Consumer complaint received 2025-12-16 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: TN

Complaint narrative:
This complaint is intended to supplement and be read in conjunction with my prior CFPB complaint against Equifax XXXX Inc., Complaint No. XXXX, originally submitted on XX/XX/year>. 

That earlier complaint concerns medical identity theft and the reporting of medical collection accounts without my authorization or a XXXX release. Equifax has issued an interim response stating that it is still working on the matter. 
After submitting that complaint, and after Equifax received my dispute and identification documents, Equifax sent me a letter demanding that I provide my full Social Security number as a condition of continuing the investigation. 
I believe this request constitutes a procedural stall tactic, and I am submitting this supplemental complaint to ensure the CFPB has a complete and accurate record. 
Before submitting my original dispute, I anticipated that Equifax might attempt to delay the investigation by requesting unnecessary or overly sensitive personal information. I have heard of this tactic being used against other consumers in similar disputes. To prevent this, I took the following steps before and at the time of my original CFPB complaint : XXXX. I notarized my dispute letter, affirming my identity under oath. 

Attached to this complaint is a photocopy ( image ) of my notarized dispute letter sent to Equifax. The original notarized letter was mailed. The image accurately reflects the notarized document. This attachment is provided to ensure the CFPB has a complete record of my efforts to verify my identity and cooperate in good faith. 

XXXX. I provided clear copies of my government-issued drivers license ( front and back ). 

XXXX. I provided multiple proofs of current address, including financial and insurance documents. 

XXXX. I uploaded all of these identification documents directly to the CFPB portal so Equifax could not reasonably claim uncertainty about my identity. 

Despite this, Equifax has now requested my full Social Security number, even though my identity has already been verified through notarization and government-issued identification, and even though Equifax is XXXX responding within a CFPB-supervised complaint. 
I do not believe this request is required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, nor is it reasonable given the identity-theft context of this dispute. I am concerned that Equifax is attempting to delay or obstruct the investigation required under FCRA by imposing unnecessary conditions after the fact. 
I am submitting this complaint to document Equifaxs conduct and to request that the CFPB consider this behavior when evaluating Equifaxs compliance with its obligations under the FCRA, including its duty to conduct a timely and good-faith investigation.

I am attaching Equifaxs letter requesting my Social Security number, along with the same identification documents already provided, for completeness. 
I respectfully request that the CFPB consider this information when evaluating Equifaxs handling of my dispute and ensure that Equifax complies with its obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act without imposing unnecessary or unreasonable barriers to investigation. 
Thank you for your attention to this matter. 
XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation