rental car agency ran my credit?

I think I would dispute that...did you rent a car recently around that time? If you filled out the application for the rental car that is probably where they got your social security number from.

I reserved a rental car online in April but my husband actually picked it up, I did not ride in it or drive it at all. I did not give them my social security number nor did my husband give them mine or his. We don't give them out. Who do I dispute it to? Do I call the rental agency or do I call all three credit bureaus?

I would send letters to all of them and dispute that..I don't know how they got that information. That is scary if you didn't provide that to them how they got it is beyond me.

Truth be told, a company doesn't actually need a person's social in order to run their credit. They can pull a report just using name and address.

You should check any paperwork that you received. Hidden in the fint print, you might have given them authorization.

If not, then you should contact them directly; ask why they pulled your bureau, what justification they have, and if they cannot provide your authorization then demand they remove their inquiry.

Does a rental car inquiry lower your credit score the same way that an inquiry does when you apply for a credit card or loan?

It depends where it is showing also. Some items are viewed by others which can hurt your score.

Items under the only viewed by you section have no effect.

Most rental car companies are pulling credit if you are not paying with a credit card these days.They argue it is legal because the act of rental is a extension of credit based on car value. Use a credit card for rentals and this should not happen.

I did use my credit card to reserve/pay for it.

It was in the column listed "might affect credit score" as opposed to "will not"

If you used a real credit card with sufficient limits to cover transaction of the rental,I would lean towards them not having a reason to pull.

Does anyone know if I should call the local rental office where my husband picked up the car, or should I call the 800# customer service about this?

I'd lean towards the 800# / customer service. You should be better able to get to someone who could explain what they did and why.

okay great thanks I'll do that and I'll let you all know what the outcome is ...

well here's the update:

I called Dollar rental car, which is the name that appeared on my credit report. After 20 minutes or so of wading through reservations, she mentioned that Dollar has "sister" rental car agencies, one of which includes Thrifty rental cars. I DID rent a car from Thrifty around the same time when I was out of town, and I did use my Debit card because someone stole my card at a gas station (long story!) and the new card had not been delivered yet.

So now does this mean that I can't dispute Dollar being on my credit report? The customer service representative said it was "all there" online when you reserve with a debit card. I tried to look on the Thrifty website but it is down and I can't see anything other than the main page.

Any suggestions?

From the Thrifty website:

[quote]G. Debit Card Usage: If the customer presents a debit card at the beginning of rental to qualify to rent, we will perform a debit card check and credit inquiry screening through Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc. This type of inquiry will screen out customers who present a greater driving risk to us, using a standard set of criteria. The credit inquiry is posted on the customer's credit report and may have an effect on the customer's credit evaluation. In the event that a customer's debit card check and credit inquiry fail to meet our debit card criteria, the customer will not be allowed to rent unless they provide a major credit card in their own name. Our debit card policy complies with all U.S. federal and state laws. Debit cards are accepted for payment at the end of rental without a credit inquiry . Debit cards may not be accepted in Canada. Since the credit requirements vary by THRIFTY location, please refer to the location's Terms & Conditions for specific information on the acceptance and usage of debit cards where you intend to rent a THRIFTY vehicle.[/quote]

Well the fact that a debit card was used gives them a reason to pull credit. If you want pull removed,I would use google for a web search to find the head boss of the company & ask nicely to recode the inquiry to a soft pull.

Dispute the INQ thru EQ. I live in a CSC state and was able to remove all but 2 INQ's on my EQ report:

Go here https://www.econsumer.equifax.com/co...online_dispute and enter in your zip code. At the top of the next page right under the Red Colored Welcome Message, you can select "click here" if you dont have a confirmation number. Enter your personal info and when you get to the dispute page enter

INQ - Dollar RAC x/xx/200x
and check not mine

what reason do I list for disputing/removing the item?

I am looking at the online dispute area of my credit report and it does not have a section to dispute inquiries ... what do I do?

What Credit Bureau are you referring to? All three of the biggies do have a section to dispute, but you need to be signed in before you have that option available. :)

Equifax ... I am signed in and am able to dispute items listed under "adverse" accounts, but not inquiries?

I think I'll mail in my corrections via the US mail, it might take a few extra days but surely they'll act on it?

(fingers crossed of course!)

There isn't a section for disputing INQ's. You have to type it in:

XYZ Rent a car
INQ XYZ RAC x/xx/xxx
check "not mine"