Equifax won't remove an unauthorized inquiry!!!!!

[jcx808]

I had an unauthorized inquiry from Sprint on my equifax credit report dated September 28, 2009.  I contacted Sprint and they sent Equifax a letter to remove it sometime in October. Its been over 2 months now and Equifax refuses to remove the inquiry even with a letter from Sprint.  What options do I have?  I even submitted a complaint with the BBB but they haven't done anything yet.  Is there any other options I have?  Does anyone have any experience with this?  

I have also called Equifax about this and they refuse to transfer me to anyone else.  It seems Equifax uses a call center in India, I couldn't understand anything they were saying. 

Thanks in advance for any help. 

[MarineVietVet]

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@jcx808 wrote:

I had an unauthorized inquiry from Sprint on my equifax credit report dated September 28, 2009.  I contacted Sprint and they sent Equifax a letter to remove it sometime in October. Its been over 2 months now and Equifax refuses to remove the inquiry even with a letter from Sprint.  What options do I have?  I even submitted a complaint with the BBB but they haven't done anything yet.  Is there any other options I have?  Does anyone have any experience with this?  

I have also called Equifax about this and they refuse to transfer me to anyone else.  It seems Equifax uses a call center in India, I couldn't understand anything they were saying. 

Thanks in advance for any help. 

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Is this the only inquiry you have listed? If so I wouldn't give it a second thought. I know it's aggravating not being able to get this removed but is it worth the effort? Sometimes we have to pick our battles. We can't fight them all.

But........ you know your situation better than I do. If you think it's worth it then more power to you. I hope someone can give you some good advice.

[DI]

As I have stated numerous times to others who has experienced your situation.  The CRA's are not obligated to remove any tradelines or inquiries regardless if a creditor submitted the request.  The creditors knows that as well.  Some will be straightforward with consumers about the issue and some will not. 

Message Edited by DI on 12-10-2009 10:44 PM

[Anonymous]

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@jcx808 wrote:

I had an unauthorized inquiry from Sprint on my equifax credit report dated September 28, 2009.  I contacted Sprint and they sent Equifax a letter to remove it sometime in October. Its been over 2 months now and Equifax refuses to remove the inquiry even with a letter from Sprint.  What options do I have?  I even submitted a complaint with the BBB but they haven't done anything yet.  Is there any other options I have?  Does anyone have any experience with this?  

I have also called Equifax about this and they refuse to transfer me to anyone else.  It seems Equifax uses a call center in India, I couldn't understand anything they were saying. 

Thanks in advance for any help. 

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I have had success with EQ on the removal of unauthorized inquiries.  First of all, dealing with them via telephone is usually useless.  The best thing is to write them a nice letter pointing out that there was no permissible purpose under which the inquiry was made and you intend to hold EQ and the creditor liable.  They will remove the inquiry ... and likely place a 90-day fraud alert on your credit report.  You can then write them again and force them to remove the fraud alert.

[RobertEG]

What makes the inquiry "unauthorized?'  You have no account with them?

[marty56]

Keep in mind the INQs could come as an indirect result of getting a new service.  When I signed up for Uverse a few years ago, they asked if I wanted a cell phone as well and said no but they did an INQ anyway.  It is my understanding that the INQ wad one for cell phone service which they know I didnt want.

[myfico5378]

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@DI wrote:
As I have stated numerous times to others who has experienced your situation.  The CRA's are not obligated to remove any tradelines or inquiries regardless if a creditor submitted the request.  The creditors knows that as well.  Some will be straightforward with consumers about the issue and some will not. 

Message Edited by DI on 12-10-2009 10:44 PM

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Which is why the FCRA holds the creditor liable for $1000 for every unauthorized inquiry.  There has to be some recourse for consumers if a creditor pulls their report without permission.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Di.

Inquiries are reported whether authorized or not.  The CRA must report it under FCRA, for no less than 24 months.  However, they are not required to report it 'hard' only as 'soft.'

The reason is:  FCRA requires that they report TO YOU anyone who has obtained a copy of report in the past 24 months.  There is no obligation to report it to third parties.

Therefore, rather than trying to get it deleted, send a letter to them requesting it be recoded to "soft inquiry" and attach the copy of the Sprint letter.  In this way, they are continuing to comply with FCRA and you get the same credit/FICO result as a deletion.

[jcx808]

Just wanted to let you guys know, I got my inquiry removed.  I kept disputing the inquiry from their online site and filed a BBB complaint.  It took about 3 months, but it was worth it.  So, I guess its possible to get an inquiry removed, plus Sprint also sent them a letter as well.

Message Edited by jcx808 on 12-22-2009 11:05 AM