Consumer complaint received 2025-05-17 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Telecommunications debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt was result of identity theft
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
b'This is a formal complaint regarding a fraudulent Verizon tradeline being reported under XXXX XXXX  by Equifax, XXXX XXXX XXXX  I am NOT the account holder. It is linked to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  a place I have never lived. I have only ever resided at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX which is the only address that should appear on my credit profile.\n\nDespite repeated disputes and overwhelming evidence of identity theft, the bureaus have failed to delete this fraudulent tradeline, and Equifax has the audacity to leave this derogatory item while removing clear inaccurate data  a clear act of negligence and retaliatory data suppression.\n\n CRITICAL LEGAL & REGULATORY VIOLATIONS:\n1. Conflicting and false data:\n\XXXX  lists an opening date of XXXX  Equifax and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXhis violates FCRA  1681e(b)  accuracy and consistency standards.\n\n2. ILLEGAL Late Payment Reporting on Open Status:\n\nEquifax reports Late 120 Days on an Open account  this is both logically and legally false. You cannot charge off a debt and simultaneously keep it open. Thats misrepresentation and defamation.\n\n3. Address Fraud:\n\nEquifax continues to reporXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX is not my residence and violates FCRA  605 and privacy protections. My credit report is being XXXX  with incorrect personal data.\n\n4. XXXX  is not licensed to collect debt in Georgia:\n\nI request proof that XXXX  or its collection agents are licensed to collect debt in the State of Georgia. If they are not, this is a violation of GA Fair Business Practices Act and federal law.\n\n5. No Wet Signature or Original Contract:\n\nI demand a copy of the original contract bearing my wet (ink) signature. If XXXX  or its agents cannot provide this, then they have no authority to report this debt or pursue collections.\n\n6. IRS Charge-Off Violation  Where is my 1099-C?\n\nThe account is charged off with a balance of XXXX  Under IRS guidelines, creditors are required to issue a Form 1099-C (Cancellation of Debt) for any charge-off exceeding $XXXX. I have never received such form. This implies either:\n\nThe debt was not legally charged off, OR\n\XXXX  failed to notify the IRS and myself  a potential tax fraud issue.\n\n7. Account type is not a credit line:\n\nThis is a wireless service. XXXX  is a utility/telecom company  not a lender. Reporting this as a credit tradeline is a misclassification and violates Regulation V and the definition of a consumer report under FCRA  603(d).\n\n8. No Permissible Purpose:\n\nUnder FCRA 604(a), there must be a valid purpose to include a tradeline in my report. Verizon has failed to establish any relationship, authorization, or agreement with me.\nADDITIONAL FCRA VIOLATION  UNAUTHORIZED INQUIRIES WITH NO PERMISSIBLE PURPOSE\n\nEquifax is reporting a large number of unauthorized hard inquiries on my credit file without any connected open accounts, authorizations, or disclosures. Under FCRA  604(a), a company must have a "permissible purpose" to pull or access a consumers credit report. I have not applied for credit with these entities, nor have I received any proper disclosures from Equifax as required by law. \n\nThe following inquiries appear on my credit report with no active accounts or permissible basis:XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX matching open accounts, no application records, and no provided disclosures. These unauthorized pulls are damaging my score and reputation  and constitute willful violations of the FCRA.'

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief