Consumer complaint received 2019-06-29
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MN
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: Difficulty submitting a dispute or getting information about a dispute over the phone

Complaint:
The nightmare began on Monday, XX/XX/2019. A person or persons got ahold of personal information of mine and applied for a series of lines of credit from various lenders. By the end of the week, I had hard inquiries attached to my credit report with all three credit bureaus from lenders including XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and XXXX. 

The first thing I did was contact all of the above listed lenders to inform them I did not apply for these lines of credit. After confirming I did not request credit, I asked all of the above companies to please send communication to all three credit bureaus to inform them I did not apply for credit and to have the inquiries removed. XXXX XXXX and XXXX stated they would do so, while the others informed me I would need to dispute the inquiries myself with the credit bureaus. My first call to all three credit bureaus took place on XX/XX/2019. XXXX  and XXXX both were able to assist me with the dispute process. The results from my disputes with them were that they removed the fraudulent inquiries. My experience with Equifax, however, was far from satisfactory. 

After placing my disputes during the week of XX/XX/XXXX, I decided to check my credit report again today, XX/XX/2019. To my surprise, the hard inquiry from XXXX   XXXX on XX/XX/2019, the hard inquiry from XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2019, and then AGAIN on XX/XX/2019, were all still on my Equifax report. I contacted Equifax at XXXX Central time. After confirming my identity and explaining the situation with the first agent I spoke with, she informed me they would not be able to file a dispute with hard inquiries and advised me to contact the lender. I informed the agent that I had already contacted the lenders and they advised me specifically they could not do anything to help me get the inquiry removed. I even asked the lenders to contact the credit bureaus to inform them I did not initiate the inquiries. The lenders specifically stated that I needed to contact the credit bureaus and when I dispute the items, the bureaus would investigate - following the results of that investigation, the inquiries would be removed if it was found I didn't apply for the line of credit. In fact, the information I've read on XXXX XXXX and other websites states the credit reporting agencies are required to investigate any dispute and correct items if they are incorrect. The agent I was speaking with told me the policy was hard and fast and there was nothing she could do. I then asked to speak to her supervisor who, in a nutshell, shared the same information with me. I then asked to speak to his supervisor - his response was that the supervisor wouldn't be able to do anything other than tell me what the first 2 individuals have told me. Regardless, I insisted I speak to someone higher up the chain. By the 3rd supervisor, I had not made it any further. This one was slightly more nice, but essentially told me I needed to get a police report or go to the lender - his reasoning was that if the lender pulled the report, the lender should request to have it ( the inquiry ) removed. 

At this point, I don't know what else to do. It took 5 minutes for some thief so attempt to secure credit in my name, but it's taking time and unnecessary work on my end to clean up something I didn't cause. I have done my part - I placed fraud alerts on my credit files, changed account passwords, called all lenders and had them shut down any applications for credit, and I have contacted the credit reporting agencies to have this taken care of. This is ludicrous. Why does the criminal get such easy access to altering someone's credit report through fraudulent application of credit, while the victim must put their life on hold to clean up the mess? Equifax, as well as the other Credit Reporting Agencies, must do a better job of assisting victims of fraud and identity theft without requiring consumers to pay {$25.00} a month for some service. 

I have certainly had my share of poor credit management in my past, but that was long ago. I am a responsible member of the consumer community and pay my bills on time every month. I pay the full balance on all my credit cards each month. My student loans are the only balance I carry month-to-month. I am also trying to buy a home - having multiple inquiries start posting to my credit report is not helping me toward that goal. Either the Credit Reporting Agencies need to find a better way to help consumers, or don't tie credit inquiries to credit scoring. 

Please help - I can't be the only one this has happened to?? 

Desperately Needing Your Help, XXXX XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation