Consumer complaint received 2024-10-18
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
Company: EQUIFAX, INC. (FL)

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX FL XXXX XXXX To : Equifax Disputes XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, PA XXXX Subject XXXX Immediate Removal of Unauthorized Inquiries from My Credit Report To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to demand the immediate removal of several unauthorized hard inquiries from my credit files with Equifax and XXXX. These inquiries were made without my knowledge or authorization, and as such, they are a violation of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), particularly under 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( Permissible Purposes of Consumer Reports ). Furthermore, these inquiries are adversely affecting my credit score, and their removal is required.

Attached is an FTC Identity Theft Report, Along with my which substantiates that these inquiries were unauthorized. You are legally required to remove any inaccurate or unauthorized information from my credit report in accordance with the FCRA.

The following inquiries must be removed immediately from my credit report : XXXX and Equifax XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Relevant Laws : XXXX. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) - 15 U.S. Code 1681b : This section of the FCRA specifies that a consumer report can only be accessed with the consumers consent or for specific permissible purposes, such as a credit application initiated by the consumer. The hard inquiries in question do not meet these conditions, and as such, they must be removed. 
XXXX. 15 U.S. Code 1681i - Dispute Process : This section obligates credit reporting agencies to investigate disputes regarding inaccurate or incomplete information. Upon receipt of this letter and the supporting FTC Identity Theft Report, you are required to investigate and correct or delete these unauthorized inquiries. 
XXXX. 15 U.S. Code 1681c-2 - Block of Information Resulting from Identity Theft : This section permits consumers to request the blocking of information, including unauthorized inquiries, resulting from identity theft. The enclosed FTC report constitutes proof that the inquiries were unauthorized, and you are obligated to block and remove them from my file. 

Case Law Supporting Removal of Inquiries : 1. Dalton v. Capital Associated Industries Inc., 257 F.3d 409 ( 4th Cir. 2001 ) : This case established that credit reporting agencies are required to reinvestigate and correct inaccurate information when presented with evidence. Failure to do so opens them to liability under the FCRA. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) : This case reinforced the responsibility of credit reporting agencies to ensure that the information in consumer reports is accurate. It further demonstrated that non-compliance could result in legal consequences. 

Immediate Action Required : XXXX. Remove all Unauthorized Inquiries : I expect all the listed unauthorized inquiries to be permanently removed from my credit reports within 30 days of receiving this letter. 
XXXX. Provide Written Confirmation : Please provide a written confirmation that the inquiries have been removed as soon as possible. 
XXXX. Prevent Further Reporting : Ensure that these entities do not continue reporting these unauthorized inquiries, and take action to prevent any further unauthorized access to my credit report. 

Failure to comply with this request within the required time frame will leave me no choice but to escalate this matter, including filing additional complaints with the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), and considering all available legal remedies, including a lawsuit for damages under the FCRA. 

I trust that you will act promptly to resolve this issue. I look forward to receiving confirmation of the removal of these unauthorized inquiries. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX