Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports -- Improper use of your report -- Complaint #13279223
Experian Accused of Improper Credit Report Use
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 13279223
Company: Experian Information Solutions INC.
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports
Sub-Product: Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report
Sub-Issue: Reporting company used your report improperly
State: Maryland
ZIP Code: 21804
Date Received: 2025-04-30T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2025-04-30T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: medium
The improper use of a credit report by a reporting company like Experian can lead to significant privacy violations and potential financial harm to consumers.
Consumer Sentiment: neutral
Topics: Credit reporting, Improper use of report
AI Analysis
CFPB complaint 13279223 was filed against Experian Information Solutions Inc. regarding Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports (Credit reporting), specifically about "Improper use of your report". Experian improperly used a consumer's credit report in Maryland, leading to a closed case with an explanation. The complaint was received on April 30, 2025 from Maryland. The company responded with "Closed with explanation".
What You Should Do -- Consumer Action Plan
Consumers should regularly review their credit reports for accuracy and report any unauthorized access or use to the credit bureaus and the CFPB.
Legal Context & Consumer Protection Laws
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use and accuracy of consumer credit reports, prohibiting improper use by reporting companies.
Regulatory Insight
This case highlights the importance of robust internal controls and compliance training for credit reporting agencies to prevent unauthorized or improper report usage.
Resolution Likelihood
mixed
State-Specific Consumer Protections
In Maryland, as elsewhere, consumers are protected by federal laws like the FCRA, and state-specific consumer protection agencies may also offer recourse.
Industry Comparison
While Experian is a major credit bureau, improper use of reports can occur across the industry, underscoring the need for vigilance from all reporting agencies.
Related Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CFPB complaint 13279223 about?
CFPB complaint 13279223 involves Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports (Credit reporting). The consumer reported an issue with "Improper use of your report", specifically "Reporting company used your report improperly". This complaint was filed against Experian Information Solutions Inc. on April 30, 2025.
Which company is complaint 13279223 filed against?
Complaint 13279223 was filed against Experian Information Solutions Inc.. You can view all complaints against this company on their profile page at /company/experian-information-solutions-inc.
What was the company's response to complaint 13279223?
Experian Information Solutions Inc. responded with "Closed with explanation". The response was marked as timely by the CFPB.
When was complaint 13279223 filed?
Complaint 13279223 was received by the CFPB on April 30, 2025. It was sent to Experian Information Solutions Inc. on April 30, 2025.
What state was complaint 13279223 filed from?
Complaint 13279223 was filed from Maryland. You can view all complaints from this state at /state/MD.
Was the consumer satisfied with the resolution of complaint 13279223?
Dispute information is not available for complaint 13279223.
What product category is complaint 13279223 about?
Complaint 13279223 is categorized under "Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports", specifically "Credit reporting". This is one of the product categories tracked by the CFPB.
How was complaint 13279223 submitted?
Complaint 13279223 was submitted via Web. The CFPB accepts complaints through web, phone, mail, email, fax, and referral channels.
What are the consumer's legal options for complaint 13279223?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use and accuracy of consumer credit reports, prohibiting improper use by reporting companies. This relates to a Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports complaint against Experian Information Solutions Inc. involving "Improper use of your report".
How likely is complaint 13279223 to be resolved?
Resolution likelihood: mixed. The company's current response is "Closed with explanation". The company did respond in a timely manner, which is a positive indicator.
What does the risk level mean for complaint 13279223?
This complaint is rated as medium risk. The improper use of a credit report by a reporting company like Experian can lead to significant privacy violations and potential financial harm to consumers.
What regulatory actions apply to complaint 13279223?
This case highlights the importance of robust internal controls and compliance training for credit reporting agencies to prevent unauthorized or improper report usage. The CFPB tracks complaints like this one to identify patterns of misconduct across the Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports industry.
What should the consumer do about complaint 13279223?
Consumers should regularly review their credit reports for accuracy and report any unauthorized access or use to the credit bureaus and the CFPB.
Are there state-specific protections for complaint 13279223?
In Maryland, as elsewhere, consumers are protected by federal laws like the FCRA, and state-specific consumer protection agencies may also offer recourse. This complaint was filed from Maryland.
How does complaint 13279223 compare to industry norms?
While Experian is a major credit bureau, improper use of reports can occur across the industry, underscoring the need for vigilance from all reporting agencies.
What constitutes 'improper use' of a credit report under the FCRA?
Improper use includes accessing or using a credit report for purposes not permitted by the FCRA, such as for employment decisions without proper disclosure or consent, or for marketing purposes without a permissible purpose.
What does 'Closed with explanation' mean in the context of a CFPB complaint?
This status indicates that the CFPB reviewed the complaint and provided an explanation of the outcome or the company's response, but it does not necessarily mean the consumer's issue was fully resolved to their satisfaction.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated and does not constitute legal advice.