Can I Get a Hard Inquiry Removed From My Credit Report?

A hard inquiry on a credit report occurs when a lender reviews a credit file as part of an application for new credit, such as a loan or credit card. These inquiries are a standard part of the credit application process. Consumers often seek to understand if and how they might be removed from their credit history.

What Hard Inquiries Are

A hard inquiry, sometimes known as a “hard pull” or “hard credit check,” occurs when a lender checks an individual’s credit report with their permission during the process of applying for new credit. This happens for applications like mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, or personal loans. Each hard inquiry recorded on a credit report includes the date of the inquiry and the name of the creditor that made the request.

In contrast, a soft inquiry, or “soft pull,” happens when a person checks their own credit, or when a company pre-qualifies an individual for an offer without a formal application. These soft inquiries do not impact a credit score and are often only visible to the consumer. Hard inquiries, however, can temporarily affect a credit score, typically by a few points. Hard inquiries generally remain on a credit report for up to two years, though their effect on a credit score usually diminishes after 12 months.

When a Hard Inquiry Can Be Removed

Removing a hard inquiry from a credit report is generally possible only under specific circumstances where the inquiry is inaccurate or unauthorized. If a hard inquiry appears due to identity theft, fraud, or a reporting error, it can be disputed and potentially removed. This includes situations where someone applies for credit in another person’s name without their consent, or if there is a mistaken identity leading to an incorrect inquiry.

A hard inquiry resulting from a legitimate credit application initiated by the consumer cannot be removed. If an individual applied for a loan or credit card and authorized the credit check, the inquiry is considered valid and will remain on the credit report. Disputing a legitimate inquiry will likely not result in its removal.

Steps for Disputing Inquiries

Disputing an unauthorized or inaccurate hard inquiry requires careful preparation and documentation. The initial step involves gathering all relevant information, including a copy of your credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to identify the specific inquiry. If identity theft is suspected, secure a police report or an Identity Theft Report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via IdentityTheft.gov.

Additional documentation might include proof of non-application or communications with the creditor about the error. It can be helpful to contact the creditor that made the inquiry first to see if they can verify the details or acknowledge a mistake. This direct communication can sometimes resolve the issue more quickly if it’s a simple reporting error. If the creditor confirms an error, request that they send a letter to each credit reporting agency to remove the inquiry.

Once documentation is prepared, submit a formal dispute with each of the credit bureaus reporting the inaccurate inquiry. Disputes can be filed online through the credit bureau’s website, by mail, or by phone. When filing, clearly state that the inquiry is unauthorized or inaccurate and provide all supporting documents, such as the police report, FTC report, or any correspondence with the creditor. Include personal identification documents, like a government-issued ID and proof of address, to verify your identity.

After submitting the dispute, the credit bureaus are legally required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act to investigate the claim, typically within 30 days. They will contact the data furnisher—the creditor that made the inquiry—to verify the information. If the investigation determines the inquiry was unauthorized or inaccurate, it will be removed from your credit report. You will be notified of the outcome of the investigation, and if changes are made, your report will be updated.

Understanding Inquiries That Remain

Many hard inquiries appearing on a credit report are legitimate and will consequently remain. These inquiries are a normal outcome of applying for new credit, as lenders perform a credit check to assess a borrower’s creditworthiness. When an individual authorizes a credit application, they implicitly consent to this type of inquiry, and therefore, these valid entries cannot be removed. The presence of such inquiries reflects a consumer’s recent credit-seeking behavior, which is a factor considered by potential lenders.

While a hard inquiry can cause a small, temporary dip in a credit score, its influence lessens over time. For those with an established credit history, the impact of a single hard inquiry is often minimal, usually less than five points. Multiple inquiries for the same type of loan, such as a mortgage or auto loan, within a short “shopping window” (typically 14 to 45 days), are often treated as a single inquiry by credit scoring models, which helps mitigate their collective impact.