How Long Does It Take Hard Inquiries to Fall Off?

A hard inquiry, also known as a hard pull, occurs when a lender checks your credit report to make a lending decision. These inquiries are recorded on your credit report and typically remain visible for a period of two years. Understanding their presence and impact is important for managing your credit profile.

Understanding Hard Inquiries

A hard inquiry takes place when a financial institution or lender accesses your credit report to evaluate your creditworthiness for a new credit product. This typically happens when you formally apply for a credit card, a personal loan, an auto loan, or a mortgage. Certain rental applications or utility service applications may also trigger a hard inquiry, as providers assess your financial reliability before extending services. Lenders use hard inquiries to gain a comprehensive view of your borrowing history and financial obligations.

In contrast, a soft inquiry, or soft pull, occurs when your credit report is accessed for purposes other than evaluating a new credit application. This can happen when you check your own credit score or report, or when a lender pre-screens you for a credit offer. Soft inquiries do not impact your credit score and are often used for informational purposes or to send targeted marketing offers. The distinction between hard and soft inquiries lies in their impact on your credit score and the intent behind the credit report access.

Locating Hard Inquiries on Your Credit Report

You can locate hard inquiries on your credit report by obtaining a copy from one of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Federal law allows consumers to receive one free credit report annually from each of these bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. This website provides a convenient way to access your reports and review inquiries. Regularly checking your credit reports helps ensure accuracy and identify any unfamiliar activity.

Once you access your credit report, navigate to the section typically labeled “Inquiries” or “Hard Inquiries.” Each entry includes specific details about the credit check. You will see the date and the name of the creditor that initiated the inquiry. This allows you to verify if the inquiry corresponds to a submitted credit application.

The Two-Year Presence of Hard Inquiries

Hard inquiries remain visible on your credit report for two years from the date they were made. While visible for two years, their influence on your credit score significantly lessens over time. The impact typically diminishes after about one year. The inquiry remains on your report as a historical record, even after its direct scoring impact fades.

Disputing Incorrect Hard Inquiries

If you find a hard inquiry on your credit report that you believe is incorrect or unauthorized, you have the right to dispute it. An inquiry might be incorrect if it resulted from identity theft, was made without your explicit permission, or originated from a company you never interacted with. Before initiating a dispute, contact the creditor directly to verify the inquiry’s legitimacy. Gathering evidence, such as proof of no application or an identity theft report, strengthens your case.

To dispute an incorrect hard inquiry, you should contact the specific credit bureau reporting the inaccuracy. You can typically initiate a dispute online through their websites, by mail, or by phone. When filing the dispute, provide the exact details of the inquiry, explain why you believe it is incorrect, and include any supporting documentation you have collected. Credit bureaus are required to investigate your dispute within 30 to 45 days and will notify you of their findings.