Hard Inquiries and Permissible Purpose

down77 · 06-18-2008, 11:29 PM

Background: Last month I pulled my annual credit report from all 3 CRAs and found a few errors that I have been working to clean up. I will admit I had some issues in the past (2000-2001) to which I settled or paid all but one account (Amex, fraud related and they refuse to remove after receiving a police report... thats another story and it comes off at end of month) and retained every release letter from each CA or originial debtor.

Yesterday on one of the reports I noticed that a new hard inquiry was appearing on my Experian report and curious of the following:

I did have a valid collection from WFNNB/Structure/EXP back in 2000 which I settled in full 1/2002. This negative remark was to be removed 4/2008 from all 3 CRAs and after submitting a dispute, 2 of the 3 CRAs removed it from my report. Unfortunately it seems a new hard inquiry appeared on my credit report with a date of 5/20/2008. I submitted my disputes 5/19/2008.

My question is if the account was closed with a status of settled in full does WFNNB have a permissible purpose to put this hard inquiry on my credit report? It is my understanding that the business relationship ended after the account was closed and payment was settled in full, though I could be wrong.

If this is another error, what suggestions would you have for resolving as I do not want this to linger for the 24mo period (negative impact on score). If this is NOT an error then just let me know and I will be patient until it falls off. I thank you guys in advance for any insight you may have.

Regards

Enigma · 06-18-2008, 11:55 PM

it looks like the CRA contacted WFNNB and WFNNB pulled to see what they were reporting. That is not a permissible purpose.

Send them a letter asking their PP.

down77 · 06-19-2008, 08:32 AM

That is what I was thinking may have happened. I will send them a pp letter by certified mail, as well as CC experian on the letter and keep my fingers crossed that it is resolved. I will post an update after I hear back from the companies.

Thanks again!

jlynn · 06-19-2008, 04:41 PM

Save your $5 cc'ing Experian.

down77 · 07-07-2008, 07:04 PM

I took your advice jlynn on not sending a copy to the CRA. I received the certified mail signature today, signed for on the 26th of June so hopefully I will have a response from them shortly.

centex · 07-07-2008, 07:15 PM

A little late in asking, but have you applied for any other store cards lately? WFNNB handles damned near everything under the retail umbrella...if you can find it in a mall, chances are that WFNNB has a card for them.