Consumer complaint received 2024-10-25
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: TRANSUNION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, INC. (MI)

On XX/XX/year>, I reviewed my TransUnion credit report and found multiple unauthorized inquiries from companies with which I have no business relationship and for which I did not provide consent. The unauthorized inquiries are as follows : XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/year> XXXX XXXX XXXX  on XX/XX/year> XXXX on XX/XX/year> XXXX XXXX XXXX  on XX/XX/year> XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/year> XXXX on XX/XX/year> XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/year> XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/year> I did not authorize these companies to access my credit report, nor have I initiated any business, credit, or loan applications with them. These inquiries were made without a permissible purpose, a direct violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681b of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), which restricts access to credit reports to specific instances where consent or a legitimate business need is established. 

I submitted a formal dispute to TransUnion, requesting an investigation and removal of these inquiries. XXXX response was inadequate and legally noncompliant. Instead of investigating the legitimacy of these inquiries, as required by 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ), TransUnion replied that the inquiries would remain on my report for two years and suggested I contact the companies involved directly. This response does not satisfy their legal obligation to conduct a meaningful investigation of my dispute. 

Furthermore, TransUnion did not take steps to verify the permissible purpose of each inquiry. Under 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ), TransUnion is required to delete or correct any information found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable. By failing to remove these unauthorized inquiries or verify their legitimacy, TransUnion is in violation of this provision. Simply referring me to the companies involved is insufficient and fails to fulfill their responsibility under the FCRA. 

Additionally, TransUnion did not provide an adequate explanation of the investigations outcome or evidence supporting the validity of the inquiries. This lack of transparency constitutes a violation of 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ), which mandates that credit reporting agencies must notify consumers of the results of the investigation and include the reasoning behind any decisions to retain the disputed items.

In summary, TransUnion is in violation of several provisions of the FCRA, specifically : 15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) : Failure to conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of disputed information.

15 U.S. Code 1681b : Permitting inquiries without confirming a permissible purpose.

15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 5 ) : Failing to delete or correct inaccurate or unverifiable inquiries.

15 U.S. Code 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) : Failing to adequately inform me of the investigation results or provide supporting documentation for the disputed inquiries. 

Given the numerous FCRA violations and TransUnions neglect of their legal obligations, I am filing this complaint with the CFPB to seek assistance in enforcing my rights. I request that the CFPB investigate this matter and take appropriate action to hold TransUnion accountable for failing to fulfill its responsibilities under the FCRA. This is crucial to ensure that unauthorized inquiries are removed from my report and that my rights as a consumer are protected.