How to Get Rid of Hard Inquiries Fast

Hard inquiries, also known as “hard pulls” or “hard credit checks,” occur when a lender or company reviews your credit report as part of a credit application process. These inquiries typically happen when you apply for a mortgage, car loan, credit card, or other forms of credit. A hard inquiry signifies to potential creditors that you are seeking new credit, and this information can temporarily influence your credit score.

While a single hard inquiry usually causes a small, temporary dip in your credit score, often by fewer than five points, multiple inquiries in a short timeframe can have a more noticeable impact. This is because frequently seeking new credit might be perceived by lenders as an increased risk. This article guides you through proactive methods for addressing hard inquiries on your credit report, focusing on how to remove those that are inaccurate or unauthorized.

Identifying Hard Inquiries on Your Credit Report

The initial step in managing hard inquiries involves locating them on your credit reports. You are legally entitled to a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The official and federally authorized website for obtaining these reports is AnnualCreditReport.com.

You can access your reports online or request them by phone or mail. It is advisable to review all three reports, as information may vary between bureaus. Once obtained, navigate to the section typically labeled “inquiries,” “hard inquiries,” or “requests viewed by others.”

Within this section, examine each entry for key details. Look for the date the inquiry occurred, the name of the creditor, and the type of credit requested. This helps you identify any inquiries you do not recognize or believe to be erroneous.

Steps to Dispute Inaccurate Inquiries

If you identify a hard inquiry on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate, you have the right to dispute it with the credit bureaus. Inaccurate inquiries can arise from situations such as identity theft, an unauthorized credit application, or a duplicate inquiry from the same lender. You cannot remove legitimate hard inquiries, but erroneous ones can be challenged.

To dispute an inaccurate inquiry, begin by gathering supporting documentation. For identity theft, this should include an Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov and potentially a police report. For other errors, such as a lender mistakenly processing a soft inquiry as a hard one or a duplicate entry, written statements from the lender confirming the error can be beneficial.

You can submit disputes online, by mail, or by phone. Sending a dispute letter via certified mail with a return receipt provides a documented record of your correspondence. Your dispute letter should clearly state your name, address, the specific inquiry you are disputing, the reason for the dispute, and copies of your supporting evidence.

Upon receiving your dispute, the credit bureau is required to investigate the claim within 30 days. This period can extend to 45 days if you submit additional documentation. The bureau will notify the company that furnished the information, which must investigate and report its findings. If the investigation confirms the information is inaccurate, the inquiry will be removed from your report, and you will receive a free updated credit report.

Approaching Lenders for Removal

Beyond disputing with credit bureaus, directly contacting the original lender can sometimes lead to the removal of a hard inquiry, even if it is technically legitimate. This approach is typically considered when a pre-qualification soft pull was erroneously recorded as a hard inquiry, or as a goodwill gesture by a lender for a valued, long-standing customer.

To pursue this method, identify the specific lender associated with the inquiry on your credit report. You can then contact them by phone or in writing, explaining the situation and asking for the inquiry’s removal. For instance, if you were only seeking pre-approval, emphasize that a full application requiring a hard inquiry was not intended.

Lenders are not obligated to remove legitimate inquiries. Success often depends on the lender’s policies and their relationship with you. This direct communication with the lender is distinct from a formal dispute filed with the credit bureaus and may offer an alternative path for inquiries that do not meet the criteria for an official inaccuracy dispute.