How to Remove a Hard Inquiry From Your Credit Report

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. This type of inquiry is typically made when you apply for new credit, such as a credit card, a mortgage, an auto loan, or certain personal loans. Each hard inquiry is recorded on your credit report and can influence your credit score. This article provides guidance on identifying and addressing certain hard inquiries on your credit report.

Understanding Hard Inquiries on Your Credit Report

A hard inquiry is a formal request by a potential creditor to view your credit report when you apply for new credit. Lenders perform a hard inquiry to assess your creditworthiness for new credit, such as a credit card, mortgage, or auto loan. This action is recorded on your credit report and can remain for up to two years, though its impact on your credit score usually lessens after 12 months.

Hard inquiries differ from “soft inquiries,” which do not affect your credit score. Soft inquiries occur when you check your own credit report, or when a company pre-approves you for an offer without a formal application. These checks are often used for background verification, promotional offers, or employment screening and are not visible to other lenders.

The impact of a single hard inquiry on your credit score is generally minor, often resulting in a drop of fewer than five points. However, multiple hard inquiries in a short period can have a more significant effect, signaling to lenders that you may be taking on too much new debt. For specific loans like mortgages or auto loans, multiple inquiries within a defined shopping period (typically 14 to 45 days) are often treated as a single inquiry. This allows consumers to compare offers without their score being penalized for each separate inquiry.

Identifying Inquiries Eligible for Removal

Only specific types of hard inquiries can be removed from your credit report. Legitimate hard inquiries, which you authorized by applying for credit, cannot be removed and will remain on your report for approximately two years, even if your application was denied.

Inquiries that can be removed typically fall into three categories:

• Unauthorized inquiries that appear on your report without your permission or a legitimate purpose.
• Inquiries resulting from identity theft or fraud.
• Inquiries due to data entry errors by lenders or credit bureaus.

To identify potentially eligible inquiries, you should regularly review your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each bureau annually through AnnualCreditReport.com. Carefully examine each hard inquiry listed, noting the date, the name of the inquiring creditor, and whether you recall authorizing that specific credit check. Any inquiry that seems unfamiliar or unauthorized warrants further investigation.

Steps to Dispute an Inaccurate or Unauthorized Inquiry

Once you have identified an inquiry that you believe is inaccurate or unauthorized, the next step is to initiate a formal dispute. Before contacting the credit bureaus, gather any documentation that supports your claim. This might include proof that you did not apply for the credit, such as a sworn affidavit of identity theft, a police report, or any correspondence from the creditor that indicates an error.

To dispute an inquiry, contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually. Each bureau offers multiple methods for initiating a dispute, including online portals, mail, and sometimes by phone. Using the online dispute portal is often the quickest method, but sending a dispute by certified mail with a return receipt requested provides a clear record of your communication.

When submitting your dispute, provide all necessary information, including your full name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. Clearly identify the specific inquiry you are disputing by providing the creditor’s name and the date of the inquiry. Explain your reason for the dispute, such as “unauthorized inquiry” or “identity theft,” and include copies of any supporting documents you collected. Do not send original documents.

After you submit your dispute, the credit bureau has a legal obligation to investigate the claim, typically within 30 to 45 days. They will contact the creditor who made the inquiry to verify its legitimacy. You will be notified of the investigation’s outcome; if successful, the inquiry will be removed from your credit report. If the inquiry remains, the bureau will provide a reason. Regularly check your credit reports after the dispute period to ensure the inquiry has been removed.

Preventing Unwanted Hard Inquiries

Proactive measures can help minimize unwanted or unnecessary hard inquiries on your credit report. Regularly monitor your credit reports; you can obtain a free copy from each of the three major credit bureaus once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. Consistent review allows you to promptly identify any unfamiliar or unauthorized inquiries.

Understanding when you are authorizing a credit check is also important. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before submitting an application for any product or service that might involve a credit check. If you are unsure whether an application will result in a hard inquiry, ask the lender or service provider directly. Being informed can prevent accidental authorizations.

Consider implementing a credit freeze or credit lock on your credit reports. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit file, preventing new creditors from performing hard inquiries unless you temporarily lift it. This is an effective deterrent against identity theft and unauthorized inquiries. A credit lock offers similar protection but often provides more immediate control through a mobile app. You would need to set up a freeze or lock with each major credit bureau individually.

Finally, practice selective application for new credit. Avoid applying for multiple lines of credit unnecessarily or in a short timeframe, especially if not for rate shopping purposes. Each application can result in a hard inquiry, and too many inquiries can signal increased risk to lenders. By being mindful of your credit applications, you can maintain better control over the inquiries appearing on your report.