Consumer complaint received 2025-07-10 00:00:00
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.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
On XXXX XXXX, a hard inquiry appeared on my credit report from XXXX XXXX XXXX. I did not apply for any credit or authorize any inquiry with this company. 

This inquiry was unsolicited and unauthorized, and I consider it a violation of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : FCRA 604 ( a ) ( 3 ) [ 15 U.S. Code 1681b ] : Permissible purposes of credit reports. A creditor may only access my credit report with my express permission or in connection with a credit transaction initiated by me.

FCRA 604 ( f ) [ 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( f ) ] : A person shall not use or obtain a consumer report without a permissible purpose. 

Because I did not initiate any transaction, give consent, or have any existing relationship with On XX/XX/year>, a hard inquiry appeared on my credit reports from XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I did not apply for any credit or authorize any inquiry with this company. 

This inquiry was unsolicited and unauthorized, and I consider it a violation of my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : FCRA 604 ( a ) ( 3 ) [ 15 U.S. Code 1681b ] : Permissible purposes of credit reports. A creditor may only access my credit report with my express permission or in connection with a credit transaction initiated by me.

FCRA 604 ( f ) [ 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( f ) ] : A person shall not use or obtain a consumer report without a permissible purpose. 

Because I did not initiate any transaction, give consent, or have any existing relationship with XXXX, this inquiry was made without a permissible purpose and is not legally valid. 

I have already disputed this with the credit bureaus, and I am now escalating this issue to the CFPB. I request the following : 1. Immediate removal of the unauthorized inquiry from all credit bureaus ( XXXX, Equifax, XXXX ), 2. An investigation into XXXX practices regarding unauthorized inquiries, XXXX. Any documentation or evidence XXXX  has showing I authorized or initiated this credit inquiry ( which does not exist, as I never applied ). 

This unauthorized access is causing harm to my credit profile and is a direct violation of my consumer rights under FCRA. 

Please investigate and assist in getting this issue resolved and the inquiry permanently removed. This inquiry was made without a permissible purpose and is not legally valid. 

I have already disputed this with the credit bureaus, and I am now escalating this issue to the CFPB. I request the following : 1. Immediate removal of the unauthorized inquiry from all credit bureaus ( Equifax ).

2. An investigation into XXXX XXXX XXXX practices regarding unauthorized inquiries, XXXX. Any documentation or evidence XXXX XXXX XXXX has showing I authorized or initiated this credit inquiry ( which does not exist, as I never applied ). 

This unauthorized access is causing harm to my credit profile and is a direct violation of my consumer rights under FCRA. 

Please investigate and assist in getting this issue resolved and the inquiry permanently removed.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation