruption as Ive had to dispute this matter across multiple agencies and credit bureaus. 


As a business owner, this ongoing situation has directly interfered with my ability to secure financing and conduct operations. The cumulative stress and reputational damage caused by XXXX failures can not be overstated. 

5. Requested Remedies I am demanding that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau compel XXXX to : Immediately remove the unauthorized hard inquiry from all three credit bureaus : Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. 


Provide a detailed written explanation of their investigation process and how this fraudulent application was processed without proper verification. 


Launch a full federal-level investigation into XXXX ongoing facilitation of fraudulent applications submitted by XXXX XXXX and XXXX Roots. 


Provide compensatory damages for the emotional distress, reputational harm, financial losses, and time wasted caused by their negligence and violations. 


This matter has been time-consuming, deeply stressful, and financially damaging. XXXX conduct shows a pattern of disregard for federal consumer protection laws and a troubling willingness to enable known bad actors. I urge the CFPB to treat this complaint with the seriousness it deserves and to hold XXXX fully accountable.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation