Surrepticious Auto Inquiry

[sfflyfish]

I went to a local auto dealership to look at a used car. I decided to buy it and told them I would be paying cash via a check drawn on my home equity account.

As we are completing the paper work I learn that the dealership had pulled credit reports from EX and TU. I about went through the roof. I then asked if the inquiries were hard or soft. The Finance manager said they were soft inquiries.

Since I am in the middle of disputing an inaccurate item with EX, I have a recent report and using that number went to review to see if my dispute had been deleted yet.

My original disputed item is still there, but what was more frustrating was seeing the inquiry from the car dealer was a hard inquiry.

Any one here think I have a chance at getting it deleted via a letter from the dealer saying they did it without my knowledge or permission?

Doug

[Anonymous]

If you didn't consent to them doing an inquiry, they did not have PP.

I would contact them to try and resolve it first.

If this doesn't work, and you may have to threaten to sue, file a complaint with BBB and your AG.

Or you can just sue, if they will not remove it.

[athensguy]

Unfortunately the FTC has the opinion that merely paying with a check gives PP.

[Anonymous]

I would flip out on the dealership!  I can see why they might want to pull your credit to make sure you were legit, but if you specifically asked them not to and they did anyway, I would be pissed!  And then they tell you it is a soft inquiry????  Yeah, I would be livid! 

[Anonymous]

It stinks, but somewhere buried in that paperwork you signed, you may have given them permission to pull.  And the salesperson you asked probably had no idea what you were talking about when you asked about hard vs. soft inquiries - he just wanted to close the deal.

[Anonymous]

erchambers hit the nail on the head.

You paid with a check.  That's PP right there, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

I don't think the OP was paying with a check. I think he was paying cash, from a check from a home equity loan. Correct me if I am wrong. In that case I don't think they would have PP.