How to Get a Hard Inquiry Removed From Your Credit Report

Credit inquiries appear on your credit report as a record of who has accessed your credit information and when you have applied for new credit. While most inquiries are legitimate, you may encounter unfamiliar or unauthorized ones. Understanding these inquiries and the conditions for their removal is important for managing your credit profile.

Identifying Removable Inquiries

Credit inquiries are categorized into two types: soft inquiries and hard inquiries. A soft inquiry occurs when you check your own credit report or when a company checks your credit for pre-approval offers or background checks. These inquiries do not affect your credit scores and are typically only visible to you.

A hard inquiry, also known as a “hard pull,” happens when a lender or company reviews your credit report as part of a credit application, such as for a loan or credit card. Hard inquiries can temporarily lower your credit score and remain on your credit report for up to two years, though their impact usually diminishes after the first year. Lenders can only access your credit report if they have a permissible purpose.

Only unauthorized or erroneous hard inquiries are eligible for removal. An unauthorized inquiry might occur due to identity theft, where someone applies for credit in your name without your permission. It could also be an inquiry made by mistake, such as an accidental hard pull or a reporting error. If you find a hard inquiry that you do not recognize or believe was made without your consent, you have the right to dispute it with the credit bureaus. However, legitimate hard inquiries, which you authorized, cannot be removed from your credit report.

Preparing Your Removal Request

Before submitting a request to remove an unauthorized hard inquiry, gather all necessary information and supporting documentation. Obtain copies of your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each bureau once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. Review each report to identify the specific inquiry you wish to dispute.

Note the exact details of the inquiry, including the date, the name of the creditor, and any associated account numbers. To verify your identity, provide personal identification documents, such as a copy of your driver’s license and a recent utility bill. Collect evidence proving the inquiry was unauthorized or erroneous. This could include a police report if identity theft is suspected, written communication from the creditor denying an application you did not make, or proof that you never applied for the credit. Providing comprehensive documentation strengthens your case and can help avoid delays in the investigation process.

Submitting Your Removal Request

Once you have gathered all necessary documentation, submit your removal request to the credit bureaus. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion offer multiple methods for submitting disputes, including online, by mail, and by phone. Submitting disputes online is often the quickest and most convenient method. Each bureau has a dedicated online dispute center where you can initiate the process, upload supporting documents, and track the status of your dispute.

If you prefer to dispute by mail, send a dispute letter along with copies of your supporting documents. Use certified mail with a return receipt to ensure you have proof that your letter was received. While phone options may be available, written communication is recommended for record-keeping. After submission, the credit bureau must investigate your claim within 30 days, though this period can extend to 45 days if you submit additional information or if the dispute is initiated after receiving your free annual credit report. The bureau will contact the data furnisher to verify the accuracy of the disputed item. If the inquiry is found to be unauthorized or inaccurate, it will be removed from your credit report, and you will be notified of the investigation’s results.