Is It Possible to Remove Hard Inquiries From Credit Report?

Hard inquiries appear on your credit report whenever you apply for new credit. While most hard inquiries are legitimate and remain on the report, some can be removed under specific, limited circumstances.

Defining Hard Inquiries

A hard inquiry, sometimes called a “hard pull” or “hard credit check,” occurs when a lender or company formally requests to review your credit report as part of a credit application. This action signals you are seeking new credit and helps lenders assess your creditworthiness to determine if they will extend credit and on what terms.

These inquiries happen when you apply for credit products like credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, personal loans, or a credit limit increase. A single hard inquiry usually has a minimal and temporary impact, often reducing a FICO score by fewer than five points. Multiple inquiries in a short period can have a more significant effect, signaling increased risk to lenders. However, credit scoring models group multiple inquiries for the same loan type (e.g., mortgage or auto loan) within 14 to 45 days as a single inquiry, allowing for rate shopping.

Hard inquiries remain on your credit report for up to two years. Their impact on your credit score typically diminishes after 12 months.

Identifying Removable Hard Inquiries

Legitimate hard inquiries, those you authorized, will naturally fall off your credit report after about two years. However, you can dispute and potentially remove inquiries if they are unauthorized or inaccurate. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) protects this process, ensuring accuracy and privacy of credit file information.

An unauthorized inquiry occurs when a credit check is performed without your explicit permission, which can indicate identity theft or fraud. For example, if an inquiry appears for a loan or credit card you never applied for, it may suggest fraudulent use of your personal information. In such cases, gather evidence like a police report for identity theft. Inaccuracies or errors also qualify an inquiry for removal, including incorrect personal details or links to unrecognized accounts.

Before disputing, review your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to identify unrecognized inquiries. You can get free annual copies from annualcreditreport.com. If you find an unrecognized inquiry, first contact the company that made it, as some lenders use partner firms. If the inquiry remains unauthorized or erroneous after this initial contact, you will have the necessary information to proceed with a formal dispute.

Initiating a Dispute

Once you identify a hard inquiry that qualifies for removal, initiate a formal dispute with each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each bureau offers multiple submission methods, including online portals, mail, and sometimes phone. Online submission is often fastest, but complex disputes may require mail.

When submitting by mail, send a dispute letter with copies of supporting documentation. The letter should clearly identify the disputed inquiry, state the facts, and explain why it is inaccurate or unauthorized. Include copies of your government-issued identification, a recent utility bill, and evidence like an Identity Theft Report or proof of non-application. Send copies of documents and retain all originals. Sending your dispute letter via certified mail with a return receipt provides proof of receipt.

For online disputes, each bureau has a dedicated portal to submit information and upload documents. These systems guide you through the process, allowing for efficient submission and tracking. Provide all relevant contact information and clear details of the disputed item to facilitate the investigation.

Following Up on Your Dispute

After initiating a dispute, credit bureaus must investigate the claim under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This investigation typically takes around 30 days, extending up to 45 days if additional information is submitted. During this period, the credit bureau contacts the data furnisher to verify the information’s accuracy.

You can monitor your dispute status through the credit bureau’s online portal or by mail. The bureaus will communicate their findings in writing. Outcomes include the inquiry being removed if unauthorized or inaccurate, verified as legitimate and remaining on your report, or a request for further information. If the data furnisher cannot verify the information within the timeframe, the disputed item should be removed.

If your dispute is denied but you believe the inquiry is erroneous, you have further options. You can re-file the dispute with additional evidence. You also have the right to add a brief statement of dispute, up to 100 words, to your credit file, which will be included with future credit reports. For persistent issues or if you believe your FCRA rights have been violated, consider escalating the matter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or seeking legal advice.