Consumer complaint received 2025-06-13 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: NC

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint against several unauthorized and unverified hard inquiries that have been reported on my credit file. These inquiries were made without my knowledge, permission, or any permissible purpose as required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S. Code 1681b ( 604 ). 
Under the FCRA, a consumer reporting agency may only furnish a consumer report when there is a legitimate and documented permissible purpose. These inquiries have negatively impacted my credit profile and were not authorized by me through any written or verbal consent, nor do I have any existing or prior business relationship with many of the entities listed. 
Below are the unauthorized inquiries appearing on my credit report : XXXX. EQUIFAX XXXX Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Issue : No permissible purpose or authorization. No mortgage application was made. 
Relevant Law : FCRA 604 ( a ) ( 3 ) ( A ) A permissible purpose must exist, such as a credit transaction initiated by the consumer.

2. EQUIFAX XXXX XXXX  Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX   Issue : Duplicate inquiry on the same day as EQUIFAX XXXX. No authorization or application provided. 
Relevant Law : FCRA 604 ( a ) ( 3 ) ( F ) Inquiries must be certified by the end-user and match a legitimate intent.

XXXX. XXXX XXXX Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX   Issue : No application or prior dealings with XXXX XXXX This inquiry was made without my consent. 
Relevant Law : FCRA 604 Hard inquiries without consent constitute a violation. 
XXXX. XXXX Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Issue : Unknown company. No account or service request was made. No permissible purpose. 
Relevant Law : FCRA 604 ( a ) ( 3 ) ( A ) Inquiry not initiated by me or for any credit-related transaction. 
XXXX. EXPERIAN XXXXXXXX XXXX  Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXXXXXX  Issue : I did not apply for any business credit product or authorize this pull. 
Relevant Law : FCRA 604 ( c ) Consumer report access for business purposes must be initiated by the consumer. 
XXXX. XXXX XXXX  Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXX Issue : I did not apply for any credit products from XXXX XXXX. This inquiry was unauthorized. 
Relevant Law : FCRA 604 ( a ) ( 3 ) ( A ) No permissible purpose was provided or documented. 
XXXX. XXXX ( XXXX XXXX ) Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXX Issue : I have no account, application, or relationship with XXXX. Inquiry was unsolicited and unauthorized. 
Relevant Law : FCRA 604 ( a ) ( 3 ) ( F ) Inquiries must be based on a legitimate request by the consumer.

XXXX. XXXX XXXX  ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) Inquiry Date : XX/XX/XXXX Issue : I never submitted a credit application with XXXX. Inquiry negatively impacted my score. 
Relevant Law : FCRA 604 Credit report access must be explicitly authorized.

Personal Statement : As a responsible consumer, I closely monitor my credit report. I was alarmed to discover these hard inquiries that I did not authorize, initiate, or consent to. These inquiries have lowered my credit score and reflect negatively on my credit history.

Despite not initiating any transactions or providing any authorization, these companies have accessed my credit file. I believe this is a direct violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and I respectfully request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigate these unauthorized credit pulls and assist in having them permanently removed from my credit report. 
Additionally, I request the CFPB to enforce stricter compliance with FCRA among data furnishers and reporting agencies to prevent future violations. 
Requested Resolution : Immediate investigation of the listed inquiries.

Permanent removal of these unauthorized hard inquiries from all credit reports ( Equifax, Experian, TransUnion ). 
Written confirmation of the outcome of the investigation. 
Penalties imposed on any entity found violating FCRA. 
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am prepared to provide further documentation if necessary.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation