Early Sunday morning, I received an alert from CK that I had a new inquiry from Syncrony Bank for a Paypal Mastercard. I didn't apply for the card, so I called them to speak with them. As it turns out, they were about to issue a MC with a $3K CL and mail it out to me. I suspect that someone was looking to intercept it at my mailbox or Syncrony Bank figured this was a way to get a new customer. I had them cancel the card, as I do not need it. Back in April, I did look on their website to see if I was pre-approved for anything. The Discover card didn't interest me, so I passed.
I figured that since this is fraudelent that I would dispute this with EQ and that it would be a no-brainer for it to be removed. Wonder of wonders, EQ comes back with the results that it is a valid inq. Am I wrong to think that potential suitors shouldn't just be able to do a HP on my reports? Should I pursue this further or should I just drop it? This crap takes time and energy, and I know darn well that EQ didn't do a darn thing to investigate this properly. It is for reasons like this that people hate CRAs.
I'm going to apply for a HELOC in the summer and I don't want an inquiry to show up that didn't yield any fruit.
Thoughts?
Starting Score: 469
Hey FinStar, thanks for the reply. Syncrony canceled the account and is not sending a card out, so there is nothing to report to the other CRAs. The bank acknowledged the transaction as fraudulent. I would imagine that if EQ would have actually contacted them, they would have told them so. I know I need to see this through on principle. I'm going to hammer on the bank.
@FinStar wrote:Hey @Junejer. Sorry to hear that something unleasant popped up over the weeknd. If it were me, I would pursue it due to the fraud and unauthorized nature of the situation. Yes, it can be a PITA for sure and more so with EQ. Not sure if the account has even reported to the others like TU or EX since SYNCB can be quick like that.
+1000
OP, the PITA you'll suffer right now will be nothing compared to the PITA you'll experience if someone starts applying for other CCs and/or loans in your name since it appears they already have enough information to apply for a CC.
Since EQ validated, if I were you, I would immediately dispute with CFPB
GL2U
EDIT: @Junejer, a thought, did you ask EQ to recode the HP to a SP since you didn't apply for the CC?
A 2nd EDIT: I just noticed I responded to a Moderator Emeritus. 
My answer is with the utmost respect. 
@Junejer , I just had to jump on and say HI!!! WOW...its been awhile, but very nice indeed to have you posting on the forums again
If you havent done so already, Id put a fraud and freeze on all 3 CRA's asap! Also, as stated above, if you can get something in writing from Synch that it was fraudulent, then you can fax that over to the CRA's demanding they remove the INQ or at the least make it a SP. Im sorry that you're having trouble, thats a terrible thing to deal have to deal with, especially right before you're wanting to get a loan!
Good Luck to you, and update your thread when you get a chance . Good to see you!
@CreditInspired wrote:
@FinStar wrote:Hey @Junejer. Sorry to hear that something unleasant popped up over the weeknd. If it were me, I would pursue it due to the fraud and unauthorized nature of the situation. Yes, it can be a PITA for sure and more so with EQ. Not sure if the account has even reported to the others like TU or EX since SYNCB can be quick like that.
+1000
OP, the PITA you'll suffer right now will be nothing compared to the PITA you'll experience if someone starts applying for other CCs and/or loans in your name since it appears they already have enough information to apply for a CC.
Since EQ validated, if I were you, I would immediately dispute with CFPB
GL2U
EDIT: @Junejer, a thought, did you ask EQ to recode the HP to a SP since you didn't apply for the CC?
A 2nd EDIT: I just noticed I responded to a Moderator Emeritus.
@CreditInspired Thank you for the information on the CFPB. I will definitely file a report with them about my experience with EQ.
I have put a freeze on all three CRAs.
@Backwoods, I suppose I can file a police report, although I have no idea who could have applied for this card in my name.
I got the confirmation letter from Syncrony saying that the account would be closed due to fraud. I'm finishing up a business trip and will handle all of this when I return
home.
Thank you for the stellar information that resides on this forum.
Additional update: Filed a report tonight with CFPB and attached the letters I received from Synchrony. Attempted to file another online dispute with EQ. Their system took me from step one to step three, skipping step two, which allows me to attach the letters from Synch. 
Called them and was transferred to the fraud department. Apparently, according to the fraud rep, you can't dispute a hard inq. This is why my dispute came back in two days as valid. I'm sorry, but there is something wrong with a system that the default is that I can't dispute a fraudulent inquiry. They are sending Synch a request to remove the inquiry from my report. I won't hold my breath, but I really hope it takes this time, as I can't devote any more brain power to this at this point.
I'll update when I hear something. I hope my chronicles help others to bypass some of the angst that I have endured.