Consumer complaint received 2025-09-02 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: CO

Complaint narrative:
I found multiple hard inquiries on my credit files that I did not authorize or initiate. I did not apply for new credit with any of these companies and I did not give written permission for anyone to pull my consumer report. The inquiries are XXXX XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX  XXXX XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX. Department of Justice dated XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX XXXX  XXXX dated XX/XX/XXXX I immediately filed an identity theft and unauthorized inquiry report with the Federal Trade Commission and provided my identification. I then disputed with all three credit bureaus in writing and asked for the basic verification they are required to keep. I asked for the name and address of the requester. the permissible purpose used. and a copy of any signed application or written instruction that would authorize access to my file. I also asked for the method of verification used during their reinvestigation Despite my requests the bureaus either marked the inquiries as verified or failed to provide any proof that I authorized these pulls. No signed application. no written instruction. no proof of a firm offer I initiated. and no method of verification. I also noted missing and inconsistent Metro Two fields for inquiries. such as permissible purpose classification and full furnisher identifiers. which means the entries are not complete or verifiable under industry reporting standards These unauthorized pulls have caused concrete harm. I lost time and money sending certified mail. I experienced XXXX  and confusion trying to understand who accessed my data and why. The presence of these hard inquiries also reduces my creditworthiness and can trigger score drops and less favorable pricing for credit I am asking the CFPB to require the bureaus and each furnisher named above to do one of two things within a fixed period. One. produce the original signed application or written instruction that contains my name and the exact inquiry date along with IP logs time stamps device identifiers and the stated permissible purpose. Two. if they can not produce those records. permanently delete each inquiry from all consumer reporting agencies and confirm deletion to me in writing. I am also asking the CFPB to ensure the bureaus document and provide the method of verification for any item they choose to verify and to correct incomplete Metro Two fields so that only fully compliant data remains on file LAWS AND FACTS SUPPORTING THIS COMPLAINT FCRA 1681b requires a valid permissible purpose or written instruction before a report is furnished. No proof has been provided that I gave such authorization FCRA 609 a 1 entitles me to the source and purpose of each inquiry and the identity of the requester. The bureaus did not supply this information on request FCRA 611 a requires a reasonable reinvestigation and 611 a 7 requires disclosure of the method of verification upon request. The bureaus verified without producing their method or any underlying contract or application Metro Two standards require complete and accurate inquiry fields including proper permissible purpose coding and full furnisher identification. The inquiry entries show coding and identification gaps which makes them unreliable and not verifiable SUMMARY JUSTIFICATION WITH RECORD REFERENCES My FTC report and written disputes show I reported each inquiry as unauthorized and requested evidence. See the FTC confirmation that lists the same inquiries and my sworn statement that I did not authorize them. 

My bureau letters to Equifax Experian and TransUnion document that I demanded the signed application or written instruction. the source and purpose. and the method of verification. They also explain the missing Metro Two coding and request permanent deletion if proof can not be produced. 

REQUESTED CFPB ACTION Order the furnishers and the bureaus to either provide the original signed authorization with complete audit details or delete the inquiries from all files Require written confirmation of deletions to me and ensure future reporting uses complete Metro Two inquiry fields only Monitor for retaliation or reinsertion and require five day written notice for any attempted reinsertion that might occur later RECOMMENDATION Push for full deletion of every listed inquiry because the furnishers and the bureaus have not produced permissible purpose proof or a valid method of verification. If any party again marks these items as verified without producing the original signed authorization escalate enforcement through CFPB supervision and refer to the State Attorney General for further action

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief