Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports -- Improper use of your report -- Complaint #19874001
Unrecognized Credit Inquiries Raise Concerns with Equifax
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 19874001
Company: Equifax, INC.
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports
Sub-Product: Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report
Sub-Issue: Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
State: Illinois
ZIP Code: 60193
Date Received: 2026-02-28T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2026-02-28T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: In progress
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: medium
The presence of unrecognized credit inquiries can negatively impact a consumer's credit score and may indicate potential identity theft or unauthorized access to their credit information.
Consumer Sentiment: neutral
Topics: Credit reporting, Credit inquiries, Identity theft
AI Analysis
CFPB complaint 19874001 was filed against EQUIFAX, INC. regarding Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports (Credit reporting), specifically about "Improper use of your report". A consumer filed a complaint regarding unrecognized credit inquiries on their Equifax credit report, which is currently being reviewed. The complaint was received on February 28, 2026 from Illinois. The company responded with "In progress".
What You Should Do -- Consumer Action Plan
Consumers should regularly monitor their credit reports for any unfamiliar inquiries and dispute them immediately with the credit reporting agency.
Legal Context & Consumer Protection Laws
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants consumers the right to access their credit reports and dispute inaccurate information, including unauthorized inquiries.
Regulatory Insight
Credit bureaus have a responsibility to investigate disputes regarding credit report accuracy, including the legitimacy of credit inquiries.
Resolution Likelihood
mixed
State-Specific Consumer Protections
Illinois residents are protected by state and federal laws regarding credit reporting and consumer privacy.
Industry Comparison
This issue is common among major credit bureaus, as consumers frequently encounter unrecognized inquiries on their reports.
Related Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CFPB complaint 19874001 about?
CFPB complaint 19874001 involves Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports (Credit reporting). The consumer reported an issue with "Improper use of your report", specifically "Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize". This complaint was filed against EQUIFAX, INC. on February 28, 2026.
Which company is complaint 19874001 filed against?
Complaint 19874001 was filed against EQUIFAX, INC.. You can view all complaints against this company on their profile page at /company/equifax-inc.
What was the company's response to complaint 19874001?
EQUIFAX, INC. responded with "In progress". The response was marked as timely by the CFPB.
When was complaint 19874001 filed?
Complaint 19874001 was received by the CFPB on February 28, 2026. It was sent to EQUIFAX, INC. on February 28, 2026.
What state was complaint 19874001 filed from?
Complaint 19874001 was filed from Illinois. You can view all complaints from this state at /state/IL.
Was the consumer satisfied with the resolution of complaint 19874001?
Dispute information is not available for complaint 19874001.
What product category is complaint 19874001 about?
Complaint 19874001 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 19874001 submitted?
Complaint 19874001 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 19874001?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants consumers the right to access their credit reports and dispute inaccurate information, including unauthorized inquiries. This relates to a Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports complaint against EQUIFAX, INC. involving "Improper use of your report".
How likely is complaint 19874001 to be resolved?
Resolution likelihood: mixed. The company's current response is "In progress". The company did respond in a timely manner, which is a positive indicator.
What does the risk level mean for complaint 19874001?
This complaint is rated as medium risk. The presence of unrecognized credit inquiries can negatively impact a consumer's credit score and may indicate potential identity theft or unauthorized access to their credit information.
What regulatory actions apply to complaint 19874001?
Credit bureaus have a responsibility to investigate disputes regarding credit report accuracy, including the legitimacy of credit inquiries. 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 19874001?
Consumers should regularly monitor their credit reports for any unfamiliar inquiries and dispute them immediately with the credit reporting agency.
Are there state-specific protections for complaint 19874001?
Illinois residents are protected by state and federal laws regarding credit reporting and consumer privacy. This complaint was filed from Illinois.
How does complaint 19874001 compare to industry norms?
This issue is common among major credit bureaus, as consumers frequently encounter unrecognized inquiries on their reports.
What steps should a consumer take if they find unrecognized credit inquiries on their report?
The consumer should immediately contact the credit reporting agency (Equifax in this case) to dispute the inquiries and provide any relevant information. They should also consider placing a fraud alert on their credit file.
How can unrecognized credit inquiries affect a consumer's credit score?
Each credit inquiry can slightly lower a consumer's credit score. Multiple unrecognized inquiries could indicate fraudulent activity and may lead to a more significant score drop if not addressed.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated and does not constitute legal advice.