Can You Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report?

A hard inquiry appears on your credit report when a lender or creditor checks your credit history after you apply for new credit. These inquiries can slightly impact your credit score and remain on your report for up to two years. This article explains how to identify and dispute hard inquiries that are incorrect or unauthorized.

Identifying Removable Hard Inquiries

A hard inquiry, also known as a hard pull or hard credit check, occurs when you apply for new credit, such as a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card. Lenders review your credit report to assess your creditworthiness. While these inquiries can temporarily lower your credit score, they typically affect scoring models for about 12 months, remaining on your report for up to two years. Legitimate hard inquiries, those you authorized, cannot be removed.

However, you can dispute and potentially remove hard inquiries that are erroneous or unauthorized. An unauthorized inquiry occurs when a credit check is performed without your explicit consent or a valid reason. This could indicate identity theft. For instance, an inquiry from a company you never applied to, or one resulting from fraudulent use of your information, is considered unauthorized. Such an inquiry indicates potential fraud or identity theft.

An erroneous inquiry might involve a mistake by the creditor or credit bureau. This could include a duplicate inquiry for the same application or an inquiry listed incorrectly due to a data entry error. Multiple inquiries for the same type of loan, like a mortgage or auto loan, within a short period are often grouped and treated as a single inquiry by scoring models.

To identify potentially removable hard inquiries, regularly review your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each bureau once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. Carefully examine the “inquiries” section for any unrecognized or incorrect entries.

Preparing Your Dispute

Before initiating a dispute, gathering all necessary information and supporting documentation is crucial to strengthen your case for removing an unauthorized or erroneous hard inquiry.

Begin by compiling essential personal identification documents. This includes a copy of government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license or state ID, and proof of your current address, like a recent utility bill or bank statement. You may also need to provide a copy of your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. Two forms of identification are required to verify your identity.

Next, gather specific details about the hard inquiry you intend to dispute. This includes the full name of the creditor, the exact date the inquiry appeared on your report, and any associated account numbers. Clearly state why you believe the inquiry is unauthorized or erroneous.

Evidence supporting your claim is important. If the inquiry is due to identity theft, a police report or an Identity Theft Report filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) serves as evidence. For erroneous inquiries, such as a mistaken entry or a duplicate, you might need a statement from the creditor confirming no application was made, or documentation demonstrating a processing error. Keep original documents for your records and send copies with your dispute.

Initiating the Dispute Process

Once you have gathered all necessary information and supporting documentation, submit your dispute to the credit bureaus. Dispute the inquiry with each credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) that shows the unauthorized or erroneous entry, as they maintain separate records. Each bureau has its own process for handling disputes, including online portals, mail, and sometimes phone.

Submitting disputes online is often the quickest method, allowing for immediate document submission and providing a confirmation number for tracking. When using online portals, navigate to the dispute center on the bureau’s website and upload your documents. Alternatively, send a dispute letter by mail. This letter should clearly identify the disputed item, explain the reason for the dispute, and include copies of all supporting evidence and personal identification. Sending mail disputes via certified mail with a return receipt requested provides proof of delivery.

While phone disputes are possible, they may not always be sufficient for complex issues like unauthorized inquiries, which often require detailed documentation. Ensure your full name, current address, date of birth, and Social Security number are clearly provided to help the bureau identify your file. Keep a detailed record of your dispute, including submission dates, confirmation numbers, and copies of all correspondence.

Following Up on Your Dispute

After submitting your dispute, credit bureaus are required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to investigate your claim within a specific timeframe, typically 30 days. This period may extend to 45 days if you submitted additional information. The credit bureau will contact the creditor that furnished the inquiry to verify its accuracy and legitimacy.

Once the investigation is complete, the credit bureau will send you written results. The inquiry is either removed if found unauthorized or erroneous, or it remains if verified as legitimate.

If the inquiry is removed, verify it has been taken off all your credit reports. If the inquiry is verified and remains, it means the bureau found sufficient evidence that it was legitimate. Legitimate inquiries cannot be removed, but their impact on your credit score diminishes after 12 months, and they fall off your report after two years.