How to Remove Hard Inquiries from Your Credit Report

Credit inquiries show up on your credit report whenever someone checks your credit. Some are harmless, but others can knock points off your credit score and raise red flags with lenders.

If a hard inquiry dropped your score or you found one you didn’t authorize, here’s how to take action.

This article focuses on hard inquiries—the ones that can affect your credit score—not soft inquiries, which are only visible to you and have no impact.

What Is a Credit Inquiry?

Any time your credit report is pulled, a credit inquiry is added. But not all inquiries are the same.

Hard vs. Soft Inquiries – What’s the Difference?

Soft inquiries happen when a lender checks your credit for a pre-approval offer, or when you check your own credit report. These are harmless and don’t affect your credit score.

Hard inquiries are different. They happen when you apply for credit—like a loan, credit card, or mortgage. Hard inquiries can lower your credit score and stay on your credit report for up to two years.

How Inquiries Impact Your Credit Score

A single hard inquiry can lower your credit score by about 3 to 10 points. The exact impact depends on your credit history.

If you have a short credit history or few accounts, a hard inquiry can have a bigger effect. Too many inquiries in a short period can make you look risky to lenders.

When Can You Remove a Credit Inquiry?

Not all inquiries can be removed. It depends on why the inquiry is there.

Legitimate Inquiries Can’t Usually Be Removed

If you applied for a loan or credit card and the lender pulled your credit, that’s a valid hard inquiry. You agreed to it as part of your application, and it will stay on your credit report.

You Can Remove Inaccurate or Unauthorized Inquiries

If an inquiry was made without your permission, you have the right to dispute it. This includes:

• Identity theft
• Lender errors
• Inquiries you never authorized

In these cases, the credit bureau may remove the inquiry after a formal dispute.

How to Dispute an Unauthorized Hard Inquiry

If you see an inquiry you didn’t approve, here’s what to do.

Step 1 – Get Your Credit Reports

Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to download your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This is the official site to get your reports without paying.

Step 2 – Identify the Inquiry in Question

Look through each credit report and find the inquiry you want to dispute. Make note of:

• The name of the company that pulled your credit
• The date of the inquiry
• Which credit bureau is reporting it

Step 3 – Send a Written Dispute Letter

Written disputes tend to be more effective than online forms. Include the following in your letter:

• Your full name, address, and date of birth
• A copy of your ID and a utility bill or bank statement to verify your identity
• A clear explanation of why the inquiry is unauthorized
• The name of the company that made the inquiry and the date it appeared

Step 4 – Send Your Dispute to Each Credit Bureau

Mail your dispute letter to each credit bureau that lists the inquiry. Here are the addresses:

• Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
• Equifax: P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
• TransUnion: P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000

Use certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

Step 5 – Follow Up and Track Results

The credit bureaus must respond within 30 days. They’ll investigate your claim and let you know whether the inquiry was removed or remains.

Keep copies of everything you send, and check your updated credit reports after the investigation is complete.

Sample Credit Inquiry Removal Letter (Free Template)

If you found a hard inquiry on your credit report that you didn’t authorize, sending a written dispute is the best way to request its removal. Here's a sample letter you can copy and modify.

Make sure to include key information like your identifying details, a clear statement that you didn’t authorize the inquiry, and a request for the credit bureau to remove it.

Send a version of this letter to each credit bureau reporting the unauthorized inquiry. Always use certified mail and keep a copy for your records.

What If the Inquiry Is From Identity Theft?

If the hard inquiry is tied to identity theft, take extra steps to protect yourself and document the issue thoroughly.

File an FTC Identity Theft Report

Go to IdentityTheft.gov and fill out the identity theft report. This gives you a formal record of the incident and can be used in your disputes.

Consider a Police Report and Fraud Alert

You can also file a police report with your local department. While not always required, some credit bureaus or creditors may ask for it as part of the dispute process.

Placing a fraud alert on your credit report warns lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing credit. It’s free and lasts one year (or longer if you submit an extended alert).

Freeze Your Credit if Necessary

If you're worried about ongoing fraud, consider freezing your credit. A freeze blocks new creditors from accessing your credit report until you lift it. You’ll need to contact each credit bureau separately to place the freeze.

Can Credit Repair Companies Help Remove Credit Inquiries?

Yes—if you’re dealing with inaccurate or unauthorized credit inquiries, a credit repair company can absolutely help. In fact, for people who feel overwhelmed or just don’t have the time to manage disputes on their own, working with a credit repair service can make the process easier and more effective.

Reputable credit repair companies know how to dispute inquiries and other inaccurate negative items on your credit reports, follow up with the credit bureaus, and ensure that your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are protected. Some even offer attorney-supported services for more complex cases involving identity theft or repeated reporting errors.

What they can’t do is remove legitimate inquiries that were authorized—such as those from credit card or loan applications you actually submitted. No one can legally remove accurate items from your credit report.

Here’s what a good credit repair company can do:

• Review your credit reports line by line to find inquiries that don’t belong
• Prepare dispute letters on your behalf to challenge unauthorized inquiries
• Provide guidance and support throughout the dispute process
• Help identify patterns of fraud if multiple questionable inquiries show up

If you’re not sure where to start or you’ve already tried disputing on your own without success, hiring a professional might be worth it.

Just avoid companies that promise guaranteed results or fast credit score boosts—they’re not being honest. The best credit repair companies are transparent, compliant with the law, and genuinely focused on helping you clean up your credit report.

How Long Do Inquiries Stay on Your Report if You Don’t Remove Them?

Even if you don’t dispute a hard inquiry, it won’t stay on your credit report forever.

Hard inquiries fall off automatically after two years. However, they only impact your credit score for the first 12 months. After that, they become neutral for scoring purposes and are just part of your credit file history.

If you're not applying for new credit anytime soon, and the inquiry is legitimate, it may be better to just let it age off.

Tips to Avoid Unnecessary Hard Inquiries in the Future

Hard inquiries are sometimes unavoidable, but you can cut down on the ones that aren’t helping you. A few smart habits can protect your credit score and keep your report clean.

• Don’t apply for credit unless it’s necessary: Every application can trigger a hard inquiry, so be selective about when and why you apply.
• Ask lenders if it’s a soft or hard pull before giving consent: Not all credit checks lead to hard inquiries. For example, pre-approvals and some insurance quotes are soft pulls—always ask before agreeing.
• Rate shop within a short window: If you’re applying for a mortgage, auto loan, or student loan, multiple inquiries in a short period (usually 15 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model) will count as just one. This lets you compare offers without getting penalized.

Staying informed and asking questions upfront can go a long way in avoiding unnecessary hits to your credit score.

Final Thoughts

You can remove hard inquiries from your credit report—but only if they’re inaccurate or unauthorized. Legitimate inquiries from credit applications you approved will stay on your report for two years, though they only affect your credit score for the first 12 months.

The best way to protect your credit is by staying on top of your reports. Check them often, dispute anything that looks suspicious, and don’t be afraid to get help from a credit repair company if you need it.

Taking small steps now can save you from bigger credit headaches down the road.