Remind me again why CA's can do a hard pull...

[IOBA]

So frustrating!  A CA -- whom I have no known relationship with -- did a hard pull on my credit.   AGAIN.  They did this about 15 months ago too.

So why do they do that and not send written communication?   I probably know the answer, but am so steaming mad at the CA for doing this to begin with!    Will be watching my mailbox....

[Anonymous]

I think discernment had something like this happen to her and she fought it out.

I wish I could find the thread, but I haven't had enough coffee yet. Hopefully she will chime in with the link.

[IOBA]

FrugalRican - lol - I gotta luv ya!   8 point drop for the hard inquiry.  Oh, credit life can bite sometimes!!!!

[llecs]

Our wonderful FCRA spells it out. If concerned (I'd be), then send a DV with a mention they pulled your CR and see what they say. Maybe an argument can be made that collection activity began when they pulled your CR? An alternative is to send a non-PP letter. Just run in your head to make sure there are no outstanding debts inside SOL that could be an issue.

[Anonymous]

I had this happen recently and have so far had no success with getting any answers.  I started by contacting the company with a non-PP letter and the BBB.  I received the same reply in a letter and to my BBB complaint: simply stating that they bought a debt I owe from Clout Financial.  I have never heard of this company and do not believe I owe this debt.  The CA however has not yet responded again, but they didn't go away with the BBB complaint as easily as discernment's situation, unfortunately.

It is frustrating for sure.  I will be fighting it until I get a resolution one way or the other because it cost me two denials (literally, the denial reason was "Inquiry for collection purposes").

[Anonymous]

Actually, thank God, I've had two successful experiences with the BBB recently.   One situation, I discussed here. And the other, I discussed here.  

I am so thankful for the wonderful members here at myFICO for reminding me about credit monitoring services.  Checking my credit reports everyday has been essential in keeping up with the shenanigans of CAs.  And, those of you who recommended the BBB to me -- God bless you! 

For those of you who have not had success with the BBB, carefully word your complaints and, use all the legal statutes that apply to your situation to substantiate your claims.

Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

For those of you who have not had success with the BBB, carefully word your complaints and, use all the legal statutes that apply to your situation to substantiate your claims.

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Unfortuantely the CAs are legally allowed to access your credit by most interpretations of the FCRA.  The only way you would have a legitimate legal argument is if you do not owe them the money.  If they have purchased a valid debt of yours, the FCRA pretty clearly lays that out as a permissible purpose.  Many CAs may just get rid of it to avoid trouble, or perhaps they didn't have any documentation to support that the debt was valid.

In my case at least, I got an awful CA that doesn't follow any of the rules though.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

The only way you would have a legitimate legal argument is if you do not owe them the money. 

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Yes, this was also helpful in my case.  

And, are there "any" CAs that actually follow the rules?

[IOBA]

llecs - about 15 months ago, they did a hard pull.   Me thinks they are being nosy, seeing if there is anyway they can extort money from me.   

I am not sure about getting it removed because the company can claim they have a legitimate reason.   <---- VERY debatable.

I am not sure about DV'ing the company either.   I'd have to go look at past credit reports to see if they have a history of hard pulling me.   If they do, then I will probably file a complaint with the BBB and the CB.   Nothing is on my CR and I don't want a DV to invoke that action.  It's a major pain in the backside to get something like that removed.

jimbo831 - I am sorry that happened.  You can use that as a reason to get another free credit report.  A long time ago, a CA do a hard pull.  I called the CB and asked the nice lady who the company was.  She said she didn't know but she said they look like a CA.   She deleted the inquiry because I had no idea who they were either and my CR was excellent.   The same CB has gone hardcore mean now and I doubt that I would have that kind of success again.  They won't delete something that is there, in error, that I have proved to them is in error.  It's hitting the 7 yr mark this October or November so I am letting it fall off.  Not worth getting a wedgie over.  My FICO score is 797 with it there, so it's not hurting too much.

[mtrsprt]

It may be a hard pull, but it wont be categorized the same as if you were seeking new credit.