Is this permissible purpopse?

jru577 · ‎02-29-2008

I had an inquiry show up on my credit report from Comcast (my arch enemies). I had an account and moved in Dec. A few days before I moved, I called to tell them that my old acct should be moved to my new address, and have a tech come out to install. I also signed up for their promotional package for cable, phone and internet. During the convo, the rep asked for my social security number to verify my identity and I provided it. Then the inquiry showed up! I called and asked if they could remove it and they said they had no way to do so.

Anyway, I was trying to read the Fair Credit reporting act for permissable purpose. I got confused about whether I had initiated a business transaction which would allow them to pull a hard inquiry. does this sound like something that they had permissable purpose??? Even though I didn't expressly give them permission? Nor did I get any warning that they were going to check it? Shall I try sending the letter?

Anonymous · ‎02-29-2008

jru577 wrote:
I had an inquiry show up on my credit report from Comcast (my arch enemies). I had an account and moved in Dec. A few days before I moved, I called to tell them that my old acct should be moved to my new address, and have a tech come out to install. I also signed up for their promotional package for cable, phone and internet. During the convo, the rep asked for my social security number to verify my identity and I provided it. Then the inquiry showed up! I called and asked if they could remove it and they said they had no way to do so.

Anyway, I was trying to read the Fair Credit reporting act for permissable purpose. I got confused about whether I had initiated a business transaction which would allow them to pull a hard inquiry. does this sound like something that they had permissable purpose??? Even though I didn't expressly give them permission? Nor did I get any warning that they were going to check it? Shall I try sending the letter?

In my opinion, yes it was PP.

Anonymous · ‎02-29-2008

I had the same situation where they asked for my SSN. I told them I did not feel secure in any way giving it over the phone so they asked for my Drivers License Number - I asked what the reasoning was for it and they said it was to validate identity if I ever called in to support... So some conflicting reasons I can see here already.

They never pulled my credit, I still have them and they still have never done a soft or hard hit on it.

Since you did not authorize them to pull your credit report, I would assume what they did was a violation. Soft hits I think it would have been fine, for example DirecTV did a softy on me when I signed up.

Anonymous · ‎02-29-2008

jru577 wrote:
I had an inquiry show up on my credit report from Comcast (my arch enemies). I had an account and moved in Dec. A few days before I moved, I called to tell them that my old acct should be moved to my new address, and have a tech come out to install. I also signed up for their promotional package for cable, phone and internet. During the convo, the rep asked for my social security number to verify my identity and I provided it. Then the inquiry showed up! I called and asked if they could remove it and they said they had no way to do so.

Anyway, I was trying to read the Fair Credit reporting act for permissable purpose. I got confused about whether I had initiated a business transaction which would allow them to pull a hard inquiry. does this sound like something that they had permissable purpose??? Even though I didn't expressly give them permission? Nor did I get any warning that they were going to check it? Shall I try sending the letter?

You might read the terms and conditions of the promotional package.

I see it as when you apply for things such as cable, phone, and internet where you are billed after the service is received and you do not prepay for the service, the provider is extending credit to you. Therefore you are entering into a "business/credit transaction" with them.