Consumer complaint received 2025-10-14 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: Experian Information Solutions Inc.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I am disputing multiple unauthorized hard inquiries appearing on my Experian credit report. These inquiries were made without my knowledge or written consent, violating the permissible-purpose requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), specifically 15 U.S.C. 1681b. A review of the inquiry dates against my legitimate account history shows no transactions, applications, or relationships that would have justified these entities accessing my credit file. On XX/XX/XXXX, I filed a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) disputing these inquiries. On XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted Experian by phone and was informed that the inquiries remained because Experian allegedly did not receive my supporting documents, including my FTC Identity Theft Report and proof of identification. In response, I mailed a complete package with all required documentation, including my FTC identity theft report, government ID, and an updated CFPB complaint. The package was delivered on XX/XX/XXXX, via XXXX, XXXX XXXX. XXXX. Despite multiple disputes and complete documentation, the unauthorized inquiries are still present on my Experian credit report. I am currently unable to file or update an FTC Identity Theft report because the FTC website is unavailable, which prevents submission at this time. Experian also stated that fraudulent inquiries are non-disputable under its policy. That position is unacceptable and contradicts the FCRA. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ), consumers have the right to dispute any information in their credit file that they believe is inaccurate or unauthorized. Experian must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and delete any inquiry that can not be verified as accurate and permissible. Failing to do so raises concerns of willful noncompliance under 15 U.S.C. 1681n and negligent noncompliance under 15 U.S.C. 1681o. The inquiries in question were reported without my consent and lack a valid permissible purpose under 15 U.S.C. 1681b. I did not give permission for these inquiries to be included in my credit file. I am requesting proof of permissible purpose under 15 U.S.C. 1681b for each inquiry. If Experian can not verify each inquiry directly with the furnisher and provide that verification to me, the inquiries must be permanently removed. The unauthorized inquiries listed on my Experian report include XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX  XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX  ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX ; XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX ; and XXXX XXXX  on XX/XX/XXXX XXXX Relevant FCRA duties and why they apply include 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( permissible purpose ), which requires a credit pull to have a valid purpose and consumer consent. The listed entities lacked my authorization and any valid purpose. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681i ( a ), Experian must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation, directly verify with furnishers, and delete unverifiable items. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681e ( b ), Experian must follow reasonable procedures to assure maximum possible accuracy. Retaining inquiries that lack permissible purpose violates this standard. Furnishers must report accurately under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2, and if they can not document a permissible purpose or my written consent, their inquiries are not valid and must not be reported. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681g and 1681c, I am requesting complete disclosure of the basis for each inquiry and removal of any inquiry that does not meet legal reporting requirements. Supporting documentation provided to Experian includes my FTC Identity Theft Report ( prior filing ; new submission is blocked because the FTC site is unavailable at this time ), government ID, proof of address, updated CFPB complaint details, and XXXX delivery confirmation with Tracking No. XXXX, delivered XX/XX/XXXX. Given the repeated disputes and complete documentation already provided, Experians failure to remove unverifiable inquiries appears to violate its reinvestigation duties and accuracy obligations under the FCRA. I am seeking the CFPBs assistance to ensure compliance and to prevent further harm to my credit.

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