topic Re: How do I dispute an inquiry?? in Rebuilding Your Credit

How do I dispute an inquiry??

nicktheman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:05:16 GMT

There are 2 inquiries from the same company on my reports that I have never worked with and I want to get them deleted. I noticed Equifax allows me to dispute that information online, but the other 2 bureau's I can not find any easy way to do it. Is through the mail the only way?

Thanks!

Re: How do I dispute an inquiry??

gdtobefree — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:46:39 GMT

There is a rule, NEVER dispute Inq's through a CRA

I would send the person reporting the Inq a letter directly to them

Is it a creditor or a collection agency?

If it is a CA send them a DV for an UNKNOWN debt

Re: How do I dispute an inquiry??

nicktheman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:38:43 GMT

Why should you never dispute an inquiry through a CRA?

Re: How do I dispute an inquiry??

llecs — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:49:52 GMT

nicktheman wrote:
Why should you never dispute an inquiry through a CRA?

You'll get hit with a fraud alert. IMO, I'd dispute via mail if I suspected identity theft, but if there's a TL reporting as a result of that inquiry, then there's a chance that TL will either be deleted or the account closed.

Re: How do I dispute an inquiry??

nicktheman — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:03:00 GMT

I already had a fraud alert on my credit report...what does that do? Lower my score??

Re: How do I dispute an inquiry??

llecs — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:15:46 GMT

No, it actually is a good thing if there's a chance for ID theft and the like. No impact on your score at all. It is just a pain in the butt if it were added and you weren't expecting it. It also makes it harder to app for credit and can be difficult to remove. IMO, if the inquiry isn't yours, then go for it. Just make sure that there's no TLs reporting as a result of that inquiry.

Re: How do I dispute an inquiry??

Jamistar313 — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:56:14 GMT

"If it is a CA send them a DV for an UNKNOWN debt"

What is this? I just had something show up on my credit report for the first time that isn't mine, and have no idea how to proceed. Any detailed steps? Totally confused. Anderson Financial is the one trying to collect.

Re: How do I dispute an inquiry??

llecs — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:18:07 GMT

Jamistar313 wrote:
"If it is a CA send them a DV for an UNKNOWN debt"

What is this? I just had something show up on my credit report for the first time that isn't mine, and have no idea how to proceed. Any detailed steps? Totally confused. Anderson Financial is the one trying to collect.

DV = debt validation letter

Welcome to the forums!

I'd suggest reading the following:

Common Abbreviations

Credit Scoring 101 - great for knowing what is in your credit score and to see how your score is impacted.

What Steps Do I Take - great for learning the repair process.

and Example letters - PFDs, GWs, DVs, etc.

Re: How do I dispute an inquiry??

stoopidmunkee — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:20:31 GMT

I've disputed in the past never had a problem.

Re: How do I dispute an inquiry??

RobertEG — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:06:10 GMT

If you wish to dispute an inquiry direclty with the person who submitted the inquiry, they can simply dismiss it without any need to respond on the merits.

Issues relating to credit inquiries are specifically exempt from the direct dispute process. 16 CFR 660.4(b)(iii). Disputes of inquiries are only provided by way of a dispute with the CRA.

Disputing inquiries through the CRA is difficult, primarily because of the way the inquiry process works.

When a party makes a request for a consumer's credit report, they must provide a certification under FCRA 604(f) and 607(a), providing one or more of the permissible purposes set forth in section 604.

The CRA accepts the truthfulness of such self-certifications, so has their behind covered in providing them your CR. To challenge the permissible purpose, you must find out what was provided to the CRA, and then challenge its accuracy. If the CRA simply relies on the submitted certification, they can verify under their own reinvestigation authority.

A real catch-22.

You can submit a request for the certification provided to the CRA by sending the CRA an information request under section 609(a)(1) and (2), which entitles the consumer to any information in their credit file. Then you would have factual information upon which to challenge accuracy of the inquiry.

Its a long process, and by the time concluded, the inquiry will most likely no longer be included in credit scoring.