How to Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report

A hard inquiry on your credit report can seem concerning. These inquiries are a common part of applying for new credit and typically have a temporary, minor effect on your credit score. While many hard inquiries are legitimate, there are specific situations where an inquiry might be removed from your report. This process involves careful preparation and dispute, focusing on errors or unauthorized activity.

What Hard Inquiries Are

A hard inquiry, also known as a “hard pull” or “hard credit check,” occurs when a lender reviews your credit report in response to a credit application you initiated. This happens when you apply for a new credit card, a loan, or some utility services. The purpose of a hard inquiry is for the potential creditor to determine the risk associated with lending to you.

Hard inquiries differ from “soft inquiries,” which do not impact your credit score. Soft inquiries occur when you check your own credit report, when a lender pre-screens you for an offer, or for non-credit background checks. Hard inquiries remain on your credit report for up to two years. However, most credit scoring models, such as FICO, only consider these inquiries for the first 12 months when calculating your score.

The impact of a single hard inquiry on your credit score is usually small and temporary, often reducing it by fewer than five points. Multiple hard inquiries within a short period, especially for different types of credit, can signal higher risk to lenders, potentially leading to a more noticeable score reduction. However, inquiries for rate shopping on loans like mortgages, auto loans, or student loans, made within 14 to 45 days, are often treated as a single inquiry by scoring models.

When Hard Inquiries Can Be Removed

Legitimate hard inquiries, which result from authorized credit applications, cannot simply be “deleted.” However, a hard inquiry can be removed from your credit report under specific circumstances, generally involving inaccuracies or unauthorized activity.

One reason for removal is an error by the lender or credit bureau. This includes situations where an inquiry appears due to a clerical mistake, or if a lender accidentally pulled your credit when they intended a “soft” inquiry. Such errors mean the inquiry was not a legitimate reflection of a credit application you initiated.

Identity theft or fraud is another valid reason for removal. If an inquiry resulted from someone fraudulently applying for credit in your name, it can be disputed and removed. This often requires official documentation, such as a police report or an Identity Theft Report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

An inquiry made without your permission, even if not linked to identity theft, also qualifies for removal. This includes instances where a lender accessed your credit report without a “permissible purpose” as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). For example, if a company pulled your credit without a valid application or your consent, that inquiry is unauthorized.

Finally, duplicate inquiries for the same application within a short timeframe might be eligible for removal if not correctly grouped by credit scoring models. While many models account for rate shopping by treating multiple inquiries for the same loan type within a specific period as one, genuinely separate and erroneous duplicate entries can be challenged.

Preparing to Dispute an Inquiry

Before initiating a dispute for a hard inquiry, preparation is essential. The process begins with obtaining copies of your credit reports from all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free copy from each bureau once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com, with weekly access now available. Review each report to identify the specific hard inquiry you believe is inaccurate or unauthorized, noting the date and the name of the inquiring entity.

Once the inquiry is identified, gather all evidence supporting your claim for removal. If the inquiry is due to identity theft, you will need an official police report and an Identity Theft Report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). For other errors, such as an inquiry made without your permission, collect any communication with the lender, proof of non-application, or documents demonstrating the inquiry was erroneous. Send copies of documents, not originals.

Determine whether to contact the credit bureaus, the original creditor, or both. It is often beneficial to contact both parties, as both the credit reporting agency and the entity that provided the information have obligations to correct inaccuracies. The credit report typically lists contact information for the inquiring company, which can be a starting point for direct communication.

When drafting your dispute communication, include your complete personal information such as your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. State the specific hard inquiry you are disputing, including its date and the name of the inquiring entity. Explain your reason for the dispute and reference the supporting documents you are providing as evidence.

Submitting Your Dispute

After preparing your documentation, submit your dispute to the relevant parties. You have several avenues for disputing an inquiry with the credit bureaus, including online portals, mail, or phone. Online dispute portals are often the quickest method, allowing for immediate submission of information and supporting documents. When disputing by mail, send your dispute letter and copies of your evidence via certified mail with a return receipt requested, providing proof of delivery.

Upon submission, credit bureaus are required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to investigate your dispute within 30 days, or up to 45 days if you submit additional information. During this period, the bureau will contact the entity that made the inquiry to verify its legitimacy. You will receive a confirmation of your dispute, and the bureau will communicate the results of their investigation, including whether the inquiry will be removed, via mail or their online portal.

In addition to disputing with the credit bureaus, you can contact the lender or creditor directly who made the inquiry. This is useful if you believe the inquiry was a mistake on their part, such as an accidental hard pull or an error in their records. Contact their customer service or dispute department, providing them with the same explanation and supporting documents. If they acknowledge the error, they should notify the credit bureaus to remove the inquiry.

Should your initial dispute be denied, or if the inquiry is not removed, you have further options. You can re-submit your dispute with any additional evidence. If you believe the investigation was not thorough or fair, consider contacting consumer protection agencies. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handle complaints regarding credit reporting and can provide guidance or intervene. Tracking the progress of your dispute and maintaining detailed records of all communications is important.