Consumer complaint received 2025-04-25 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I, XXXX XXXX XXXX, submit this formal complaint against Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian for their continued and willful violations of federal consumer protection laws under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ). These violations include the unlawful reinsertion of previously deleted accounts without proper notification, failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy, failure to investigate disputes within the mandated timeframe, failure to provide verification details upon request, and failure to validate debt prior to reporting. 

Background & Violations : My credit reports contain fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries that the Bureaus have failed to properly investigate and address despite multiple disputes and supporting documentation. Additionally, these Bureaus have removed fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries only to reinsert them without proper validation, constituting an egregious violation of 15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) and ( b ).

I sent a certified dispute letter to all three credit bureaus requesting verification details, including contracts, signatures, and all relevant documentation for these accounts. Despite more than 15 days passing, I have not received any response or documentation from any of the bureaus, which constitutes an additional violation of federal consumer protection laws, specifically : 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) : Failure to investigate disputes within the required 30-day period.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) ( B ) : Failure to provide notice and certification before reinserting previously deleted information.

15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum possible accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) ( 4 ) : Failure to provide verification of debt, including original contracts and signatures, upon request.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ) : Failure to provide specific details on dispute findings.

Related Lawsuits & CFPB Actions : The CFPB has actively taken enforcement actions against the credit bureaus for similar violations, further demonstrating a pattern of noncompliance. These legal precedents reinforce the validity of my complaint : Experian Lawsuit ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : The CFPB filed a lawsuit against Experian for failing to properly investigate consumer disputes regarding credit report inaccuracies. 

TransUnion Settlement ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : The CFPB, alongside the FTC, reached a {$15.00} XXXX settlement with TransUnion for failing to ensure the accuracy of tenant screening reports. 

Equifax Lawsuit ( XX/XX/XXXX ) : The CFPB filed a major lawsuit against Equifax for repeated violations of the FCRA and deceptive practices that misled consumers regarding credit report accuracy. 

These actions underscore the CFPBs commitment to enforcing the FCRA and ensuring that consumer reporting agencies uphold their obligations. My case mirrors these past violations, and I urge the CFPB to take similar action against Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. 

Fraudulent Accounts & Unauthorized Reinsertions : XXXX. XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXXAccount # : XXXX Violations : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Failure to investigate disputes within 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ( a ) : Failure to block fraudulent accounts upon receiving proper documentation.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) : Failure to provide debt validation within five days of reporting.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) : Illegal reinsertion of previously removed information without proper validation.

15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) : Failure to provide identity theft protections.

Request : I REQUEST REMOVAL AND BLOCKING OF THIS ACCOUNT FROM MY REPORT IMMEDIATELY. 

XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # : XXXX Violations : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Failure to investigate disputes within 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) : Failure to provide debt validation within five days of reporting.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) : Illegal reinsertion of previously removed information without proper validation.

15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) : Failure to provide identity theft protections.

Request : I REQUEST REMOVAL AND BLOCKING OF THIS ACCOUNT FROM MY REPORT IMMEDIATELY. 

3. MERCHANTS ACCEPTANCE Account # : XXXX & XXXX Violations : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Failure to investigate disputes within 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) : Failure to provide debt validation within five days of reporting.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) : Illegal reinsertion of previously removed information without proper validation.

15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) : Failure to provide identity theft protections.

Request : I REQUEST REMOVAL AND BLOCKING OF THIS ACCOUNT FROM MY REPORT IMMEDIATELY. 

4. XXXX Account # : XXXX Violations : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Failure to investigate disputes within 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) : Failure to provide debt validation within five days of reporting.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) : Illegal reinsertion of previously removed information without proper validation.

15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) : Failure to provide identity theft protections.

Request : I REQUEST REMOVAL AND BLOCKING OF THIS ACCOUNT FROM MY REPORT IMMEDIATELY. 

XX/XX/XXXX Account # : XXXX Violations : 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : Failure to ensure maximum accuracy.

15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) : Failure to investigate disputes within 30 days.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( a ) : Failure to provide debt validation within five days of reporting.

15 U.S.C. 1692g ( b ) : Illegal reinsertion of previously removed information without proper validation.

Request : I REQUEST CORRECTING AND REMOVING THESE LATE PAYMENTS FROM MY REPORT IMMEDIATELY. 

Unauthorized Inquiries ( Require Immediate Removal ) : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XX/XX/XXXXViolations : 15 U.S.C. 1681b : Failure to provide permissible purpose for credit report inquiries.

Fla. Stat. 501.204 : Unfair and deceptive trade practices under Florida law.

Request : I REQUEST REMOVAL OF THESE INQUIRIES FROM MY REPORT IMMEDIATELY. 

Incorrect and Outdated Addresses : XXXXXX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Violations : 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) : Failure to update and correct outdated personal information on credit reports.

15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ) : Failure to provide identity theft protections and update incorrect data.

Request : I REQUEST REMOVAL OF THESE INCORRECT ADDRESSES FROM MY REPORT IMMEDIATELY.

Demands for Resolution : Immediate Removal and Blockage : Remove and block all fraudulent accounts and unauthorized inquiries from my credit file across all three bureaus.

Written Confirmation : Provide written confirmation of the removal of these accounts and inquiries along with updated copies of my credit reports.

Thorough Investigation : Conduct a full investigation into how these fraudulent accounts and inquiries were recorded without my consent.

Provide findings in writing, including all requested verification details, such as contracts and signatures.

Compliance with Identity Theft Protections : Implement fraud alerts and provide identity theft resources as mandated under 15 U.S.C. 1681g ( e ).

Conclusion : The continued noncompliance by Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian has caused significant financial harm and distress. Given the CFPBs history of legal action against these credit bureaus for similar misconduct, I urge immediate enforcement action to ensure compliance with federal law and provide appropriate remedies under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o for willful and negligent violations.

Your intervention is necessary to ensure these Bureaus are held accountable and that my credit report is permanently corrected. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief