How to Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report

Credit reports summarize an individual’s financial history, detailing how they manage borrowed money. Compiled by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, these reports track credit accounts, payment history, and inquiries. Understanding inquiries helps in grasping their impact on one’s financial standing. Lenders, landlords, and other entities regularly access these records to assess creditworthiness.

Types of Credit Inquiries

Credit inquiries appear on a credit report whenever a party requests to view an individual’s credit information. These inquiries fall into two main categories: hard inquiries and soft inquiries. Each type has distinct characteristics regarding visibility, impact on credit scores, and duration on the credit report.

Hard inquiries, or “hard pulls,” occur when applying for new credit like a mortgage, auto loan, student loan, or credit card. They signal to lenders that an individual is seeking additional credit, influencing lending decisions. A hard inquiry can temporarily lower a credit score by a few points, though the impact is minimal and short-lived. While hard inquiries remain on a credit report for up to two years, their effect on credit scores diminishes after 12 months. When rate shopping for loans like mortgages or auto loans, multiple inquiries within 14 to 45 days are counted as a single inquiry to mitigate score impact.

Soft inquiries, or “soft pulls,” occur when a credit report is accessed for purposes other than a new credit application. Examples include checking one’s own credit report, pre-approvals for credit offers, employment background checks, or identity verification by utility providers. Soft inquiries do not affect credit scores and are only visible to the individual checking their own report. Like hard inquiries, soft inquiries remain on a credit report for up to two years, carrying no negative impact on creditworthiness.

Eligibility for Inquiry Removal

Not all credit inquiries can be removed from a credit report. Only inaccurate or unauthorized hard inquiries are eligible for removal. An inaccurate inquiry does not accurately reflect an individual’s credit activity. This includes inquiries for uninitiated applications or those resulting from identity theft. If an individual did not authorize a hard inquiry, they have the right to dispute its presence.

Conversely, accurate hard inquiries, authorized by an individual when applying for credit, cannot be removed. These are legitimate records of credit-seeking behavior and remain on the report for up to two years. Soft inquiries, which do not impact credit scores, are not candidates for removal. The removal process corrects errors or fraudulent activity, not legitimate credit history. Disputing an authorized inquiry will not result in its removal.

Steps to Dispute Inaccurate Inquiries

Disputing an inaccurate or unauthorized hard inquiry involves a structured process for credit bureaus to investigate and correct the error.

First, obtain copies of your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Individuals are entitled to one free credit report from each bureau annually through AnnualCreditReport.com. Review all three reports, as information may vary.

Once obtained, carefully examine each report to identify the inaccurate or unauthorized hard inquiry. Pay close attention to the name of the company that made the inquiry and the date it occurred. If an inquiry appears unfamiliar, contact the company directly to verify its legitimacy before initiating a formal dispute. In some cases, a company may operate under a different name or be an affiliate of a recognized lender.

Gathering supporting documentation is crucial for a successful dispute. This evidence helps substantiate the claim that the inquiry is inaccurate or unauthorized. Useful documents might include personal records demonstrating no application was made, police reports if identity theft is suspected, or any communication with the creditor confirming the lack of authorization. While not always required, providing relevant documentation can strengthen the dispute.

Next, draft a formal dispute letter to each credit bureau reporting the inaccurate inquiry. The letter should clearly state your personal information, including your full name, address, Social Security number, and credit report confirmation number if available. Clearly identify the specific inquiry, including the company name and date, and state that you did not authorize it. Request that the inquiry be removed from your credit report.

Send the dispute letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested. This provides proof that the letter was sent and received by the credit bureau. Each credit bureau also offers online dispute portals to submit and track disputes. Some individuals may also choose to dispute by phone, though written documentation offers a clearer record.

While disputing with credit bureaus, also contact the original creditor, especially if the inquiry was unauthorized. This direct communication can expedite the process or provide additional clarity. If the creditor confirms the inquiry was unauthorized, they may be able to assist in its removal or provide documentation for the credit bureau dispute.

After submitting the dispute, the credit bureau is required to investigate the claim within 30 days. This timeframe can extend to 45 days if additional documentation is submitted during the investigation. During this period, the bureau will contact the company that made the inquiry to verify its legitimacy. If the investigation determines the inquiry was unauthorized or inaccurate, it will be removed from your credit report. The credit bureau will notify you of the outcome in writing and provide an updated credit report if a change was made.