How to Remove Inquiries From Your Credit Report

Credit inquiries appear on your credit reports whenever a review of your credit file occurs. Understanding their nature is important for consumers. While many inquiries are a normal part of financial activity, there are specific instances where consumers may seek their removal from a credit report. The process for removal is precise, focusing on inquiries that are either unauthorized or inaccurate.

Understanding Removable Inquiries

Credit inquiries are broadly categorized into two types: soft inquiries and hard inquiries. A soft inquiry, or “soft pull,” occurs when a person or company checks your credit as part of a background check, or when you check your own credit score. These inquiries do not affect your credit scores and are not visible to lenders, meaning they are not a focus for removal. Soft inquiries can happen when a credit card issuer pre-screens you for an offer, or when an employer reviews your credit as part of a hiring process.

A hard inquiry, conversely, occurs when a financial institution reviews your credit report in response to an application for new credit, such as a mortgage, car loan, or credit card. These inquiries require your permission and can cause a temporary, slight decrease in your credit scores, though the impact is minimal and short-lived. Hard inquiries remain on your credit report for up to two years, but affect your credit scores for about one year. Legitimate hard inquiries, those you authorized by applying for credit, cannot be removed from your credit report before their natural expiration.

The focus for removal efforts is on unauthorized or inaccurate hard inquiries. An unauthorized inquiry is a credit check conducted without your explicit consent or a permissible purpose. This could happen due to identity theft, where someone uses your information to apply for credit, or it might be a mistake by a creditor. If an inquiry appears on your report that you do not recognize or did not authorize, it can be disputed and potentially removed.

Preparing to Dispute a Credit Inquiry

Before initiating a dispute, gather all necessary information and documentation. Obtain copies of your credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. By law, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each bureau once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. It is important to check reports from all three bureaus, as information may vary between them.

Once you have your credit reports, carefully review each one to identify the specific inquiry you believe is unauthorized or inaccurate. Note the date of the inquiry, the name of the creditor, and any associated account numbers.

Collecting supporting documentation is important for preparing your dispute. This evidence helps substantiate your claim. Examples of useful documents include a police report if identity theft is suspected, an official Identity Theft Report from IdentityTheft.gov, or correspondence with the creditor showing proof of non-application. Other relevant documents might include bank statements, utility bills for address verification, or official letters from creditors confirming corrections. Always provide copies of documents and retain your originals for your records.

Steps for Disputing a Credit Inquiry

Initiating a dispute for an unauthorized or inaccurate credit inquiry involves contacting the credit bureaus where the inquiry appears. You can submit disputes online, by mail, or over the phone with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. When disputing, you will need to provide your personal information, such as your name, address, and date of birth, along with the specific details of the inquiry you are disputing, including the creditor’s name, the date of the inquiry, and a clear explanation of why you believe it is inaccurate or unauthorized.

If you choose to dispute by mail, it is recommended to send your dispute letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested. This provides proof that the credit bureau received your correspondence. Your letter should clearly identify the item, state the facts, explain the reason for the dispute, and request its removal or correction. Include copies of any supporting documentation with your mailed dispute, never sending original documents. Online dispute portals also allow for the upload of supporting documents.

After you submit your dispute, the credit bureau is required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to investigate the claim within 30 to 45 days. During this period, the credit bureau will contact the entity that furnished the information to verify its accuracy. If the information is found to be inaccurate or cannot be verified, the credit bureau must remove or correct it. The credit bureau will notify you of the investigation’s outcome within five days of completing the investigation.

You also have the option to dispute directly with the creditor or data furnisher that made the inquiry. This can be done in conjunction with, or even before, disputing with the credit bureaus. When disputing with the furnisher, clearly explain the error and provide any supporting evidence. If the furnisher confirms the information is incorrect, they should then notify the credit bureaus to update their records. If you disagree with the outcome of an investigation by a credit bureau, you have the right to add a brief statement, up to 100 words, to your credit report explaining your position.