Consumer complaint received 2025-08-13 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: NY

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX, NY XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX Email : XXXX SSN ( Last XXXX ) : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX To : XXXX Subject XXXX Formal Dispute Fraudulent & Unauthorized Hard Inquiries ( Identity Theft ) Whom It May Concern, This letter serves as my formal dispute of the fraudulent hard inquiries listed below. I have never authorized, initiated, or consented to these credit pulls. I am a victim of identity theft and have attached my FTC Identity Theft Report in accordance with FCRA 605B ( 15 U.S.C. 1681c-2 ).

Pursuant to 605B, upon receiving my identity theft report, proof of identity, and request for removal, you are required to block and delete this fraudulent information from my file within XXXX business days. 

Furthermore, under FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 8 ), disputes submitted through CFPB.gov must be treated the same as direct disputes. 

FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 8 ) ( D ) A consumer reporting agency, upon receiving a notice of dispute from a consumer through the Bureau, shall comply with the applicable provisions of section 611, as if the notice came directly from the consumer.

Disputed Inquiries ( examples condensed full list attached in Exhibit A ) : TransUnion XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXXXXXX 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 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Equifax XXXX XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Experian XXXX XXXX XX/XX/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 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 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX Legal Basis & Guidance Supporting Removal : FCRA 604 ( a ) A hard inquiry must be supported by a permissible purpose. None exists here.

FCRA 605B Fraudulent information must be blocked within XXXX business days of receiving an identity theft report. 

FCRA 611 ( a ) You must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and delete inaccurate information within XXXX  days. 

FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 8 ) ( D ) CFPB.gov disputes are treated as direct disputes. 

FTC Guidance ( 2001 ) A credit bureau may not include inquiries unless there is a permissible purpose.

CFPB Bulletin 2013-09 Furnishers and CRAs must ensure accuracy and perform reasonable investigations. 

Case Law in Favor of Consumers : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) Credit report access without permissible purpose violates FCRA. 

XXXX & XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX. XXXX ) Unauthorized inquiries are actionable. 

XXXX v. XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ) Failure to maintain reasonable procedures to avoid improper access violates FCRA. 

Requests & Deadlines : Immediate removal of all listed inquiries per 605B within XXXX business days. 

If any inquiry is verified, provide a Method of Verification under 1681i ( a ) ( 6 ) ( B ) ( iii ) within XXXX days of verification, including : The specific permissible purpose claimed Name & contact of entity requesting my credit file Documentary evidence showing my authorization Full compliance with the XXXX reinvestigation period under 611 ( a ). 

Preservation of Rights : This dispute does not waive any legal rights under federal or state law. I will pursue statutory damages under FCRA 616 and 617, actual damages, attorneys fees, and other relief if violations continue. 

Enclosures : Copy of government-issued ID Proof of current address FTC Identity Theft Report Complete list of disputed inquiries with bureau notation Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation