Consumer complaint received 2025-06-14 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: NV

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this formal complaint regarding multiple unauthorized hard inquiries that have been reported on my credit file without my knowledge, consent, or permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). These inquiries have negatively impacted my credit standing, and I believe they were either done in error or without the required legal basis.

According to FCRA Section 604 ( a ) ( 3 ), a hard inquiry can only be made if there is a valid purpose such as a credit application that I personally initiated. I have never applied for credit or authorized these entities to access my credit file on or around the dates shown below. 
Disputed Inquiries : 1. XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Issue : Unauthorized Inquiry Reporting Bureau ( s ) : Experian, TransUnion Violation : Under 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( f ), any person who obtains a consumer report without a permissible purpose is in violation of the FCRA. 
Details : I did not apply for any credit product from XXXX XXXX on or around this date. This hard inquiry was made without my knowledge or consent and has harmed my credit profile. 
2. XXXX XXXX XXXX  XX/XX/XXXX Issue : Duplicate/Unauthorized Inquiry Reporting Bureau ( s ) : Experian Violation : This duplicate inquiry is also in direct violation of FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( f ) and constitutes a willful breach of permissible purpose.

Details : This appears to be a duplicate of the XXXX XXXX inquiry on the same day. There is no record of any separate application made to justify this second pull. 
3. XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Issue : Unauthorized Inquiry Reporting Bureau ( s ) : TransUnion Violation : Per FCRA 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( c ), prescreened or promotional inquiries still require prior consent or legitimate permissible purpose. 
Details : I did not submit any loan application to XXXX or its affiliates. I have no relationship with this lender, and I believe this inquiry was made in error or without authorization. 
Impact : These hard inquiries have lowered my credit score and created a misleading representation of my credit-seeking behavior. It is critical for a credit report to be 100 % accurate as per FCRA Section 602 ( A ).

Requested Resolution : 1. Immediate deletion of the listed inquiries from all credit reporting agencies.

2. Full investigation into how and why these inquiries were made.

3. A written explanation from each party regarding the basis for these inquiries.

4. Prevent future recurrence by ensuring entities can not access my file without proper documentation.

Supporting Laws Cited : 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( a ) Permissible purposes of consumer reports 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( f ) Obtaining reports under false pretenses 15 U.S.C. 1681c Reporting limitations 15 U.S.C. 1681i Procedure in case of disputed accuracy 15 U.S.C. 1681n & 1681o Civil liability for willful and negligent noncompliance Declaration : I affirm that all the above statements are true to the best of my knowledge. I respectfully request your office to investigate and resolve this matter promptly as it is directly affecting my creditworthiness.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation