Consumer complaint received 2025-04-20 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: IL

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/XXXX Equifax : Equifax Information Services, LLC XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, GA XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, PA XXXX To Whom It May Concern : I am writing to formally dispute inaccuracies on my credit report regarding multiple hard credit inquiries recorded over the past two years. In early XX/XX/XXXX, I authorized the dealership ( XXXX XXXX ) I was working with to submit a single credit application with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. However, instead of processing one complete application, the dealership first submitted an incomplete application that triggered six additional inquiries to varying lenders, which then conveniently gave 7 total rejections not because of credit worthiness but because of incomplete information. They then submitted a complete application to XXXXresulting in a finalized inquiry at a much higher interest ratewhich is their preferred lender .. so how convenient for them. 

That day, they made me come back twice to unlock my credit report noting XXXX XXXX could not access it. I was unaware until 6 weeks later, I had EIGHT ( 8 ) Hard Inquiries.

To add insult to injury, they fumbled the deal horribly and I wasnt able to pick up the car, which was in stock until XXXX instead of the original delivery date of XX/XX/XXXX. 

Further, there was an issue between the two companies resulting in my credit report reflecting two open vehicles during a time I then had neither to the tune of over $ XXXX, which I had to file a complaint about. 

I would also like to bring to your attention that this practice is not isolated to my situation. Auto dealerships have notoriously engaged in repeatedly submitting credit inquiries. Historically, during the rate-shopping process, dealerships would sometimes initiate up to 20 inquiries at once. However, following updated credit scoring guidelines and industry standards introduced around XXXX, multiple inquiries for a single auto loan rate-shopping event are meant to be aggregated and counted as only one inquiry. The additional inquiries now appearing on my file are both unauthorized and inconsistent with the current accepted practice, leading to an undue negative impact on my credit score. 
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, I respectfully request that you : 1. Investigate the legitimacy of each credit inquiry recorded on my accountparticularly those that resulted from the dealerships repeated submissions.

2. Correct the record by removing any inquiries that were not specifically authorized by me or that have resulted solely from the dealerships outdated and improper practices.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Please confirm in writing once your investigation is complete and any necessary corrections have been made to my credit report. Should you need any additional information, I remain available to provide further details.

Thank you for your assistance in ensuring that my credit file accurately reflects only those inquiries for which I have provided explicit authorization. 
Sincerely, XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, IL XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation