Consumer complaint received 2025-05-14 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this formal complaint regarding the unlawful and improper use of my consumer credit report by both credit reporting agencies and furnishers, in direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq., and related consumer protection laws. These violations include : The continued reporting of inaccurate and unverifiable information, The failure to conduct reasonable and timely reinvestigations, And the improper handling of identity theft-related claims. 

Despite having notified the credit bureaus and data furnishers about these issues, no meaningful corrective action has been taken. 

The following accounts and inquiries are disputed : XXXX. Account : XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$0.00} Status : Collection Issue : This collection account reflects a {$0.00} balance but is still being reported as active. Under FCRA 1681i, accounts that can not be verified or are inaccurate must be removed. There is no supporting documentation or validation provided for this debt, nor proof of my obligation to it. Continued reporting of this unverified collection is misleading and legally noncompliant. 

XXXX. Account : XXXX Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Date Opened : XX/XX/XXXX Balance : {$400.00} Status : Charge-Off Issue : This account is being reported as a charge-off without any evidence of the original contract, account statements, or legally required validation of debt. I have not received any documents confirming this debts legitimacy or my agreement to its terms. Per FCRA 1681i and FDCPA 809 ( a ), unverifiable and undocumented accounts must be removed from the credit report. 

Unauthorized XXXX Inquiries : XXXX. Inquiries Without Permissible Purpose : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Issue : I did not authorize any of these inquiries. Under FCRA 1681b, a credit inquiry must have a permissible purpose, such as a valid application for credit or insurance. I request documented proof showing my explicit authorization for each of these hard inquiries. If none exists, these inquiries must be permanently removed. 

Identity Theft and Failure to Block Fraudulent Data : As a documented victim of identity theft, I have attached my FTC Identity Theft Report ( # XXXX ) as required under FCRA 1681c-2. Credit bureaus are legally obligated to block fraudulent information from a consumers report within XXXX business days of receiving valid documentation. Despite this, the disputed items remain on my file, compounding the damage to my financial stability and personal reputation. 

Summary and Demand for Immediate Action : This continued negligence and failure to comply with federal obligations echo the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus ( CFPB ) active lawsuit against XXXX  credit reporting agencies for widespread FCRA violations and deceptive consumer practices. 

As a result of this noncompliance, I have suffered financial hardship, including credit denials and employment barriers. The mishandling of my dispute and identity theft claims demonstrates a willful disregard for federal consumer protection laws. 

I am demanding the following : Immediate deletion of the unverifiable collection and charge-off accounts listed above. 

Removal of all unauthorized hard inquiries unless legally validated with my written authorization. 

Blocking of all fraudulent information as required under FCRA 1681c-2 within four business days. 

Written confirmation of your investigation results and the actions taken. 

If these issues are not resolved promptly, I will escalate this complaint to the CFPB, FTC, State Attorney General, and seek civil damages under FCRA 616 and 617 for willful noncompliance.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief