Consumer complaint received 2025-11-17 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: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint because WFBNA Auto accessed my credit report without a lawful basis under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ). A hard inquiry from WFBNA Auto appears on my credit file, even though I never applied directly with Wells Fargo Auto, never received any communication from them, and no credit was ever offered, processed, or extended to me by this company. 

There is no open or pending auto loan with WFBNA Auto, and I was never informed that they were evaluating any application involving me. The inquiry therefore appears to have been generated without my authorization and without any legitimate purpose. 

Why this access violates FCRA Under 15 U.S.C. 1681b, a company can not pull a hard inquiry unless the following conditions exist : XXXX. A direct, consumer-initiated application for credit, XXXX. A firm intent by the company to evaluate and extend credit, XXXX. A review of an existing credit account, or XXXX. Written authorization from the consumer. 

None of these events occurred with WFBNA Auto. 

I did not apply with WFBNA Auto. 

They never offered financing or issued a credit decision. 

They are not servicing any account associated with me. 

I did not sign any authorization giving WFBNA Auto permission to access my credit. 

A dealerships electronic submission does NOT automatically create permissible purpose for every financial institution on the receiving end. 
Permissible purpose must be tied to the specific company that pulled the report. 

WFBNA Auto did not have that authority. 


Specific FCRA Provisions Implicated WFBNA Autos credit pull may constitute violations of : 1681b ( f ) prohibition on obtaining consumer reports without a valid purpose 1681e ( a ) failure to maintain procedures preventing unauthorized access 1681n willful violation ( subject to statutory and punitive damages ) 1681o negligent violation ( subject to actual damages ) Because WFBNA Auto did not establish or attempt to establish a credit relationship, the inquiry can not be categorized as compliant. 


Damages Available Under Federal Law If pursued, an unauthorized inquiry can trigger : Statutory damages of {$100.00} {$1000.00} per violation Actual damages for score impact, credit denials, or financial loss Punitive damages for reckless or willful conduct Legal fees and costs I am not pursuing damages at this time, but I am documenting the harm. 


Requested Resolution I am requesting that : XXXX XXXX  WFBNA Auto remove the hard inquiry from my credit profile Remove it WITH PREJUDICE Provide written verification of the correction XXXX XXXX  This resolves the issue without further regulatory or legal involvement. 

If WFBNA Auto refuses to correct this, I am prepared to escalate the matter to additional regulators and pursue all rights available to me under the FCRA.

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