Consumer complaint received 2024-10-15 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: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX Last 4 digits of SSN : XXXX Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding my recent experience with Experian, which I believe violated my consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). 

On XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I contacted Experians customer service to file a dispute concerning several unauthorized hard inquiries that appeared on my credit report. I never gave consent for these inquiries, and I was unaware of their occurrence until I reviewed my report. These inquiries are negatively affecting my credit score, making it more challenging for me to obtain new credit. 

Despite my legal right to dispute these inquiries, the Experian representative informed me that they could not open a dispute for me. Instead, they claimed that companies are allowed to make inquiries without my consent if they are purposeful. This explanation does not align with my understanding of the law, nor does it change the fact that I never consented to these inquiries. 

I was further told that the only way to have these inquiries removed was to directly contact the companies that made them and request removal. This response is inadequate, as it is the responsibility of the credit reporting agency to ensure that the information provided on my credit report is accurate. Under the FCRA, I am entitled to dispute inaccurate information, and the reporting agency is obligated to investigate and verify its accuracy. In this case, Experian refused to fulfill this obligation. 

Below is a list of the unauthorized inquiries that were posted to my credit report without my consent : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : Multiple inquiries were made by the dealer without my knowledge or consent. I had only authorized an inquiry for XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : Multiple inquiries were made by the dealer without my knowledge or consent. I had only authorized an inquiry for XXXX XXXX XXXX Co. 
XXXX XXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : The dealer made duplicate inquiries for the same company without my knowledge or consent. I had only authorized an inquiry for XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX 
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : The dealer made multiple inquiries on this date without my knowledge or consent. I had only authorized an inquiry for XXXX XXXX XXXX Co. 
NXXXX XXXX XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : The dealer made multiple inquiries without my knowledge or consent. I had only authorized an inquiry for XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : A hard inquiry was conducted despite the banks assurance that only a soft inquiry would be performed for refinancing a car loan. 
XXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : A hard inquiry was conducted without proper disclosure. The company did not specify on its website that a hard inquiry would be made. 
XXXXXXXX XXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : A hard inquiry was conducted by XXXX without proper disclosure. It was represented as a soft inquiry to check for pre-approval. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : A hard inquiry was conducted without my consent while I was applying for secured credit card pre-approval. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : The dealer made multiple inquiries without my knowledge or consent. I had only authorized an inquiry for XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : A hard inquiry was conducted without proper disclosure during a purchase. The store did not inform me that my information would be used for a credit inquiry. 
XXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : A hard inquiry was conducted without proper disclosure during a purchase. The store did not inform me that my information would be used for a credit inquiry. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX ( Date : XX/XX/XXXX ) Note : I have no affiliation with this company and did not apply for any of their products. This inquiry was made without my consent or knowledge. 

I believe this failure to open a dispute has harmed me financially by leaving these unauthorized inquiries on my credit report, which continues to damage my creditworthiness. 

I respectfully request the CFPB to investigate this matter and ensure that my rights under the FCRA are upheld. I would appreciate your assistance in having these unauthorized inquiries investigated and removed from my credit report. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation