Consumer complaint received 2025-02-15 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: EQUIFAX, INC.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Equifax Information Services LLC XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, GA XXXX Subject : Unauthorized Inquiry Dispute Violation of Federal Laws To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally dispute an unauthorized inquiry that appears on my credit report. After carefully reviewing my report, I found an inquiry that I did not authorize, which constitutes a direct violation of multiple federal laws that protect consumers from unauthorized access to their credit and personal information.

Violations of Federal Law : 15 U.S. Code 1681b The Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) strictly limits access to consumer reports and mandates that credit inquiries must have a permissible purpose and the consumers explicit consent. This inquiry does not meet these requirements.

15 U.S. Code 1681e ( b ) Credit reporting agencies are required to maintain maximum possible accuracy in consumer credit reports. The presence of an unauthorized inquiry reflects non-compliance with this provision.

15 U.S. Code 1681a ( d ) ( 2 ) Transactions that do not involve a legitimate credit relationship should be excluded from credit reports. This unauthorized inquiry violates this requirement.

15 U.S. Code 6801 This law mandates financial institutions and credit reporting agencies to protect consumers ' personal information. Allowing an unauthorized inquiry into my report demonstrates a failure to uphold this obligation.

15 U.S. Code 6802 Entities that collect consumer financial data have a legal duty to obtain consent before sharing personal information. This unauthorized inquiry suggests that my personal data has been misused.

15 U.S. Code 6803 Companies must disclose their privacy policies and inform consumers how their data is being used. The presence of an unauthorized inquiry suggests a failure in this disclosure.

18 U.S. Code 1028A If this unauthorized inquiry was conducted using false information or fraudulently obtained details, it may constitute aggravated identity theft, which carries serious criminal penalties.

Requested Actions : Immediate removal of the unauthorized inquiry from my credit report.

Provide proof of my written authorization for the inquiry in question.

Disclose the name and contact information of the entity responsible for this inquiry.

Provide written confirmation that this unauthorized inquiry has been removed from my credit report.

Legal Consequences for Non-Compliance : Failure to remove this unauthorized inquiry or to provide sufficient proof of my consent within 30 days will be considered non-compliance with federal law. In such a case, I will explore legal action against Equifax and the entity responsible for the inquiry under 15 U.S.C. 1681n & 1681o, which provide for damages in cases of willful or negligent violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

I take the protection of my credit and personal information very seriously, and I expect this matter to be resolved immediately. Please send all correspondence regarding this dispute to my mailing address listed above. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Attachments : Copy of my photo ID Proof of current address

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation