unauthorized inquiries

[JcT21]

on 2-24-14 i went with my son to assist him with his 1st car buying experience.   the dealer took all his info and then asked me if he could do a soft pull to get my credit score, just in case my son might need a co-signer.  i said ok, but do not send my info to any banks, as we wanted my son to do this on his own and i was just gonna give him whatever down payment he needed.   well thats fine, my son got approved and everything was fine.   this morning my credit monitoring service alterted me to new inquiries showing up on my transunion file.  11 of them.    why would this dealership do that after i said not to, i never signed anything giving permission, and after the fact that my son already got approved for the auto anyway.  how can i get these removed?  who removes them, the banks or the dealership?   i have disputed them online.  is that all i can do?  this really makes me angry!    also, if they show up on my transunion today, does that mean the other reports at EQ and EX will have them also in due time?

[Remember0]

Technically by giving them permission to soft pull, you arguably authorized all the hards. Best you can do is dispute, and if they doesn't work, send a letter to the dealer and banks essentially saying the situation, FCRA violation and to remove immediately.

Note to everyone doing this: dealers run credit with little regard. They want to sell you a car and get it approved no matter what. Hint: Don't given them SSN, DoB, or exact address (heck even use a nickname). Or freeze.

[Remember0]

Oh and by the way, delaers running credit is just the tip of the iceberg. I've heard of people becoming cosigners without even knowing it (obviously at the scammier dealerships).

[JcT21]

i have contacted TU and did the disputes.  they also suggest i contact each bank and talk to them.  each bank except for huntington bank in louisville, ky. wants a letter of dispute from me.   which i have the letters finished up and ready to be mailed.  after hearing my story huntington bank offered to do a dispute online and send a letter to the dealership as well as transunion requesting their inquiry be removed.  i was informed when doing online disputes be sure to have the dispute marked as fraud.    i contacted the dealership, they are no help whatsoever.  they dont care, im out of sight out of their mind.   i hope these letters of dispute will cause someone, some bank, anyone, to frown upon them.  no excuse for this.  really upsets me.   all of the banks agreed that the dealership is in the wrong and had no right to send in my app.  hopefully some good will come of this.

[JcT21]

i already had several inquiries on my report. in the last 2yrs ive bought 2 new cars, 1 joint with my wife and one just in my name only.  my last being 1yr ago this month.   and each of those added inquiries to my report.  i was ok with those as they are legit.   now due to  this dealer fiasco.... i have 27 inquiries on both my EQ & TU reports.   EX only showing up 8 for some odd reason.    my TU score has dropped a few.  rest stayed the same, so far.

[Remember0]

BBB or state DMV complaints may help with the dealer.

Otherwise you're on the right track. Should get the file cleaned for the most part, but note that you'll get fraud alerts thrown up all over the place. Not a huge deal, they go away after 6 months or so, but may make applying for credit a harder process (they do more to verify your identity, not a big deal imo)