Consumer complaint received 2025-12-04 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: NY

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint because a XXXX  XXXX Bankruptcy, referenced as Ref : XXXX, continues to appear on my credit report even though I did not file, authorize, initiate, participate in, or have any knowledge of this bankruptcy at any point in my life. I have never retained a bankruptcy attorney, never appeared before any bankruptcy court, never submitted any petition, and have never been involved in any legal process related to bankruptcy. This bankruptcy filing was not created by me, and through my investigation into this matter, it is clear that I am the victim of identity theft and unauthorized use of my personal information. 

To protect myself, I have already filed an FTC Identity Theft Report, and I am taking all appropriate steps to report and document that this bankruptcy is fraudulent. Because bankruptcy is one of the most serious derogatory marks that can appear on a consumers credit file, the presence of a fraudulent bankruptcy is causing extreme and ongoing harm, including the denial of credit, higher interest rates, anxiety regarding my financial reputation, and the long-term inability to obtain credit, housing, transportation, or employment opportunities.

What follows is a complete account of what happened, how I discovered the issue, why this bankruptcy does not belong to me, and the legal and procedural violations that have occurred due to its continued reporting. 

XXXX. XXXX of the Fraudulent Bankruptcy I first became aware of the fraudulent bankruptcy when I reviewed my credit reports and noticed the listing of a XXXX XXXX Bankruptcy filed under Ref : XXXX. This immediately raised concerns because : I have never filed for XXXX  XXXX or any other type of bankruptcy I have never received notices, letters, or legal paperwork from the bankruptcy court I have never been contacted by trustees, attorneys, or creditors related to a bankruptcy case I have never attended or been invited to a XXXX meeting ( meeting of creditors ) I have never received a discharge order, court docket, or any documentation from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court The presence of this bankruptcy was a complete shock. There has never been a moment in my life when filing bankruptcy was discussed, needed, considered, or appropriate. 

This reinforced my conclusion that : Someone else used my personal identifying information fraudulently to file a bankruptcy petition that has been wrongfully attributed to me. 

2. Filing the FTC Identity Theft Report After discovering this bankruptcy, I immediately filed an FTC Identity Theft Report, detailing that this bankruptcy was not mine and that my personal information had been compromised. The FTC report confirms that : I did not open or authorize the filing Any documentation submitted to the court did not originate from me My identity has been misused The existence of the FTC report establishes a formal record that I am a victim of identity theft, and the report places a legal obligation on all furnishers and reporting agencies to take the identity theft claim seriously. 

XXXX. I NEVER Filed XXXX  XXXX Bankruptcy XXXX Participation A key fact is that I have never filed for bankruptcynot XXXX  XXXX, not XXXX XXXX, not any form of bankruptcy. This means : My signature does not appear on any filing I have never submitted a bankruptcy petition I have never attended or been notified of a XXXX meeting I have never communicated with bankruptcy counsel I have never received court notices, legal orders, docket information, or case updates I never authorized anyone else to file on my behalf Bankruptcy filings require verification of identity, and yet someone managed to use my personal information without my knowledge or consent. I am the victim of fraud. 

4. The Bankruptcy Court Has No Valid Record Connected to Me Because I never filed this bankruptcy, the court recordif one existscannot contain : My legitimate personal information My authentic signature My actual financial disclosures Documents created or submitted by me My attendance at any hearings or XXXX creditor meetings My communications with any trustee Any information submitted to the court using my identity is fraudulent, unauthorized, and legally invalid. The bankruptcy courts systems were misused by a third party. 

5. Harm Caused by the False Bankruptcy Reporting A fraudulent bankruptcy is one of the most damaging events that can appear on a credit report. The presence of this unauthorized XXXX  XXXX filing has caused : Severe damage to my credit standing Denials of credit applications Increased interest rates on lines of credit and loans Barriers to securing housing or rental approvals Impact on employment opportunities due to credit checks Emotional distress, financial XXXX, and reputational harm Long-term restrictions on financial rebuilding A XXXX  XXXX bankruptcy remains on a credit report for up to 10 years, meaning this fraudulent event could continue to harm me for nearly a decade unless it is removed. 

This is unlawful and unfair, especially given that I am the victim of identity theft. 

6. FCRA Violations by Continuing to Report the Fraudulent Bankruptcy Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), bankruptcy information must be : Accurate Verifiable Belonging to the correct consumer Because the bankruptcy does not belong to me, reporting it violates several FCRA provisions : FCRA 602 ( A ) Accuracy and Fairness Credit reporting must be fair and accurate. Reporting a fraudulent bankruptcy violates this foundational principle.

FCRA 607 ( B ) Reasonable Procedures to Assure Maximum Possible Accuracy The continued reporting proves that maximum possible accuracy was not upheld.

FCRA 611 ( A ) Reinvestigation Requirements Once disputed, information must be thoroughly verified.

A bankruptcy can not be verified under my identity because : I never filed it I never signed any documents I never appeared in court I did not participate in any legal proceedings FCRA 605B Blocking Fraudulent Information When a consumer submits an identity theft report ( which I have ), furnishers and credit bureaus must block fraudulent information within four business days.

This did not happen. 

7. No Furnisher Has Produced Any Documentation That I Filed This Bankruptcy To date, no entity has provided : A bankruptcy petition signed by me Verified identity documents used at filing IP logs, device information, or attorney records resulting in court submission Trustee reports confirming my attendance Any legitimate association between me and the case No verification exists because the bankruptcy is fraudulent.

Under the FCRA, if a furnisher can not verify the accuracy of information with original documentation, it must be deleted. 

XXXX. Fraudulent Bankruptcy Filings Are a Known Identity Theft Method Identity thieves sometimes file fraudulent bankruptcies to : Delay creditor actions Block collection attempts Manipulate someone elses financial records Mask their own crimes I believe that someone used my identity to : Stop their own creditors from pursuing them Mislead creditors into thinking I was undergoing bankruptcy Avoid financial obligations Exploit weaknesses in identity verification systems I am now suffering the consequences of someone elses criminal behavior. 

9. Credit Bureaus Have an Obligation to Remove Fraudulent Bankruptcy Information A bankruptcy is one of the most serious items reported on a credit file. The FCRA requires that : Furnishers must not report inaccurate or unverifiable information Bureaus must conduct a meaningful reinvestigation Fraudulent information must be blocked upon receipt of an FTC report Bankruptcy courts must not be relied upon unless the identity is fully verified The reporting of this bankruptcy violates these obligations.

10. Bankruptcy Can not Be Corrected It Must Be Deleted Unlike a loan or collection account, a bankruptcy can not be updated, modified, or corrected.

Either : The consumer filed it, or The consumer did not file it.

In my case, I absolutely did not file it. 

Therefore : There is no scenario where this bankruptcy can lawfully remain on my credit report. 
It must be deleted. 

11. My Credit File Should Not Contain Court Information That Is Not Mine Court records are extremely sensitive. My credit report currently reflects : A case number tied to someone else A filing date I never initiated Legal processes I never participated in A discharge for debts that are not mine A court docket that is completely unrelated to me This is not just inaccurate it is a false legal record attached to my identity.

12. How This Fraudulent Bankruptcy Has Impacted My Life This fraudulent bankruptcy has caused significant hardship : I have been denied credit due to the presence of bankruptcy Credit card applications have been rejected Renters have declined my application Loans have been approved only with extremely high interest rates Insurance premiums have been affected Employers have questioned my financial history My financial credibility has been damaged I am constantly worried about who stole my information and why The psychological toll of having a fraudulent bankruptcy linked to my name has been overwhelming.

13. Identity Theft Victims Are Protected Under Federal Law Federal law protects identity theft victims through : The FTC Identity Theft Program FCRA 605B blocking provisions CFPB enforcement of inaccurate reporting Criminal penalties for misuse of identity The right to dispute and remove fraudulent information My rights under these laws have been violated by the continued reporting of this bankruptcy.

XXXX. I Am Requesting a Complete Investigation and Immediate Removal A fair and lawful resolution requires : Removal of the XXXX  XXXX Bankruptcy from all bureaus Blocking future reinsertion Notifying all furnishers that this case is fraudulent Ensuring that no associated accounts remain Preventing any future harm through reinvestigation requirements Because I have already provided an FTC Identity Theft Report, the burden falls on the furnisher to prove authenticity. 
They can not do so because I never filed this bankruptcy. 

XXXX. Summary of What Happened A XXXX  XXXX Bankruptcy ( Ref : XXXX ) was filed without my knowledge or consent My identity was used fraudulently I discovered the false bankruptcy through my credit report I filed an FTC Identity Theft Report to document the fraud I have never filed for bankruptcy in my life No documentation exists with my legitimate signature or authorization The bankruptcy court has no legitimate participation from me The continued reporting violates multiple sections of the FCRA The fraudulent bankruptcy is causing severe ongoing harm I am requesting the full deletion and suppression of this bankruptcy because it does not belong to me. 

Conclusion I am the victim of identity theft. Someone used my personal information without authorization to file a XXXX  XXXX Bankruptcy that has been wrongfully attached to my credit file. This fraudulent bankruptcy has caused enormous harm and violates numerous federal laws governing accuracy, verification, and reporting of credit information. I respectfully request the CFPBs assistance in ensuring that this fraudulent bankruptcy is fully removed from my credit reports, blocked from reinsertion, and acknowledged as identity theft in accordance with the FCRA.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief