Consumer complaint received 2025-08-21 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: OH

Complaint narrative:
Consumer : XXXX XXXX XXXX Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, OH XXXX DOB : XX/XX/XXXX SSN ( Last XXXX ) : XXXX Email : XXXX Phone : XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX To : TransUnion, LLC XXXX. XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Equifax Information Services, LLC XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Experian Information Solutions , Inc. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Subject : Formal Demand for Deletion of Unauthorized Hard Inquiries This is a formal dispute under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. regarding multiple unauthorized hard inquiries appearing on my consumer reports. I did not authorize, initiate, or permit these inquiries. Their continued reporting is both inaccurate and unlawful. 

Unauthorized Inquiries Identified TransUnion : 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 XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX Equifax : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XX/XX/XXXX Experian : 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 XXXXXX/XX/XXXX These inquiries are fraudulent and must be removed immediately.

Governing Law FCRA 607 ( b ), 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ) : CRAs must assure maximum possible accuracy in reports. Retaining unauthorized inquiries violates this duty. 

FCRA XXXX, XXXX XXXX. XXXX : Hard inquiries require permissible purpose. Without my written authorization or application, no permissible purpose exists.

FCRA 611 ( a ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i : CRAs must reinvestigate disputed items and delete any unverifiable information within 30 days.

FCRA 623 ( a ) ( 8 ), 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 8 ) : Disputes submitted via CFPB.gov must be treated the same as direct disputes. 

Case Law : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX inquiries without permissible purpose violate FCRA. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX permissible purpose requires consumer consent or initiated credit transaction. 

XXXX v. TransUnion, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX CRAs may be held liable for failure to prevent reporting of unauthorized inquiries.

Request for Method of Verification ( MOV ) If any inquiry is verified as authorized, I demand full Method of Verification under 611 ( a ) ( 7 ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 7 ) : Name, address, and phone number of the entity claiming permissible purpose. 

The specific permissible purpose relied upon. 

Proof of written authorization or consumer-initiated application. 

Date and method by which CRA confirmed authorization. 

This must be supplied within 15 days of any verification. 

Deadlines 30 days from receipt of this dispute to delete all unauthorized inquiries or provide investigation results. 

15 days from any verification to supply full Method of Verification.

Noncompliance constitutes willful violation under 616 and negligent violation under 617, subjecting you to statutory, actual, and punitive damages, plus attorneys fees.

Preservation of Rights This letter serves as notice that I am preserving all legal rights under the FCRA, the FTC Act, and other applicable state/federal law. Continued unlawful reporting of unauthorized inquiries will result in regulatory complaints, civil litigation, and claims for damages.

Relief Requested Delete all unauthorized hard inquiries listed above from my consumer reports. 

Provide written confirmation of deletions. 

Provide MOV if verified as authorized. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation