Consumer complaint received 2025-04-02 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Equifax violated 18 U.S.C. 1343 ( Wire Fraud ) by transmitting false data security assurances while failing to prevent unauthorized electronic access to consumer information. They violated 18 U.S.C. 1341 ( Mail Fraud ) by sending misleading written communications claiming strong protections, then allowing breaches. Under 18 U.S.C. 1344 ( Bank Fraud ), they facilitated fraudulent use of compromised consumer FINnancial data, harming financial institutions. By providing false statements to federal agencies and regulators, CAPITAL XXXX, XXXX XXXX  XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Equifax violated 18 U.S.C. 1001, and their repeated actions show a pattern of racketeering activity, violating 18 U.S.C. 1962 ( RICO ). Their willful disregard of basic cybersecurity standards and enabling of identity theft also violate 18 U.S.C. 1028 ( Identity Theft ) and 18 U.S.C. 1030 ( Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ). Collectively, these acts form a conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. 371, demonstrating deliberate participation in unlawful transactions. 


In XX/XX/XXXX XXXX PM, while I was dining at a restaurant in XXXX XXXX, Texas XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX, 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 XXXX XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX 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, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX 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 XXXX XXXX and financial information, which led to unauthorized credit activity. Violations Committed by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Equifax XXXX. Unlawful Reinsertion of Fraudulent Accounts XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX & 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 ), CAPITAL XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX & 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 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX & 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, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX & 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. XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX 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 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Equifax Is noncompliance, and they can not lawfully claim innocence given the facts presented. Criminal Violations Committed by XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX & Equifax Under Title 18 U.S. Code XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Equifax 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 XXXX XXXX, XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Equifax has violated : 1. Wire Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 1343 ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX & 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 ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX & Equifax refusal to correct fraudulent accounts enables creditors to make lending decisions based on false information. This affects federally insured banks that rely on XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX & Equifax reports when determining loan eligibility. By knowingly allowing fraudulent accounts to remainXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX & 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 ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX & 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. XXXX. Conspiracy to Commit Fraud ( 18 U.S.C. 371 ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Equifax 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. XXXX. Obstruction of Justice ( 18 U.S.C. 1519 ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX Equifax 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. 

this complaint against Equifax Information Services LLC for willful and negligent violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ( CFAA ), 18 U.S.C. 1030. Equifax has knowingly engaged in unauthorized use, transmission, and continued dissemination of my personal and sensitive information without proper authorization, despite clear evidence of identity theft and multiple formal notices. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, while dining at a restaurant located at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX, I lost my wallet, which contained my government-issued ID, Social Security card , and financial documents. Shortly after this loss, fraudulent accounts were opened in my name without my knowledge or consent. 

Upon reviewing my Equifax credit file, I discovered unauthorized accounts and adverse actions listed, which were established using my stolen information. I have submitted to Equifax an FTC Identity Theft Report, a police report, and formal dispute letters, all documenting that these accounts were fraudulently opened and that adverse actions were taken against me based on this unauthorized data use. 

Despite receiving these official notices, Equifax has continued to willfully transmit, store, and disseminate false, inaccurate, and unauthorized data related to these fraudulent accounts, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1030 ( a ) ( 2 ) ( C ), which prohibits intentionally accessing a computer without authorization or exceeding authorized access to obtain information from a protected computer.

Equifaxs ongoing failure to block and remove this fraudulent data after being notified constitutes unauthorized access, transmission, and misuse of protected consumer information. Their noncompliance has resulted in : Continued unauthorized publication and transmission of my stolen information to third-party lenders and creditors. 

Facilitating further fraudulent activity and financial harm to me. 

Obstructing federal processes and protections established under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act. 

Additionally, by allowing unauthorized access to my personal data and transmitting this fraudulent information across interstate networks, Equifax is knowingly participating in conduct prohibited under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ( CFAA ), 18 U.S.C. 1030 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( A ) and ( C ) causing damage and loss to me as a consumer.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief