Consumer complaint received 2025-04-07 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Incorrect information on your report — Old information reappears or never goes away
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
In XX/XX/year>, during a trip to XXXX, Texas, I lost my wallet, which contained sensitive personal information, including my government-issued ID, Social Security card , and financial documents. Despite retracing my steps, I was unable to recover it. At the time, I did not report the loss because I did not notice any immediate fraudulent activity. Recently, while reviewing my credit report, I discovered fraudulent accounts had been opened in my name shortly after the loss. These accounts were opened without my authorization, using my stolen information, and adverse actions were sent to an address that does not belong to me. I am filing this report because I believe the person who found my wallet used my personal information to commit identity theft. I am pursuing all legal remedies to resolve this matter and hold the responsible party accountable. I am filing this complaint against EQUIFAX for multiple violations of federal law regarding their handling of fraudulent accounts on my credit report. Despite an FTC Identity Theft Report already on file and a newly filed police report, EQUIFAX continues to report accounts that were fraudulently opened in my name. These accounts stem from a stolen wallet containing my government-issued ID, Social Security card , and financial information, which led to unauthorized credit activity. Violations Committed by EQUIFAX 1. Unlawful Reinsertion of Fraudulent Accounts EQUIFAX initially deleted an account after my dispute, only to reinsert it without legally required notice under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ). This is a clear violation, as they failed to provide written notification within five business days, depriving me of my right to dispute it again. 2. Failure to Block Fraudulent Information Under FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ), EQUIFAX must block information resulting from identity theft within four business days after receiving proper documentation, including an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report. They refused to comply, allowing creditors to continue reporting fraudulent accounts. 3. Failure to Validate Information I requested debt validation for the fraudulent accounts as required under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ), but EQUIFAX failed to provide any proof that I authorized these accounts. If no legal proof exists, they are obligated to delete the information immediately. 4. Criminal Violations Committed By knowingly reporting false information, EQUIFAX is engaging in wire fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1343 ), bank fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1344 ), and mail fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1341 ), as they transmitted fraudulent data electronically and allowed adverse action notices to be sent to an incorrect address. Additionally, their actions amount to conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. 371, as they are willfully participating in deceptive financial reporting that harms consumers. EQUIFAX is not above the law and can not continue to act as if they are merely a reporting entity while ignoring their legal obligations. I will pursue civil litigation if necessary and will also escalate this matter to the United States District Attorney for criminal review. There is indisputable evidence proving EQUIFAX Is noncompliance, and they can not lawfully claim innocence given the facts presented. Criminal Violations Committed by EQUIFAX Under Title 18 U.S. Code EQUIFAXs actions in knowingly re-reporting fraudulent accounts, failing to block identity theft-related information, and refusing to comply with federal dispute laws constitute multiple criminal violations under Title 18 of the United States Code . These violations extend beyond civil infractions and fall under federal criminal law, which carries severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Below are the specific statutes EQUIFAX has violated : XXXX. XXXX XXXX ( 18 U.S.C. 1343 ) EQUIFAX has engaged in wire fraud by electronically transmitting false and misleading information across state lines. Despite receiving an FTC Identity Theft Report and a police report, they continue to report fraudulent accounts as valid. By doing so, they knowingly facilitate the misrepresentation of my financial status to lenders, which can cause financial harm, denials of credit, or higher interest rates. This constitutes a scheme to defraud, using electronic means to commit fraud against me as a consumer. 2. Bank Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1344 ) EQUIFAXs refusal to correct fraudulent accounts enables creditors to make lending decisions based on false information. This affects federally insured banks that rely on XXXX reports when determining loan eligibility. By knowingly allowing fraudulent accounts to remain, EQUIFAX is aiding and abetting bank fraud by facilitating financial deception that leads to wrongful lending or credit denials. 3. Mail Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1341 ) EQUIFAX permitted creditors to send adverse action notices to an incorrect address, resulting in my inability to dispute fraudulent accounts in a timely manner. Mailing false credit reports and adverse actions based on fraudulent data constitutes mail fraud, as they knowingly sent or caused misleading documents to be mailed, which is a federal offense. 4. Conspiracy to Commit Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 371 ) EQUIFAXs willful collaboration with creditors to keep fraudulent accounts reporting, despite clear evidence of identity theft, constitutes conspiracy to commit fraud. They are acting in concert with financial institutions by refusing to delete fraudulent accounts, ultimately harming consumers while profiting from inaccurate credit reporting. 5. Obstruction of Justice ( 18 U.S.C. 1519 ) EQUIFAXs refusal to acknowledge official identity theft complaints, police reports, and FTC reports amounts to obstruction of justice. By ignoring and delaying legally required actions, they are actively interfering with federal investigations and regulatory enforcement, which is a federal crime. 



Fraudulent Reporting by XXXX XXXX XXXX The XXXX XXXX XXXX account currently appearing on my credit report is fraudulent and was opened without my knowledge, authorization, or consent. Upon investigating this matter, I contacted XXXX XXXX XXXX directly. Their internal records confirm that : The identification information does not match my government-issued ID. 

The registered address on file is not mine. 

No adverse action notice was ever sent to me due to the mismatch and invalid data. 

This proves that the account is not only unauthorized but can not be verified due to mismatched credentials. As such, this account must be removed immediately in accordance with federal law. 

FCRA Requirements and Your Legal Obligations Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), I have submitted a formal Identity Theft Report and accompanying police report identifying this account as fraudulent. As such, Equifax is legally required to : FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) Upon receipt of an identity theft report and proper documentation, the consumer reporting agency must block the reporting of any information resulting from identity theft within XXXX ( XXXX ) business days. This includes any accounts opened using stolen identification, such as a Social Security number or drivers license. 

Your failure to block and delete the XXXX XXXX XXXX account constitutes a direct violation of this section.

Equifaxs Role : Aiding and Abetting Fraud Despite this conclusive evidence and your legal obligation to act, you have continued to report this account. By knowingly allowing an unverifiable and fraudulent account to remain on my credit report : You are aiding and abetting XXXX XXXX XXXX in identity theft and false reporting. 

This conduct rises beyond civil negligence and into the realm of criminal complicity under 18 U.S.C. 1343, 1344, 1341, 371, and 1519.

You are transmitting false information electronically ( wire fraud ), knowingly allowing banks to make decisions based on false data ( bank fraud ), and participating in the mailing of adverse actions based on that false data ( mail fraud ). 

This also constitutes obstruction of justice by ignoring documented proof of identity theft and regulatory complaints. 

Identity Theft & Breach Vulnerability In XX/XX/year>, during a trip to XXXX, Texas, I lost my wallet containing my government-issued ID, Social Security card , and sensitive financial documents. Despite immediate efforts, I was unable to recover it.

In the years since, Ive become increasingly vulnerable due to a combination of : Nationwide data breaches involving major institutions ( including financial and credit entities ). 

My lost identification documents, which have likely been exploited to open fraudulent accounts. 
Unlawful Reinsertion of Previously Deleted Fraudulent Information It is also critical to note that Equifax previously deleted the XXXX XXXX XXXX account from my credit file after I submitted a formal dispute. However, you unlawfully reinserted this same fraudulent account without providing the legally required notice under FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ). The law mandates that if a deleted item is reinserted, the consumer must receive written notice within five ( 5 ) business days of the reinsertion, which I did not receive. This blatant disregard for federal law deprived me of my right to challenge the reinsertion, and further underscores XXXX ongoing pattern of noncompliance. Reinserting previously deleted data without proper validation or notification is not only deceptiveit is unlawful and reinforces your complicity in maintaining false and damaging credit information. 



Given these facts, it is not only foreseeablebut obviousthat fraudulent activity like this could occur. Equifax is fully aware of the rising tide of identity theft and bears a heightened duty of care in investigating and resolving such claims properly and in compliance with the law.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation