Equifax Credit Bureau unethical information sharing Internet

This experience was 3 years ago but I still remember it clearly. AT&T asks an innocuous question paraphased as: 'Do you mind if we use your records to better help you with our services?'  In no way did I expect that that question meant they were going to pull my credit report.  I didn't provide my SS or any other information, but they had my information because I had an AT&T (a/k/a Bellsouth) home line for 40 years.

I was completely surprised that they pulled my credit. I did not ask for additional services at all. I mearly asked to move from one location to another (transfer the same service to new home). To compound matters, I had to delay the date of my move and they pulled my credit again when I called in the new moving date!

So now, if I call them for anything and they ask that innocuous question about my records - I tell them no. I also follow up with this phrase:  You do NOT have my permission to access my credit report or score in any way. So far it works, no hard pulls.

I agree with the original poster that the vendor should make it clear that they are going to access your credit report even if you are just getting quotes on services and costs. It is an abuse of power in my opinion. Obtaining the report if you decide you want the service is one thing, but obtaining the report to get a quote on costs is something else entirely. This is not a good thing for the consumer.

This method seems to be standard for DirecTV, Dish, AT&T and other service type vendors where the CSR doesn't directly ask for permission to pull your credit first.  They ask indirectly by using the term "records".  They pull your credit assuming you will go forward with their services so you are stuck with their hard pull even if you never signed up for the actual service.  

Robert--- I have to ask, do you work for Equifax or Direct TV or affiliates? It seems you have taken a personal interest in my report.

To FURTHER clarify, I reported Equifax because without their releasing credit info to Direct TV, the problem would have ended there.

My wife is a real estate broker and her best friend is the mortgage broker involved in my refi. They pulled my credit for the refi, after Direct TV obtained their "hard inquiry", so it was clear what happened.

Don't take my word for it. Call Direct TV and enjoy the experience.

Thanks for responding.

Here are more details of my experience: I DID contact them (Direct TV), for basic information so that I could compare my cable costs, and decide whether or not to switch.

Throughout the conversation, I had to fend off repeated requests for my social security number, credit card number and home address. I finally gave them my name, that's ALL.

They claimed that hey could provide an internet and phone "package". When I asked about that, they said they would transfer me to another "department" when we were done. The "department" is actually a different company, that provides the phone and internet. Overall, it was a bad experience.

To address your comment on the impact on my credit rating, which I check regularly, since it is free with my Equifax subscription: Prior to my Direct TV experience, my score was 823. After the inquiry, it has dropped to 790 for at least 90 days.

No, it's not the end of the world, but I had to explain to the mortgage company that the drop did not signify that I had, or was planning to make a major purchase. If they had not accepted my explanation, I would have had to complete a new application and risk interest rates going up during the new time frame.

Thanks for the opportunity to fine tune my report.

So exactly just how did DirectTV get your name?  Did they use some Random Name Generator and yours just popped to the top of the list?

Direct (no pun intended) from the Equifax Web site is the definition of an Inquiry.

Inquiries:
Requests for a copy of your credit file. When you initiate a transaction that results is your credit file being accessed, such with a bank, landlord, employer or potential employer, mortgage broker or other institution from which you have applied for credit, the inquiry is generally considered a “hard” inquiry and is visible to anyone who obtains a copy of your credit report. "Soft" inquiries are not shown when someone other than you obtains your credit report. One example of a soft inquiry is the promotional inquiry that is posted when your credit file is accessed in connection with a pre-screened offer.  Here are a few examples of different types of inquiries and their abbreviations:

•     AM = Account monitored by an existing creditor
•     AR = Account reviewed by an existing creditor
•     PRM = Promotional inquiries  (for example, for preapproved offers)
•     EFX / CD = Equifax inquiries includes updates and disclosure and all CD inquiries 

help.equifax.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/241/~/key-terms-found-in-your-us-credit-file-defined.#Inquiries

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So did you perhaps contact DirectTV about starting service and give them permission?   Now if you had contacted DirectTV..your issue is with them.  If you didn't then file a dispute with Equifax just like you would any other issue on your credit.

Oh and one other item.  You better check all 3 Credit Reports to see if it shows up on the other ones.  Also, realize that yes a hard inquiry can lower your credit score, but unless you are a "borderline" case the minor reduction in points in the short term it would cause will not affect your overall "rating".  That is you are not going to go from Excellent to Very Poor after one inquiry.