Consumer complaint received 2023-08-30
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: SC
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

Complaint:
ATTN : Cfpb Equifax & XXXX Unauthorized Inquiries letter XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Sc XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX, Iowa XXXX Attn : Consumer Complaint Division Subject : Formal Complaint against XXXX for Unauthorized Credit Inquiries Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to file a formal complaint against Equifax Information Services LLC, XXXX XXXX, and XXXX, the three major credit reporting agencies, regarding unauthorized credit inquiries listed on my credit reports. These inquiries were conducted without a permissible purpose, thus violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and adversely affecting my creditworthiness. 

The unauthorized credit inquiries in question are as follows : Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, TX XXXX | ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, MI XXXX | ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX OH XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, AZ XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, NV XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, SC XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXX of XXXX : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, TX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, MI XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry XXXX XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, TX XXXX | ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX | XXXX XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, SC XXXX | ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX | ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX SC XXXX | ( XXXX ) XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX | ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, NV XXXX | ( XXXX XXXX XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, IA XXXX | ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry : XXXX XXXX XXXXDate of Inquiry : XXXX Contact : XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, NC XXXX | ( XXXX ) XXXX I have taken the necessary steps to address this issue directly with the credit reporting agencies by sending a pre-litigation dispute letter, which is attached for your reference. However, as my concerns remain unresolved, I am turning to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for assistance and intervention in rectifying this matter. 

As you are aware, the FCRA, under section 604 ( a ) ( 3 ) ( C ), mandates that a permissible purpose is required for a credit inquiry to appear on a consumer 's credit report. Permissible purposes include, but are not limited to, credit transactions initiated by the consumer, employment purposes, and with written consent of the consumer. I can affirmatively state that I did not initiate these inquiries, nor did I provide my written consent for any of them. 

These unauthorized credit inquiries have had a detrimental impact on my credit score and creditworthiness, hindering my ability to secure credit, employment, and housing opportunities. I am left with no choice but to seek the assistance of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to ensure that my rights under the FCRA are upheld. 

I kindly request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigate this matter thoroughly and take appropriate action against Equifax, XXXX, and XXXX for their willful noncompliance with the FCRA. I ask for your assistance in ensuring that these unauthorized inquiries are promptly removed from my credit reports, as well as any other necessary actions to rectify this situation. 

I am willing to provide any additional information or documentation that may aid in your investigation of this complaint. Please keep me informed of the progress and outcome of your investigation. Your intervention in this matter is crucial to protecting consumers ' rights and upholding the integrity of credit reporting agencies. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to a swift resolution. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX SSn:XXXX  Copy of the pre-litigation dispute letter sent XXXX & Equifax

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation