Consumer complaint received 2025-12-08 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: ND

Complaint narrative:
Re : Complaint Regarding Unauthorized Credit Inquiry and Suspected Social Security Number Compromise ( Equifax Report ) Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting this complaint to report an unauthorized credit inquiry that appears on my Equifax credit report and to raise concerns regarding the possible compromise and unlawful use of my Social Security number or identifying information to obtain that inquiry. 

On XX/XX/year>, after personally accessing my Equifax credit report with my own legal consent, I discovered a soft inquiry listed under the Inquiries section associated with the following entity : XXXX XXXX Assistance XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX Inquiry Type : Soft Inquiry Inquiry Date : XX/XX/year> I did not authorize this entity to access my credit report. I did not initiate any transaction, application, consumer assistance request, dispute, or service engagement with this company. I have no contractual, financial, or legal relationship with this entity. 

Importantly, access to a consumer credit report whether classified as a soft or hard inquiry requires the use of sensitive personally identifiable information, including but not limited to a consumers Social Security number or equivalent identifying credentials. Because I did not provide such information or consent, I have serious concerns that my identifying information XXXX have been misused or compromised to facilitate this inquiry. 

Further, I am not domiciled in Texas, nor have I engaged in any activity that would reasonably require a XXXX consumer assistance organization to access my Equifax credit XXXX. 

Legal Basis for Complaint Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), including XXXX XXXX. XXXX, consumer reporting agencies XXXX furnish a consumer report only for clearly defined permissible purposes. Any party obtaining a consumer report without authorization or under false pretenses violates federal law. 
The appearance of this inquiry raises concerns regarding : Unauthorized access to my consumer report Potential misuse or compromise of my Social Security number or personal identifying information Improper assertion or misrepresentation of a permissible purpose Failure of adequate access controls or verification safeguards Requested Action I respectfully request that the CFPB : XXXX. Require XXXX XXXX Assistance XXXX to identify, in writing, the precise permissible purpose and authorization relied upon to access my Equifax credit report. 
XXXX. XXXX Equifax to conduct a reinvestigation verifying the legitimacy of this inquiry and the authorization used. 
XXXX. Direct removal of the inquiry if valid authorization can not be demonstrated. 
XXXX. Assess whether my identifying information, including my Social Security number, was improperly accessed or used. 
XXXX. Ensure corrective and preventative measures are implemented to prevent recurrence. 
XXXX. Provide written confirmation of the findings and resolution. 

Exhibits Exhibit A : Equifax Credit Report XXXX XXXX ( showing unauthorized XXXX XXXX Assistance XXXX soft inquiry dated XX/XX/year> ). 
I certify that the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and that I am prepared to furnish additional documentation if requested. 
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your role in protecting consumer credit rights. 

Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation