Consumer complaint received 2024-12-18 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: LA

Complaint narrative:
Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I am writing to file a formal complaint against XXXX, XXXX, and Equifax for their failure to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) Section 605B, which mandates the blocking of information resulting from identity theft within four business days upon receipt of appropriate documentation.

Background : I have been a victim of identity theft, resulting in numerous unauthorized accounts and personal information entries on my credit reports. In accordance with FCRA Section 605B, I submitted the following documentation to each credit reporting agency : A completed FTC Identity Theft Report.

Proof of identity, including a clear copy of my government-issued drivers license and Social Security card .

Proof of address, including W2 2023 A detailed list of unauthorized accounts and personal information to be blocked. 
I am writing to formally demand immediate action to address the unauthorized accounts and personal information reported on my credit file. Despite providing all necessary documentation, including my FTC Identity Theft Report, identification, and proof of address, the credit reporting agencies have failed to block the disputed information within the four business days mandated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2.

Furthermore, I have reason to believe that the back-office teams of these agencies are engaging in practices that exacerbate my situation, including : Aggravated Identity Theft : By retaining and reporting information that I have identified as fraudulent, they are complicit in the continued misuse of my personal data. This is a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028A, which prohibits knowingly transferring, possessing, or using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person during and in relation to any felony violation enumerated in subsection ( c ).

Accessory to Companies Holding Information Against My Will : By failing to act on my legitimate requests, they are aiding companies in maintaining unauthorized accounts in my name. This complicity may be interpreted as aiding and abetting under 18 U.S.C. 2, which holds individuals accountable for assisting in the commission of a federal offense.

RICO Violations : Their collective inaction and potential coordination in neglecting consumer disputes may constitute a pattern of racketeering activity under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act ( 18 U.S.C. 1961-1968 ). RICO targets organized criminal activity and racketeering, enhancing existing criminal punishments and creating new causes of action for acts done as part of an organized criminal enterprise. 
XXXX XXXX and XXXX : The continued reporting of false information can be seen as a coercive tactic, pressuring me to take unnecessary actions to clear my name. Such actions may fall under extortion statutes, including 18 U.S.C. 873, which criminalizes the act of demanding money or other valuable things under threat of informing or as consideration for not informing against any violation of law.

These actions not only violate federal laws but also infringe upon my rights as a consumer. I urge the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to investigate these matters thoroughly and ensure that the credit reporting agencies comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

Despite providing all required documentation, the credit reporting agencies have failed to block the fraudulent information within the mandated four-business-day period. Instead, I have received responses indicating that my proof of address and identification were not valid or legible, which is unfounded as the documents submitted were clear and met all necessary requirements.

Specific Unauthorized Accounts and Information : The unauthorized accounts and personal information include, but are not limited to : Accounts : XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX XXXX  XXXX - Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account Number : XXXX XXXX Mortgage XXXX Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  - Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX  - Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX/ XXXX Bank XXXX Account Number : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - Account XXXX : XXXX Unauthorized Names : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, LA XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, LA XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX LA XXXX XXXX Boxwood XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX Phone XXXX : ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Legal Violations : The credit reporting agencies failure to block the fraudulent information constitutes a violation of : FCRA Section 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ) : Mandates the blocking of information resulting from identity theft within four business days upon receipt of appropriate documentation.

FCRA Section 623 ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) : Requires furnishers of information to cease reporting information identified by the consumer as resulting from identity theft.

FCRA Section 611 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) : Requires credit reporting agencies to conduct a reasonable investigation of disputed information.

Impact on Me : The continued presence of fraudulent accounts and information on my credit reports has caused significant harm, including : Denial of credit applications.

Increased interest rates due to lowered credit scores.

Emotional distress and XXXX.

Request for CFPB Intervention : I respectfully request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau take immediate action to : 1. Investigate the non-compliance of XXXX, XXXX, and Equifax with FCRA Section 605B.

2. Compel these agencies to block the fraudulent information on my credit reports without further delay. 
XXXX. Ensure that the credit reporting agencies implement proper procedures to prevent future violations of consumer rights under the FCRA. 
I have attached copies of all correspondence with the credit reporting agencies, including the documentation submitted and their responses, for your reference. 
Thank you for your prompt attention to this serious matter. 
My SSN Is XXXX As Even though not lawfully required Equifax XXXX XXXX and XXXX still asks for it Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, LA XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation