How to Get Hard Inquiries Removed From Your Credit Report

A hard inquiry appears on your credit report when a lender or company reviews your credit history in response to an application for new credit, such as a loan or credit card. This action indicates you are seeking additional credit and typically results in a small, temporary decrease in your credit score. This article provides guidance on how to address and potentially remove certain hard inquiries from your credit report.

Identifying Removable Hard Inquiries

Hard inquiries generally remain on your credit report for up to two years, though their impact on your credit score typically lessens after 12 months. These inquiries automatically fall off your report once this two-year period concludes. Legitimate hard inquiries, which occur when you apply for credit with your consent, usually cannot be removed before their natural expiration.

However, certain hard inquiries are eligible for removal from your credit report. This primarily includes inquiries that appear due to error or fraud. For instance, if an inquiry was made without your authorization, perhaps through identity theft, it can be disputed. Similarly, inquiries resulting from clerical mistakes by a lender or a credit bureau are also candidates for removal.

When you apply for a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card, the resulting hard inquiry is typically considered valid. While multiple inquiries for the same type of loan within a short window (e.g., 14 to 45 days) are often grouped as a single inquiry for scoring purposes, they still represent authorized credit-seeking behavior.

Preparing Your Removal Request

Before initiating any formal request for removal, you must gather all necessary information and supporting documentation. Begin by pinpointing the specific hard inquiry on your credit report, noting its date, the creditor’s name, and the type of credit involved. It is advisable to obtain copies of your credit reports from all three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—to ensure you identify all instances of the inquiry.

Next, assemble evidence that supports your reason for removal. If the inquiry was unauthorized due to identity theft, collect a copy of a police report filed for identity theft and an Identity Theft Affidavit, often available through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). For clerical errors, compile correspondence with the creditor acknowledging their mistake. This might include emails, letters, or internal memos from the financial institution confirming the error.

Additionally, prepare essential personal details for identification and verification. This typically includes your full legal name, current and any previous addresses from the last two years, your Social Security Number, and your date of birth. Having these details readily available will expedite the handling of your request by credit bureaus and creditors.

Submitting Your Removal Request

Once all necessary information and documentation are collected, you can proceed with submitting your removal request. You have the option to contact the original creditor directly or reach out to each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Contacting the creditor first can sometimes resolve the issue quickly if it was a simple error.

There are several methods for submitting a dispute. Most credit bureaus offer online dispute portals, which can be a convenient way to submit your claim and upload supporting documents. Alternatively, you can send your request by mail, and using certified mail with a return receipt provides proof of delivery, which is important for your records. While phone contact is possible, written communication is generally recommended for documentation purposes.

Your submission should clearly state the reason for the dispute, whether it is an unauthorized inquiry or a clerical error. Attach all the supporting documentation you prepared, such as police reports, identity theft affidavits, or correspondence from the creditor. Being clear and concise in your dispute letter or online form helps the receiving party understand and process your request efficiently.

Managing Your Removal Request

After submitting your removal request, understanding the subsequent steps and monitoring the process is important. You should typically receive a confirmation of receipt from the credit bureau or creditor, acknowledging your dispute. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), credit bureaus are generally required to investigate your dispute within 30 to 45 days. The 30-day period applies to most disputes, while an additional 15 days may be granted if new information is submitted during the investigation or if the dispute was initiated after accessing your free annual credit report.

Upon completion of the investigation, the credit bureau must notify you of the outcome, usually within five business days. The results will indicate whether the inquiry was removed or verified as legitimate. If the inquiry is removed, it should no longer appear on your credit report.

It is advisable to obtain updated copies of all three credit reports after the investigation period to confirm the removal of the disputed inquiry. If your request is denied or the inquiry is not removed, you have further options. You can appeal the decision with the credit bureau, contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for assistance, or consider seeking legal advice if you believe your rights under the FCRA have been violated.