Consumer complaint received 2025-03-14 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: AZ

Complaint narrative:
Date : XX/XX/year> I am writing to formally dispute unauthorized inquiries on my credit report and to express my concerns regarding Experians handling of disputes related to inaccurate information. 

On XX/XX/year>, I contacted Experian regarding multiple credit inquiries on my report from the past year that I did not authorize. These inquiries originated when I visited two dealerships seeking financing. I explicitly instructed each dealership to run my credit report only once. However, the dealerships sent my credit profile to multiple lenders without my consent. 

When I reached out to Experian to dispute these unauthorized inquiries, I was informed by a representative that Experian does not handle disputes related to inaccurate information unless it qualifies as fraud. I clarified that fraud involves someone impersonating me, whereas my issue concerns unauthorized use of my credit information. The representative confirmed that Experian would not investigate unless fraud was alleged. Instead, I was directed to contact each individual lender to request removal of the inquiries.

Following this advice, I contacted two of the lenders. One requested a screenshot of the inquiry, while the other required me to file a police report. I questioned why a police report would be necessary when the issue stems from the dealership disregarding my instructions and submitting my credit profile to multiple lenders without my approval. The lender stated that filing a police report is their company policy for disputing any inquiry.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681i, credit bureaus are required to investigate disputes regarding inaccurate or unauthorized information on a consumer 's credit report. The FCRA also states that a credit bureau must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation when a consumer disputes the accuracy of an item. By refusing to investigate my dispute unless it falls under fraud, Experian is failing to comply with its obligations under the law. 

Additionally, per FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( c ), a consumers credit report may only be accessed with their express authorization for a permissible purpose. The multiple unauthorized inquiries on my report violate this provision. I am requesting that Experian : 1. Initiate an inv
estigation into the unauthorized inquiries on my credit report.

2. Provide documentation supporting the legitimacy of these inquiries, including proof of my explicit consent.

3. Remove any inquiries that can not be verified as authorized.

If this issue is not resolved promptly, I will escalate my complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) for further investigation.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and expect a response within the legally mandated timeframe. Also to add my credit score is 695 at this very moment before this complaint will be filed. So if my score is dropped with no changes that would be retaliation for exercising my rights. 

SincerelyXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

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