Consumer complaint received 2024-10-22 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Information belongs to someone else
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: NE

Complaint narrative:
XXXX, Equifax, XXXX, I am writing to formally dispute the accuracy of certain accounts listed on my credit report due to identity theft and/or fraud. Despite numerous previous efforts to rectify these issues, the disputed accounts remain on my credit report, which is causing me ongoing distress and harm. I request that you remove these accounts, as well as the incorrect personal information that theyve added and attached to my file ( addresses, alternate name spellings, and phone numbers ), and take necessary actions to prevent further damage to my credit profile. Before this incident in early 2021, I had a XXXX credit score. You can clearly see the damage it has caused. Not to mention the constant distress it causes a XXXX XXXX XXXX individual with medical conditions that are severely exacerbated by stress to endure. I have not held a po box in over 20 years. 

The Dispute : Several accounts that remain or are being continuously reinserted on my credit report have been incorrectly attributed to me. These accounts are the result of identity theft and/or fraud that occurred in mid to late 2021, which I have reported to the appropriate authorities. Despite submitting police reports and other relevant documentation, the accounts and personal information continue to be inaccurately listed under my file. There are also multiple other accounts listed under closed accounts that arent accurate either. 

Previous Communication : I have contacted your bureau multiple times regarding this issue. Unfortunately, no permanent resolution has been reached, and the disputed accounts remain on my reports even after theyve been removed by you numerous times; theyre being allowed to reinsert them by altering personal information or making false payments. This persistence of incorrect information violates my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and I am requesting immediate action to resolve this matter. 

Legal Basis and Violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) : Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i, credit reporting agencies are required to conduct a reasonable investigation into disputes regarding the accuracy of information on a credit report. Additionally, the actions taken by the XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX have violated multiple sections of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), including : - Failure to Validate Debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) ) : The XXXX XXXX failed to validate the debt.

- Lack of Dispute Notification ( 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) ( 3 ) ) : The XXXX XXXX did not notify me of my right to dispute the debt.

- False Reporting to Credit Bureaus ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 8 ) ) : The XXXX XXXX communicated false information to credit bureaus despite them being frozen, locked, and containing active fraud alerts as of 2021.

- Fraudulent Claims of Debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 2 ) ( A ) ) : The XXXX XXXX  falsely asserted that I owed the debt plus additional fees.

- Repeated Reinsertion of Disputed Debt ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e ( 8 ) ) : The XXXX XXXX reinstated the disputed debt even after it had been investigated and removed by the credit bureaus numerous times. 
- Fabricated Payments ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ( XXXX ) ) : The XXXX  XXXX have falsely recorded payments and adjusted balances on the accounts to make it appear as though I had acknowledged the debt. 
- Complete Disregard of Identity Theft and Fraud Reports ( 15 U.S.C. 1692d ) : The XXXX XXXX ignored my identity theft reports, active fraud alerts, and freezes. 
- Harassment ( 15 U.S.C. 1692d ) : The XXXX  XXXX relentless pursuit of a baseless claim constitutes unlawful harassment. One going so far as filing legal action with no prior notice. Its not even an address that Ive ever resided at or had shown on the banking statement. 
Reveal the existence of a debt to third parties : Under Section 805 ( b ) of the FDCPA, its illegal to reveal the existence of a debt to a third party. Whats more, Section 806 ( 3 ) prohibits publishing a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts especially when theyre unfounded. I believe this to be occurring due to the influx of spam calls, spam texts, spam mail, and others trying to collect money for bogus debts since XXXX XXXX XXXX filed unfounded legal action. Its nearly tripled. 

Requested Actions : 1. Immediate Removal of Disputed Accounts : Please remove any and all inaccurate accounts linked to or associated with this 2021 identity theft and fraud incident from my credit report. ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, and any accounts or personal information linked to them. ) 2. Stop Their and Anyones Access to My Personal Information : Cease any further access to my personal information by these entities that are causing undue harassment and altering their records after the disputes are filed. Deny access to anyone without prior consent from me personally. My files are to be and remain completely locked, frozen, and have permanent fraud alerts placed upon them free of charge indefinitely. Please include a permanent cease and desist for all calls, contact, and communication with me immediately to these companies, their subsidiaries, representatives, colleagues, and any related entities to prevent further unlawful conduct and bogus claims. 
XXXX. Updated Credit Report : After the removal of the disputed accounts and inaccurate personal information, please send me an updated copy of my credit report reflecting these changes to the above address. 
4. Prevent Re-insertion : Ensure that the disputed accounts are not reinserted into my credit filed by them, any of their colleagues, representatives, or associates. 
5. Prevent sharing of my information : Remove me from any and all lists that they or you have me on. 

Supporting Documentation : Although I am not including specific account numbers at this time, I have previously provided police reports and other documentation that support my claim of identity theft and fraud. There have been so many and continued attempts I literally mentally and physically cant keep up with it all. Please refer to the documentation in your records or contact me at the above address for further details if necessary. 

I appreciate your immediate attention to this matter. Please confirm receipt of this letter and inform me of the steps being taken to correct my credit report and prevent any further issues due to the numerous ongoing data breaches and compromised identity information.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief