Consumer complaint received 2025-09-05 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — I do not know
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company: Exeter Finance, LLC.
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this formal complaint against Exeter Finance LLC, also appearing as Exeter Finance XXXX, for placing multiple unauthorized and unlawful hard inquiries on my credit reports. These inquiries were made without my authorization, without any permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and they represent reckless, negligent, and willful disregard for my federally protected consumer rights. 

The specific Exeter Finance inquiries are as follows : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I never applied for credit with Exeter Finance on these dates. I never gave Exeter Finance my express written consent to access my credit file, nor did I establish any transaction, relationship, or business purpose that would justify such activity. These inquiries are, therefore, unauthorized intrusions into my financial privacy. 

The clustered pattern of repeated pulls across both XXXX XXXX XXXX shows systemic misconduct. Multiple inquiries, occurring weeks apart, indicate an intentional disregard for compliance rather than an accidental error. Exeter Finances actions amount to reckless shotgunning of credit reports and a direct violation of the FCRA.

Legal Framework and Violations 1. FCRA 1681b ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ) Prohibits the furnishing of consumer reports unless for a clearly defined permissible purpose. Exeter Finance did not have my authorization or a lawful purpose to pull my credit file. Each inquiry represents a separate violation. 
2. FCRA 1681e ( a ) Requires reasonable procedures to prevent unauthorized access to consumer reports. By initiating multiple unlawful inquiries, Exeter Finance demonstrated a lack of compliance controls and procedures.

3. FCRA 1681e ( b ) Mandates that consumer reporting agencies ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) ensure maximum possible accuracy. By publishing inquiries that are unauthorized, unverifiable, and misleading, the credit bureaus are complicit in Exeter Finances violations.

4. FCRA 1681n ( Willful Noncompliance ) Exeter Finances repeated actions amount to willful disregard for consumer rights, making them liable for statutory damages of up to {$1000.00} per violation, punitive damages, actual damages, and attorneys fees. 
5. FCRA 1681o ( Negligent Noncompliance ) At a minimum, Exeter Finance is guilty of negligent noncompliance, making them liable for actual damages and recovery of my legal costs.

6. FDCPA 1692c & 1692g To the extent Exeter Finance or its affiliates act as a collector, these unauthorized actions also implicate debt collection violations regarding communication and proper validation. 



Why This Is Harmful Each unlawful inquiry negatively impacts my credit score, creates the appearance that I am desperately seeking new credit, and damages my financial reputation. These false signals make me appear riskier to future lenders, raising my cost of borrowing and reducing my opportunities for fair credit access.

The fact that Exeter Finance repeatedly pulled my reports across multiple bureaus within weeks of each other demonstrates a pattern of systemic abuse. This is not an isolated error this is a repeated violation of federal law.

The damage is twofold : ( 1 ) my credit score and profile have been unfairly harmed, and ( 2 ) XXXX XXXX XXXX by continuing to publish these unlawful inquiries, are violating FCRA 1681e ( b ) and failing to protect consumers.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation