How to Get Rid of Hard Inquiries on Your Credit Report

A hard inquiry on your credit report can impact your financial standing. When you apply for new credit, such as a loan or credit card, lenders often perform a “hard pull” of your credit report. This results in a hard inquiry appearing on your credit file. While the impact is generally small and temporary, multiple inquiries in a short period might signal to lenders that you are a higher risk, potentially affecting your ability to secure new credit or favorable terms. This article outlines the process for addressing hard inquiries on your credit report, guiding you through identifying those eligible for removal, preparing your case, and submitting your dispute.

Understanding Hard Inquiries

A hard inquiry, also known as a “hard pull” or “hard credit check,” occurs when a lender or company reviews your credit report as part of a credit application process. This typically happens when you apply for products like a mortgage, auto loan, personal loan, or a new credit card. Hard inquiries are recorded on your credit report and can remain there for up to two years, though their impact on your credit score usually diminishes after 12 months.

It is important to distinguish hard inquiries from soft inquiries. A soft inquiry occurs when you check your own credit report, or when a potential lender pre-screens you for an offer. Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score and are not visible to lenders; they are generally related to account reviews, pre-approved offers, or employment verification. Unlike hard inquiries, soft inquiries are not the target of removal efforts as they do not negatively impact your creditworthiness.

Identifying Inquiries for Removal

Not all hard inquiries can be removed from your credit report. A legitimate hard inquiry, one that you authorized by applying for credit, cannot typically be removed before its natural expiration of up to two years. The focus for removal is on inquiries that are unauthorized, fraudulent, or the result of a clerical error. If an inquiry appears on your report without your consent, it may be eligible for dispute.

An unauthorized inquiry could stem from identity theft, where someone applied for credit in your name without your knowledge. A clerical error might involve a mistaken entry by a creditor, or an inquiry appearing due to a misidentification. In such cases, the inquiry is inaccurate and does not reflect a legitimate application on your part. Carefully review your credit report for any inquiries you do not recognize or cannot associate with a specific credit application.

Preparing Your Dispute

Before initiating a dispute, gather all necessary documentation to support your claim. Begin by obtaining a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report weekly from each bureau through AnnualCreditReport.com. Review each report thoroughly to identify the specific hard inquiries you wish to dispute, noting the creditor’s name and the date of the inquiry.

For unauthorized or fraudulent inquiries, specific evidence is crucial. This might include a police report if you are a victim of identity theft, or a letter from the lender confirming that no application was made by you. If you believe it is a clerical error, any correspondence or records showing the inquiry was not authorized could be helpful. You will also need to include personal identification information such as your full name, current address, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity with the credit bureaus.

Submitting Your Dispute

Once you have identified the inquiries for removal and gathered all supporting documentation, formally submit your dispute to the relevant credit bureaus. Each of the three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—offers online dispute portals, mail addresses, and phone numbers for submitting disputes. While online submission can be quick, sending disputes via certified mail with a return receipt requested is recommended to maintain a clear record of submission.

When submitting, clearly state the reason for your dispute for each inquiry, such as “unauthorized” or “fraudulent.” Include copies, not originals, of all supporting documents. For online disputes, navigate to the dispute center on the credit bureau’s website, select the item to dispute, and upload your documents. If mailing, send your dispute letter and copies of documents to the bureau’s designated dispute address.

After submission, credit bureaus generally have 30 to 45 days to investigate your claim and notify you of their findings. If the investigation determines the inquiry was inaccurate or unauthorized, it will be removed from your credit report.