Soft Inquiries - What do they see?

[Anonymous]

Ok thanks Timothy and RobertEG.      I did not fully comprehend Timothy's response at first, but do now.

The PRM Inquiries must get more than just name and address.  How do they know if you are a customer they even want?  Must get a score too and can see public records.  CrapOne used to send me promo letters right after my discharge saying "we know you have moved beyond bankruptcy......".  How could they know that unless the CR told them so?

[Anonymous]

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Boscoe wrote:

How do they know if you are a customer they even want? 

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They request records from the CRAs for consumers that have certain characteristics in their files, even though they don't get to see all the specific information themselves.  The CRAs apply their own logic to select only records that meet those criteria from their databases.

[RobertEG]

PRM inquiries are controlled under the FCRA as follows:

"(c) Furnishing reports in connection with credit or insurance transactions that are not

initiated by the consumer.

(1) In general. A consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report relating to

any consumer pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (C) of subsection (a)(3) in connection

with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer only if

(A) the consumer authorizes the agency to provide such report to such person; or

(B) (i) the transaction consists of a firm offer of credit or insurance;

(ii) the consumer reporting agency has complied with subsection (e); and

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(iii) there is not in effect an election by the consumer, made in accordance with

subsection (e), to have the consumer's name and address excluded from

lists of names provided by the agency pursuant to this paragraph.

(2) Limits on information received under paragraph (1)(B). A person may receive

pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) only

(A) the name and address of a consumer;

(B) an identifier that is not unique to the consumer and that is used by the person

solely for the purpose of verifying the identity of the consumer; and

(C) other information pertaining to a consumer that does not identify the

relationship or experience of the consumer with respect to a particular creditor

or other entity.

(3) Information regarding inquiries. Except as provided in section 609(a)(5) [§1681g], a

consumer reporting agency shall not furnish to any person a record of inquiries in

connection with a credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by a consumer."