Consumer complaint received 2025-03-24 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: NJ

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, NJ XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX  XXXX, SC XXXX Subject : Dispute of Unauthorized Credit Inquiry and Demand for Removal and Compensation Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally dispute an unauthorized credit inquiry made by XXXX XXXX XXXX  on my Equifax consumer report on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. This inquiry was made without my permission and without a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( a ) ( 3 ) ( F ) ( i ). 

Background of the Dispute : 1. Unauthorized Inquiry : On XX/XX/XXXX and Equifax, XXXX XXXX XXXX  made a hard inquiry on my Equifax credit report for an auto loan application. I did not authorize this inquiry, nor did I initiate any transaction with XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
2. No Permissible Purpose : I have never applied for an auto loan with XXXX XXXX XXXX, nor do I have any account or relationship with them. Therefore, XXXX XXXX XXXX  had no permissible purpose to access my credit report. 
3. Violation of FCRA : By accessing my credit report without my consent or a permissible purpose, XXXX XXXX XXXX has violated the FCRA, specifically 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( a ) ( 3 ) ( F ) ( i ), which prohibits obtaining a consumer report without a valid reason. 

Previous Correspondence : I have previously contacted XXXX XXXX XXXX  regarding this matter, and your office has repeatedly claimed that the inquiry was authorized based on information provided by XXXX XXXX XXXX PA . However, I have never authorized any credit inquiry with XXXX XXXX XXXX, and I have no record of initiating any transaction with them. 

Demand for Resolution : 1. Removal of Unauthorized Inquiry : I demand that XXXX XXXX XXXX  immediately remove the unauthorized inquiry from my XXXX credit report. 
2. Compensation for FCRA Violation : Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1681n ( a ), I am entitled to statutory damages of {$1000.00} for the willful violation of the FCRA. I am willing to settle this matter for {$1000.00} for the willful violation of the FCRA. I am willing to settle this matter for {$1000.00} in exchange for the removal of the inquiry. 
3. No Admission of Wrongdoing : If XXXX XXXX XXXX  agrees to remove the inquiry and provide the {$1000.00} settlement, I am willing to sign an agreement stating that XXXX XXXX XXXX  and its client do not have to admit to any wrongdoing. 

Litigation and Actual Damages : If XXXX XXXX XXXX  fails to resolve this matter within 10 calendar days of receiving this letter, I will have no choice but to escalate this matter further. This will include : 1. Pursuing Legal Action : I will pursue legal action against XXXX XXXX XXXX  for willful violation of the FCRA. In addition to the statutory damages of {$1000.00}, I will seek actual damages for the harm caused by the unauthorized inquiry, including but not limited to : o Damage to my credit score o Emotional distress o Time and resources spent resolving this matter Cost of Litigation for XXXX XXXX XXXX  : Litigation will not only result in significant legal fees for XXXX XXXX XXXX  but will also expose the company to additional liability. Below is an itemized estimate of the costs XXXX XXXX XXXX  will incur if this matter proceeds to litigation : Item Estimated Cost Statutory Damages ( FCRA 1681n ) {$1000.00} Actual Damages ( Emotional Distress, Credit Damage, etc. ) {$5000.00} $ XXXX Attorneys Fees ( FCRA allows recovery of attorneys fees ) {$10000.00} $ XXXX Court Costs {$2000.00} {$5000.00} Internal Legal and Administrative Costs {$5000.00} $ XXXX Reputational Damage Priceless Total Estimated Cost to XXXX XXXX XXXX  {$23000.00} & XXXX This estimate does not include the potential for punitive damages, which a court may award if it finds that XXXX XXXX XXXX  actions were particularly egregious. 

Next Steps : If XXXX XXXX XXXX  fails to remove the unauthorized inquiry and provide the requested compensation within XXXX calendar days of receiving this letter, I will proceed with filing a complaint with the CFPB and initiating legal action. 

Please send payment via certified funds to the address listed above. 

Sincerely, BY : XXXX, XXXX XXXXAgent FOR : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX cc : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) Supporting Documentation : 1. Copy of Equifax credit report showing the unauthorized inquiry by XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. 
2. Previous correspondence with XXXX XXXX XXXX  regarding this matter. 
3. Copy of this dispute letter. 
This letter is a formal notice and demand for resolution under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. I expect a prompt response and resolution to this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation