I did not do enough research on inquiries and disputed about 7 inquiries with EXP. I wrote saying they may be errors, 'unauthorized' or 'fraudulent'. They put on a Fraud Alert. (they feel they have to do it if someone mentions fraud otherwise it'd be negligent). Their letter said they will send it to the other bureaus, too. I called today and the guy said they can remove it if I send them a letter. I would also have to write to the other bureaus. However, the manager said the inquiries could not be disputed if they remove the fraud alert. He also thought that lenders can pull hards with a permissible purpose and just because I had accounts with some of them before, that's a permissible purpose. He quoted FCRA 604 sub 138b paragraph a. Is this true. Is the Fraud Alert worse than the actual inquiries. Should I write the letter and ask for it to be removed. Can I have FA removed AND dispute the inquiries. Maybe it's not even worth it to dispute the inquiries if it causes all this hassle. Was it stupid to ask for the manager and attract attention. Should I have just spoken to someone else.
It does but I already hate it when the stupid lenders make you jump thru hoops to prove who you are or suspect your purchases.
The fraud alert stayed on my wife's report for 12 months last year. Had to write 2 letters and call once to have it removed. Why not just wait the 30 days until the dispute is over and then send the letter?
That's probably a good idea to wait 30 days or so. Hopefully I did not screw anything up by calling and telling them I don't want the fraud alert.
