Consumer complaint received 2025-02-23 00:00:00
Product: Credit reporting or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Improper use of your report — Reporting company used your report improperly
Company: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: MA

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern : I am writing to formally demand the immediate deletion of multiple unauthorized inquiries made to my credit report, which are being reported inaccurately by your agencies. Upon reviewing my credit reports, I have identified several unauthorized inquiries that have been placed on my file without my permission, in direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and other applicable laws. 

Inquiries to be Removed : XXXX XXXX via XXXX XXXX ( Requested on XX/XX/XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Requested on XX/XX/XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Requested on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ) SENSIBLE AUTO LENDING LLC ( Requested on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ) XXXX XXXX ( Requested on XX/XX/XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Requested on XX/XX/XXXX ) I have not initiated any credit transactions with these companies, nor have I provided authorization for any of these inquiries to be made. These actions are in direct violation of 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( a ) ( 3 ) ( F ) ( i ) of the FCRA, which prohibits credit inquiries without permissible purpose. In accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1681b, consumer reports can only be accessed for specific purposes, and I have not consented to these inquiries for any lawful reason.

Further, by failing to comply with these requirements, these inquiries have caused tangible harm to my credit score and financial reputation. As stated in Chester v. Purvis, 260 F. Supp. 2d 711 ( S.D. Ind. 2003 ), when unauthorized inquiries are placed on a consumer report, it constitutes an unlawful action under the FCRA. These inquiries should be deleted immediately to avoid further damage to my credit profile.

The legal framework is clear : Under 15 U.S.C. 1681b, a consumer 's credit report may only be accessed by a party with a permissible purpose, and no such purpose existed for these inquiries.

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1028A, unauthorized access to personal information constitutes aggravated identity theft, punishable by law.

Any party found violating the FCRA can be held criminally liable and subject to fines or imprisonment. Furthermore, 15 U.S.C. 1681n ( a ) provides for civil penalties and damages for willful violations.

As a result of your failure to follow the law, I am demanding the immediate removal of these unauthorized inquiries from my credit reports
with Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Additionally, I expect a formal response indicating that these inquiries have been permanently deleted.

If I do not receive confirmation that these inquiries have been removed within 30 days, I will not hesitate to pursue further action, including but not limited to filing complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ), initiating legal action, and seeking the civil penalties available under the FCRA for your unlawful conduct.

I request that you confirm the removal of these inquiries in writing as required by 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ), or I will be forced to take further action to protect my rights.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX Social Security Number : XXXX Date of Birth : XX/XX/XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation