Consumer complaint received 2024-12-15 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: IL

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this formal complaint against XXXX for their failure to comply with federal laws governing consumer privacy and disclosure rights. XXXX has violated my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), the Privacy Act of 1974, and other applicable statutes by : 1. Failing to Provide Required Disclosures : XXXX did not provide me with any disclosures or notifications regarding my rights to opt out of the sharing of my personal information with third parties. 
2. Failure to Honor My Opt-Out Request : I recently sent XXXX a formal opt-out notice, as permitted under 12 CFR 1016.7 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( i ) and 15 USC 6802, requesting that they immediately cease the disclosure of my personal information. Despite this, XXXX has continued to share my information without my authorization, directly violating my federally protected consumer rights. 
Details of the Violations : Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681, Section 602 ( a ), it is stated : There is a need to ensure that consumer reporting agencies exercise their grave responsibilities with fairness, impartiality, and a respect for the consumers right to privacy. 
Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX are consumer reporting agencies, and I am the consumer. I have the right to ensure my private information is not shared without my consent. 
This right is further supported by 15 U.S.C. 6801, which declares : It is the policy of Congress that each financial institution has an affirmative and continuing obligation to respect the privacy of its customers and to protect the security and confidentiality of those customers nonpublic personal information. 
A furnisher of information to credit agencies qualifies as a financial institution under this definition. 
Per 15 U.S.C. 1681, Section 604 ( a ) ( 2 ) : A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report only in accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates. 
Neither XXXX ( the furnisher of information ) nor the consumer reporting agenciesEquifax, XXXX, or XXXX my consent, written or otherwise, to furnish or report my information. Any prior consent, whether verbal, non-verbal, written, implied, or otherwise, is hereby revoked. 
Additionally, 15 U.S.C. 6802 ( b ) - ( c ) states : A financial institution may not disclose nonpublic personal information to a nonaffiliated third party unless the consumer is given an explanation of how the consumer can exercise the nondisclosure option. 
I was never informed of my right to exercise this option, which constitutes a failure to comply with the law. 
Under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( A ) ( 1 ) ( A ), it is stated : A person shall not furnish information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate.

Moreover, 15 U.S.C. 1681e requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain reasonable procedures to ensure compliance with 1681c and limit the furnishing of consumer reports to authorized purposes under 1681b. Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX have failed to meet this requirement in their handling of my information. 
Lastly, 12 C.F.R. 1016.7 explicitly states : A consumer may exercise the right to opt-out at any time.

I am exercising my right to opt out of all reporting services provided by Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX. 
Requested Resolution : 1. I request the immediate removal of all unauthorized and inaccurate information reported by XXXX from my credit files with Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX. 
2. I demand that XXXX cease all reporting of my personal information and comply fully with my opt-out request. 
3. I request compensation in the maximum allowable amount of {$1000.00} for these violations, as provided under the FCRA and Privacy Act of 1974. 
Impact on Me as a Consumer : XXXX actions have violated my trust, compromised my privacy, and caused undue stress. Their failure to comply with federal laws governing the accuracy, privacy, and proper handling of consumer information has further damaged my ability to ensure my credit file reflects accurate and lawful information. 
I trust the CFPB will investigate XXXX violations and hold them accountable for failing to respect my federally protected consumer rights.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief