Consumer complaint received 2018-08-27
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: OH
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Sub-issue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report

Complaint:
my original complaint! : I went into XXXX car dealership in XXXX Ohio to look at two vehicles. They were {$15000.00} vehicles. When I walked in my salesperson was not available like he was supposed to be, and the cars that I had an appointment to see were already sold. I explained over and over and over that the {$15000.00} was my budget and I wanted to stick to it. After being given the runaround for an hour I was told that XXXX dealership could do a SOFT PULL on my credit to see what kind of numbers they could work with. I very specifically explained that I have been through a bankruptcy recently that was discharged about a year ago and my credit is damaged and I'm working very hard to improve it so they only have permission to run my credit two times through XXXX XXXX and XXXX dealership. After the salesman and finance man sat in the office for almost another hour, they came back with a crazy payment. I said there's no possible way that would be a payment on a {$15000.00} car. I said how much did you estimate the sales price to be? They refused to tell me and they said not much more than the XXXX. After they told me I was denied by everyone I left. The next day I was informed on XXXX XXXX that the credit bureaus are now reporting between 7 and 14 HARD INQUIRIES depending on the credit Bureau from dealerships I have never heard of, lenders I have never heard of, and for a {$30000.00} loan!!!!!!! I sent both the manager as well as a representative who contacted me my complaint, frustration, and nobody will respond to me. I gave them explicit direction to not run my credit more than two times as I had this very detailed conversation with my sales person who also informed me that he went through a bankruptcy in XX/XX/2008 and knew exactly where I was coming from and he guaranteed it would not be ran more than two times. My credit score just plummeted even further because of their neglect and wrongdoing! I did not give them permission to run my credit through all of those lenders and dealerships. Especially through ones that I know I can't get a loan through to begin with because of my bankruptcy. I never would have given anyone permission to run my credit through a bank where I know I can't get a loan in the first place, let alone for an amount twice my budget! 

The response I received from the credit bureaus was that they have to be on my account because they are factual inquiries when that is absolutely false! And if this does not get fixed I will absolutely resort to taking legal action!! These were not legitimate or factual inquiries. Nobody had permission to make those inquiries which makes it fraud and illegitimate. XXXX they need to be removed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. I understand how a lender works but they do not have the right to run my credit as many as 14 times without my permission! I have also been in contact at the dealership who apologized for the mistake. So the inquiries need to be removed. Bottom line, nobody have permission to run my credit through any of those Banks let alone 14 of them.. I did not make those inquiries and I did not give permission for those inquiries to be made through any of those lenders. So they are to be removed

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation