How to Get Hard Inquiries Removed From Your Credit Report
Master your credit report. Learn the precise conditions and steps to remove inaccurate or unauthorized hard inquiries affecting your financial record.
A hard inquiry occurs when a lender or company reviews your credit report as part of an application for new credit, such as a loan or credit card. While most hard inquiries are legitimate and remain on your credit report, specific circumstances allow for their removal. This guide outlines these situations and the steps involved.
Understanding Hard Inquiries
A hard inquiry happens when you formally apply for credit, like a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card. This differs from a “soft inquiry,” which occurs when you check your own credit report, receive a pre-approved offer, or when a potential employer conducts a background check. Soft inquiries do not impact your credit score and are not visible to lenders, while hard inquiries are recorded on your credit report and can be seen by other creditors.
Hard inquiries can slightly affect your credit score. A single hard inquiry typically results in a minor decrease, often fewer than five points. However, multiple hard inquiries within a short period, especially for different types of credit, can have a more significant impact. Hard inquiries remain on your credit report for up to two years, though their influence on your credit score diminishes after 12 months.
Conditions for Hard Inquiry Removal
A hard inquiry can only be removed from your credit report if it is inaccurate, unauthorized, or the result of fraudulent activity. An unauthorized inquiry appears when you did not apply for the credit or grant permission for a credit check. This could be due to a lender error or identity theft. An inquiry may also be removable if it contains incorrect information, such as a wrong date or lender name, or if it belongs to someone else due to a mixed credit file.
To prepare for a dispute, gather documentation. Obtain copies of your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Identify the specific inquiry you believe is erroneous, noting its date and the name of the inquiring entity. Collect evidence that demonstrates the inquiry is unauthorized or incorrect, such as a police report if identity theft is suspected, or correspondence confirming you did not apply for the credit.
Process for Disputing Hard Inquiries
Initiate a dispute with the relevant credit bureaus. Contact Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion if the inquiry appears on multiple reports. Each bureau offers online, mail, and phone options for submitting disputes.
When disputing, clearly state the hard inquiry you are challenging and explain why it is inaccurate or unauthorized. Provide copies of all supporting documents, such as proof you did not apply for the credit or a police report for identity theft. Sending your dispute by certified mail with a return receipt can provide proof of delivery, though online portals are also available. Some bureaus may suggest contacting the lender first to confirm an error, which can then be used in your dispute.
Contacting the original lender directly can also be beneficial. The lender may confirm an error or verify the inquiry was unauthorized, which can expedite removal. After submitting your dispute, credit bureaus have 30 to 45 days to investigate the claim. If the investigation confirms the inquiry was unauthorized or inaccurate, it will be removed from your credit report. Regularly monitor your credit reports after the dispute to ensure the inquiry has been removed and to check for any other unauthorized activity.