Just noticed today that I had 2 new hard inquiries from Providian on the 23rd (1 EX and 1 TU). The catch? I didn't apply for a Providian card and I have never had an account with them. I called them tonight and after talking to 5 people, finally ended up in "operations". Turns out someone applied for a CC in my name using a combination of correct and incorrect information (correct name and social, old address & work info). Just great. Told the guy that I needed them to contact the CRA's and have these inquiries deleted from my reports: "Oh. We don't do that." "Well... you're gonna!" "No sir, we're not". Round and round... Just great. They gave me the address and fax number of the Providian Credit Bureau Dispute department so I guess some letter writing is in my future. Any ideas? How hard can I threaten these bozos? JP
Well, not much you can do. Operations only deals with card accounts/applications. So, they would not be able to help. I would deal with the CRA's directly and tell them that the inquiries are to be removed due to fraud. Providian should verify that is indeed the case and they should be removed. If they are not, then call Providian back and that is the time for threats.
More importantly.. you need to put fraud alerts on all your credit reports so the person doesn't get it right and get credit in your name. File an id theft police report. then write Prov cert rr and state it's an id theft issue and to remove the hard inquiries or you'll sue them for pp. then if they don't, sue them. with the letters and police report you'll get 1k. also send in your fraud alerts to the bureaus cert rr so you have proof they received them. also dispute the inquiries (they won't do it, but put it in the letter anyway). shows a judge you tried but the system failed you before you sued Providian
livefromny: Could you post the address and fax number of the Providian Credit Bureau Dispute department they gave to you? I might need that for a dispute I have with them. Jeff
Happy to help! Providian Financial Credit Bureau Disputes PO Box 9180 Pleasanton, CA 94566 FAX to 925-225-1198
Why not just sue them for pulling an unauthorized inquiry? Maybe THEN, as part of the settlement, they can find someone who has the authority to remove the unauthorized hard inquiry.
