Consumer complaint received 2024-05-12 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Other personal consumer report
Issue: Identity theft protection or other monitoring services — Didn't receive services that were advertised
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Was really expecting more help from CFPB other than it just being an email forwarding service. 

In XXXX Equifax made available to unauthorized entities the detailed personal data of XXXX XXXX people. There is no expiration data for the trove of consumer data they released. Reports show data from breeches may be used years from the date it was been acquired. Consumers are now given the extra burden of finding methods to safeguards to protect unauthorized use of their data released without their permission. 

XXXX reported more than XXXX major data breeches in XXXX. 
I receive notification of some sort of data breech notification weekly. 
( I have received several SPAM calls from people who know my name, address, phone, and DOB ) Consumers have no options available to limit companies from which they choose to do business with from sharing personal information with credit bureaus. They can however limit Equifax from making money from selling of their information. 

Last time I submitted a ticket to CFPB regarding lack of response from Equifax, automated response from Equifax was to send in their form along with government ID. I complied THREE TIMES with the information they requested. 
They NEVER responded with the information requested Numerous repeated snailmail requests to Equifax ( they dont offer any type of customer phone support ), to place extended fraud alert on my file, and online procedure to be able to temporarily lift freeze if required, have all been ignored. 

Equifax has a history of not responding to requests, even when all documentation they request is provided. They are the ONLY reporting service blocking my requests. All others have replied in a timely manner. 

XXXXne automated snailmail reply suggested I could download my report via XXXX XXXX A download of my credit report would not solve the requests for placing a freeze which I requested. 

XXXX - Credit report provided by Equifax showed a security freeze was still in place. 

XX/XX/XXXX - Snailmailed request and all documentation required to ensure extended fraud alert was still in place. Requested verification was never provided. 

XX/XX/XXXX Attempted to access my account online. Failed miserably. No chat available. 
Popup stated I should call some number. 
As directed by popup on Equifax website, called XXXX. 
Automated help couldnt identify me. 
No transfer to live person for further help. Help number hung up on me. 
Snailmailed appropriate forms, requested documents, stating specifically what I needed : 1 ) Needed ability to access to view status of freeze 2 ) Procedure for ability to be able to temporarily lift freeze online Unable to access account online, and no helpdesk to talk to, was forced to submit requests via snailmail. Snailmailed documents used previously to place extended freeze, and specific requests listed above. 

XX/XX/XXXX Not hearing from Equifax for 36 days, submitted complaint to Consumer Finance Protection Board. Complaint Number XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX  notice from Equifax I needed to once again submit standard documents ( govt ID, utility statement ) Requested documents and specific requests submitted once again. 

XX/XX/XXXX XXXX notice from Equifax. Yet again, I needed to submit standard documents ( govt ID, utility statement ) Requested documents and specific requests submitted once again. 

XX/XX/XXXX XXXX notice from Equifax I needed to once again submit standard documents ( govt ID, utility statement ) Requested documents and specific requests submitted once again. 

XX/XX/XXXX email from CFPB stating my case had been closed.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation