How to Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report Fast

Credit inquiries appear on a credit report as records of requests made to view an individual’s credit history. While many are legitimate, resulting from new credit applications, inaccurate or unauthorized inquiries can appear. This article provides guidance on how to identify and dispute such entries on a credit report.

Which Inquiries Can Be Removed

Credit inquiries are generally categorized into two types: hard inquiries and soft inquiries. A hard inquiry occurs when a lender checks a consumer’s credit report as part of an application for new credit, such as a loan or credit card. Soft inquiries, however, do not involve a credit application and might happen when a person checks their own credit, or when a potential lender pre-approves an offer.

Only hard inquiries that are unauthorized, fraudulent, or the result of identity theft are eligible for removal from a credit report. Legitimate hard inquiries, those authorized by the consumer, cannot be removed from a credit report and will naturally fall off after about two years. However, if a hard inquiry appears on a report for which no credit application was made, or if it is linked to a fraudulent account, it may be disputed.

Information Needed to Dispute

Before initiating any dispute process, gathering all relevant information and documentation is important. This includes the exact date or dates the inquiry appeared on your credit report and the precise name of the creditor or company that made the inquiry. Having a copy of your credit report, with the specific inquiry highlighted, can be beneficial.

It is also important to clearly articulate the reason for believing the inquiry is inaccurate or unauthorized. This could be a statement such as, “I did not apply for this credit,” “This is a duplicate inquiry,” or “This is a result of identity theft.” Supporting documents are important, which might include a police report if identity theft is involved, or any correspondence with the creditor that clarifies the situation. Personal identifying information, such as your full name, current address, Social Security Number, and date of birth, will be required by credit bureaus for verification purposes.

Steps for Disputing Inquiries

Once all necessary information has been gathered, the formal dispute process can begin. Consumers can dispute inquiries directly with each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This can often be done through their online dispute portals, which are generally the quickest method.

Alternatively, disputes can be submitted by mail, and it is advisable to send copies of supporting documents, not originals. When filing a dispute with a credit bureau, clearly state the specific inquiry you are disputing, referencing the date and creditor name. Provide the reason for the dispute, such as unauthorized activity or an error, along with any supporting evidence collected. Some credit bureaus may also accept disputes by phone.

In addition to contacting the credit bureaus, it is advisable to contact the creditor that made the inquiry directly. Explain why you believe the inquiry is inaccurate and request that they verify the account details or remove the inquiry if it was an error.

What Happens After You Dispute

After a dispute is submitted, credit bureaus are required to investigate the claim. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), this investigation typically takes between 30 and 45 days. Upon completion of the investigation, the credit bureau will communicate its findings. This notification may be sent via mail or through updates on the online dispute portal.

The outcome will either be the removal of the inquiry if it is found to be inaccurate or unauthorized, or its verification if deemed legitimate. If the inquiry is not removed but the consumer still believes it is inaccurate, options include providing additional information for a re-dispute or adding a statement to the credit report explaining the consumer’s perspective. Regular review of credit reports after a dispute is important to confirm the outcome.