hard inquiry vs. soft inquiry from CA?

[Silver1]

Okay, I found conflicting information and am coming here to get it cleared up.

A collection agency did a "hard" inquiry on my credit report. Yes, it's Sherman.

The inquiry looks to have been done before I got any collection letters. The inquiry date predates the date on the first letter.

I have heard that as long as there is permissible purpose someone can look at your CR and they can make it a "hard" or "soft" inquiry, whatever they want.

Then I read that a collection agency can't do a hard inquiry because they aren't granting you credit or insurance?

So - is it true that a CA can't do a hard inquiry on your credit report? What is the best way to dispute inquiries with Experian? They don't have a place to dispute inquiries when you view the report online.

Thanks!

Silver

[codename_fortyseven]

Nope. The CRA's must keep track of all inq's, but they can't furnish inq's that aren't related to a cosumer's business transaction (paraphrasing from the FCRA)

In other words, collection inq's should be soft and are a FDCPA violation and FCRA violation when they are verified.

[Silver1]

Great! So I have Experian on that one. Experian is listing the Sherman inquiry as a hard pull, but they have no online dispute process for that. It looks as though I'll need to dispute the inquiry with Experian through the mail.

Thanks!!

[codename_fortyseven]

Silver, FYI ALL disputes that aren't something easy like an address or telephone number that have the great potential for a lawsuit should be in writing, CMRRR.

[Silver1]

I gotcha. I will do everything on this CMRRR, I don't want to mess this up. Thank you!!