I think my credit reports were looked at without permission

[jessicazi]

I was looking at trading in my car for a better one and was at a local Lithia dealership. I signed a paper, I thought, authorizing the dealership/banks to look at my credit report for this ONE car I was going to buy. Unfortunately, the car was sold and I started looking at two other cars. Next thing I know is I get a letter from Bank of America denying credit for the original car. I accidentally lost the letter, so I don't remember much besides the fact I was denied credit, which was fine, because I wasn't going to trade in my car anyways. My concern is the paper I signed was for a car I never had a chance of getting because it was sold, so I think they used that paper to get credit for another car.

What should I do? I have tried emailing the finance manager at the local Lithia, and he has not replied to my message. Should I go into the dealership (or call) and ask for clarification on what happened? Where could I find the laws regarding checking credit reports without authorization for the state of Idaho?

Thank you so much,

Jessica

[lenidog]

1. Actually you credit report gets looked at all the time

not the full report mind you but it still does. What it sounds like happened is that the salesman jumped the gun a little bit and sent you info through to see if you would get the loan. So all he would have to do is present it to you and try to sway you. What you want to do is order a credit report. See if anything is amiss and trust me that is damn common. I just got finished fighting with the credit reporting companies. Somehow at the ripe old age of 33 I retired and no one bothered to tell me about it. One of the things a report will tell you is who has looked at your credit rating recently. Then go from there if there are any mistakes or problems

[hfojvt]

2. you can ask the credit reporting agency

Trans-Union or Experian should have a number to call. Having been refused, you have a right to a free report. To me, the refusal is more important than the checking. It seems to me the dealership probably could check your credit for financing any car once you signed authorization.