How can I dispute a hard inquiry from a collection agency?

[Ne0]

Hello, thank you in advance for any response. This collection agency did a hard inquiry on me with out my authorization, is this possible and can I dispute it?

PLAZA RECOVERY, INC 

[Barris]

CAs do not require your authorization to run a hard inquiry on your report as long as they have legitimate vested financial interest. Maybe they are collecting on a late or default?

[RobertEG]

The FCRA is intentionally structured to permit inquiries for a consumer credit report without specific consumer authorization provided the purpose of the inquiry is one of more of the permissible purposes outlined in section 604.  Otherwise, haindling of credit and business transactions would come to a crawl.

Section 604 specifically authorizes pull of a consumer credit report if the permissible purpose is collection on a debt.

That assumes the debt collector has legitimate collection authority, either by way of assignment from the current creditor, or by purchase of the debt.

Coding as either a so-called "hard" or "soft" inquiry, other than inquiries pertaining to promotional offers for credit, are not regulated under the FCRA.