How to Get Hard Inquiries Off Your Credit Report

Hard inquiries on your credit report occur when a lender reviews your creditworthiness after you apply for new credit. While a single inquiry has minimal impact, multiple inquiries in a short period can signal increased risk to future lenders. This article explains when hard inquiries can be removed and outlines the process.

The Nature of Hard Inquiries

A hard inquiry, sometimes called a “hard pull” or “hard credit check,” occurs when a financial institution accesses your credit report to make a lending decision. This is distinct from a “soft inquiry,” which happens when you check your own credit report, or when a company pre-approves you for an offer without you formally applying. Soft inquiries do not impact your credit score and are often not visible to other lenders. Common scenarios that trigger a hard inquiry include applying for a new credit card, seeking a mortgage, requesting an auto loan, or obtaining a personal loan. These inquiries typically remain on your credit report for up to two years. However, their influence on your credit score generally diminishes after 12 months. Hard inquiries usually cause a small, temporary dip in your credit score, often by fewer than five points.

Identifying Inquiries for Removal

Only hard inquiries that are inaccurate or unauthorized can typically be removed from your credit report. An inaccurate inquiry might stem from a clerical error, while an unauthorized inquiry could indicate identity theft where someone applied for credit in your name without your permission. It is important to distinguish between these and legitimate inquiries you authorized.

To begin the identification process, you should obtain your credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Federal law, specifically the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), entitles you to a free copy of your credit report from each bureau annually through AnnualCreditReport.com.

Carefully review each report for any hard inquiries you do not recognize, inquiries made without your explicit consent, or duplicate inquiries for a single application. Note down specific details for any suspicious inquiry, including the date it occurred, the name of the creditor, and the type of credit requested. Gathering supporting documentation, such as records of applications or correspondence, can strengthen your case if you need to dispute an inquiry.

The Process for Disputing Inaccurate Inquiries

Once you have identified an inaccurate or unauthorized hard inquiry, you can initiate a dispute with the relevant credit bureau. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants consumers the right to dispute information on their credit reports that they believe is inaccurate or unverifiable. Each of the three major credit bureaus provides specific methods for submitting disputes.

You can typically dispute an inquiry online through the credit bureau’s dispute portal. This method often allows you to upload supporting documents directly. Alternatively, you can send a dispute letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested, which provides proof of delivery. This letter should clearly state the inaccurate inquiry, reference the information you gathered, and include copies of any supporting evidence.

The credit bureaus are generally required to investigate your dispute within 30 to 45 days. During this period, the bureau will contact the creditor that made the inquiry to verify its legitimacy. Following the investigation, the bureau will notify you of the outcome; if the inquiry is found to be unauthorized or cannot be verified, it should be removed from your report.

Understanding Legitimate Inquiries

Legitimate hard inquiries, those you authorized by applying for credit, generally cannot be removed from your credit report before their natural expiration. These inquiries serve as a record of your credit-seeking behavior and are a factor lenders consider when assessing your risk. Credit bureaus and creditors maintain these records to provide a comprehensive view of your financial activities.