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Inquiry Removal
Inquiry removal is NOT as easy as it was in the past. Most of the time, the credit bureaus are requiring a police report to prove identity theft. I have attached a letter below that sometimes works to remove some inquries. Remember, inquiries stay on the credit report for 24 months, but only lower the score for 12 months. Also, there is no score impact when the number of inquiries is under 5 for a particular bureau.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Credit Bureau Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
Re: Round 1 Inquiry Removal
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to request the removal of a recent inquiry from my credit report. The inquiry was made by [Name of the company] on [Date of inquiry] and it was for [Purpose of inquiry].
I would like to clarify that I did not authorize this inquiry, nor did I have any knowledge of it prior to reviewing my credit report. As such, I request that this inquiry be removed from my credit report as soon as possible.
I have enclosed a copy of my credit report with the inquiry highlighted for your reference. I kindly request that you investigate this matter and take the necessary steps to ensure that the inquiry is removed from my credit report.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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2 Replies
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Removing a credit inquiry from your credit report can be a nuanced process, depending on whether the inquiry was authorized or not. Here are the general steps and considerations:
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Identify if the Inquiry is Hard or Soft:
- Soft inquiries are not visible to creditors and do not affect your credit score (e.g., checking your own credit).
- Hard inquiries occur when a lender checks your credit for a lending decision, and these can affect your score if there are too many at once.
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Dispute Unauthorized Inquiries:
- If you did not authorize an inquiry, you can dispute it with the credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). You will need to provide documentation that you did not authorize the credit check.
- You can file a dispute online, via mail, or over the phone. The bureau typically has 30 days to investigate the dispute.
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Wait for Inquiries to Fall Off:
- Hard inquiries will naturally fall off your credit report after two years, which is the simplest way to remove them if they were authorized.
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Good Practices Moving Forward:
- Limit the number of credit applications you submit.
- Regularly monitor your credit report to catch and address issues early.
It’s important to note that successfully removing a hard inquiry usually involves proving it was unauthorized. If the inquiry was legitimate, it cannot be removed and will remain on your report for up to two years. Regular review of your credit report can help you identify any discrepancies or unauthorized activities early on.
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A credit inquiry, also known as a credit check, occurs when a lender, credit card issuer, or another financial institution checks your credit report as part of a decision-making process. These inquiries are recorded on your credit report and can be categorized into two types:
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Hard Inquiries: These occur when you apply for a loan, credit card, or mortgage, and you have authorized the lender to check your credit report. Hard inquiries can slightly lower your credit score for a short period and can stay on your credit report for up to two years. They are visible to anyone who views your credit report.
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Soft Inquiries: These occur when you check your own credit score or when a lender checks your credit for pre-approval offers, without you initiating an application. Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score and are not visible to lenders, only to you.
Understanding the impact of these inquiries can help you manage your credit more effectively, especially if you are considering applying for new credit.
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