How to Get Hard Inquiries Off Your Credit

A hard inquiry occurs when a lender or creditor checks your credit report after you apply for new credit, such as a loan or a credit card. These inquiries can slightly lower your credit score for a short period, typically by a few points. While the impact is usually temporary, this article outlines the general process to remove inaccurate or unauthorized hard inquiries from your credit report.

Situations for Hard Inquiry Removal

Hard inquiries can be removed from a credit report under specific circumstances. This includes inaccurate inquiries, such as those for accounts you never applied for or containing incorrect information. Unauthorized inquiries, where someone applies for credit in your name without permission, often due to identity theft, are also eligible. For unauthorized inquiries, obtaining a police report or an identity theft affidavit is an important step.

Legitimate hard inquiries from authorized credit applications cannot be removed, even if the application was denied. These inquiries typically fall off your credit report automatically after two years.

Preparing Your Dispute

Before initiating any formal dispute, gather all necessary information and documentation. Obtain your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion via AnnualCreditReport.com, which offers one free report weekly from each bureau. Identify the specific hard inquiries you wish to dispute on each report.

For each inquiry, gather the creditor’s name and the inquiry date. Determine the precise reason for your dispute, such as not applying for the credit or an error. Supporting documentation is crucial for your claim, which may include proof you did not apply, an identity theft report, or relevant creditor correspondence. Include personal identifying information like your full name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth for verification.

Disputing with Credit Reporting Agencies

Once your dispute is prepared, submit it to the three major credit reporting agencies. You can use online dispute portals on each bureau’s website or send a dispute letter via mail, preferably using certified mail with a return receipt requested.

When submitting, include copies, not originals, of all supporting documents. A clear letter explaining your dispute should accompany these. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) mandates that credit bureaus investigate disputes within 30 days, though this period can extend to 45 days if additional information is provided. During this investigation, the credit bureau will contact the creditor to verify the information.

Upon completion of the investigation, the credit bureau must notify you of its findings within five business days. Potential outcomes include the removal of the inquiry if it is found to be inaccurate or unauthorized. If the inquiry is verified as accurate, it will remain on your report.

Disputing Directly with the Creditor

In addition to disputing with credit reporting agencies, you can dispute directly with the creditor that initiated the hard inquiry. This approach can be undertaken concurrently with or after filing a dispute with the credit bureaus. The creditor’s contact information is often listed on your credit report.

When contacting the creditor, draft a formal letter or make a phone call to state your dispute. Provide the supporting evidence you prepared previously, detailing why you believe the inquiry is inaccurate or unauthorized. Request written confirmation of their investigation and any corrective action. The FCRA requires creditors to investigate disputes within 30 days of receiving information and respond within five business days of their decision.

The creditor may agree to remove the inquiry if they find it to be an error or unauthorized. If they agree to remove it, they are responsible for notifying the credit bureaus to update your report accordingly. This direct engagement can sometimes lead to a quicker resolution, especially if the error originated on the creditor’s end.

Minimizing Future Hard Inquiries

To minimize future hard inquiries, apply for new credit only when a genuine need exists and when you are reasonably confident of approval. Each application for new credit typically results in a hard inquiry.

Understand the distinction between pre-qualification and a full application. Pre-qualification involves a “soft pull” of your credit, which does not impact your score, while a full application results in a hard inquiry. When shopping for certain types of loans, such as a mortgage, auto loan, or student loan, multiple inquiries within a short timeframe are often treated as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. FICO scoring models typically allow a 45-day window, while VantageScore models use a 14-day rolling window for this rate shopping protection. Concentrating your applications within these specific windows can help mitigate the impact of multiple inquiries.

Regularly monitoring your credit reports is also important to quickly identify and address any unauthorized inquiries. Promptly reviewing these reports allows for the timely detection of any discrepancies.