Ncblondie, I had initially disputed an inquiry on my TransUnion report, directly with the creditor. The creditor contacted Transuion. (But didnt have the inquiry deleted as they had promised) As a result, TransUnion placed a 90-day fraud alert on my file without my request. The other Bureaus followed suit. Then after, the following week, Equifax placed an "Extended Fraud Alert" on my account without my request,or knowledge. When I questioned them, they claim it was TransUnion. I even recieved a letter from Equifax informing me of the Extended Fraud Alert after they placed it.During my investigation, I recieved different stories from various representatives. One "supervisor" claimed that TransUnion faxed them a form, which stated I had filed a police report. I spoke to Transuion's Fraud Department again, (same rep.), who told me to request proof from Equifax of this so-called form. She then informed me of the exact hour,minute, and date that Equifax transmitted the request to them to add this "Extended Fraud Alert". She said there was no police report, or anything on file that would warranted them to add this 5yr alert.
These alerts are a wonderful , when processed properly and at the request of the consumer. I didn't realize that a creditor could contact a bureau about a unauthorized inquiry that they initiated, and the bureaus could place a "Fraud Alert', without even contacting the consumer first. If I had applied for credit during the holidays, online or at the store, I would have been denied, and unclueless as to the reasons why. There is a lot of sneakness, lieing and unprofessionalism going on at all three bureas. Experian ,Equifax, and I'm sure TransUnion as well need to be shut down.
