Strange inquiry on EX credit report - Direct TV

[Itsmeagain]

I just got an alert from CreditSecure stating there had been a recent inquiry (hard pull), by Direct TV.  I'm quite sure this is not a result of anything I've applied for (only one EX pull in last 12 mo.)  And, I live in a complex that provides Comcast cable, so there's zero chance this inquiry was mine.  There is, of course, the possibility of identity theft but that's doubtful since the perp would have installed the service at their address.  They aren't really THAT stupid are they?

So, my question is: Do I dispute the inquiry with Experian first or contact Direct TV first?  If the answer is Direct TV, should I send the inquiry to the address on the inquiry or to their registered agent?  This is after all, a FCRA violation.

Thanks for any suggestions.

IMA 

Message Edited by Itsmeagain on 01-05-2010 10:06 AM

[Anonymous]

Ok you said dish network and dircttv not sure which it is but either result is the same.

Yes they are that stupid.

2 years ago I lived with a friend so we could split bills. One day he got a call from directtv saying he was delinquent on his account. The funny part is we had cable so we knew something was up. So we asked them to verify the address. They said they could not give us the address as that was their verification question to make sure they knew who they were talking to. So we told them our address well that address did not match their records. So we knew we had a problem. The lady would hear nothing of it she just wanted money. So I got tricky and hung up and called the regular Customer Service number. I got a guy and told him that we were subscribers and had not received a bill in  a couple of months and wanted to make sure they had our "new" address on file. I told him our current address and he said no thats not what we have and I asked him what he had. He told me the address and we had never lived there. Turned out another family used his name and everything and opened a directtv account and had it installed at their house.

So dont doubt their stupidity but I wouldnt be surprised if someone has satellite in your name now so you may want to check further. Just call the regular 1-800 number and give them your info and see if they pull up an account for you.

[Itsmeagain]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Ok you said dish network and dircttv not sure which it is but either result is the same.

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Thanks for the heads-up.  I have corrected the mistake - It is Direct TV.

Thanks also for your experience.  Unfortunately (or fortunately), there is no account reporting YET!  I have gotten the phone number for Direct TV's fraud department and will be calling them when they open.  I'll keep you posted on what I discover.

[Itsmeagain]

So, I called Direct TV's fraud hotline and spoke with an investigator.  He checked their entire database and said there was no account with them in my name.  I have now faxed a dispute to Experian and will follow up by sending it CMRRR.  With all the problems I've read about Experian, I expect this to be about as pleasent as a trip to the dentist.

Any other suggestions?

[Jazzzy]

Does DirectTV have the ability to remove the inquiry?

Maybe you need to hit them with letters as well???

[Itsmeagain]

Thanks LynetteM, I had thought of that but decided that if Direct TV had no record for an application from me, the dispute to the CRB would suffice.  Now, should the inquiry be affirmed, I'll be disputing with Direct TV and filing complaints with the BBB and AG.

I suppose that if that doesn't get the problem resolved, the next step would be litigation??

[haulingthescoreup]

From what I have read here on the forums, all you have to do is call DirectTV and tell them to remove the inq, and they'll do it.

They're infamous for pulling hard inqs for nothing at all, but they do seem to be cooperative about undoing their mess.

[Itsmeagain]

Could it REALLY be that simple?  I'll find out . . . . Thanks HTSU.

[haulingthescoreup]

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Itsmeagain wrote:
Could it REALLY be that simple?  I'll find out . . . . Thanks HTSU.

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Well, I hope it is. That's what I've read, anyway!

Hope it works for you. When it comes to getting messes off reports, I lean toward trying the simplest method first.