How to Quickly Remove Hard Inquiries From Your Credit Report
- The Credit Course
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 18
Rapid Inquiry Removal Guide & Phone Script
Hard inquiries may seem like a minor detail on your credit report, but they can have a real impact on your credit score, especially if you’re trying to repair your history or apply for new lines of credit. While they only make up about 10% of your FICO score, too many hard inquiries in a short period can signal financial distress to lenders. Let’s break down exactly how to quickly remove unauthorized hard inquiries from your credit report using proven, legal methods.
Table of Contents:
To Learn More About Removing Inquiries see The DIY Credit Kit Module
What Is a Hard Inquiry?
A hard inquiry (also known as a "hard pull") happens when a creditor checks your credit report as part of their decision-making process. This commonly occurs when you apply for credit cards, loans, or financing. Hard inquiries stay on your report for up to two years, but their impact on your score usually lessens after 12 months.
See DIY Credit Kit Modules 1 and 12 to learn more.
💡Tip: You should only attempt to remove hard inquiries that you did not authorize. Trying to remove too many legitimate inquiries could be considered fraud.
How Do Inquiries Affect Credit?
There are two types of inquiries: soft inquiries and hard inquiries. Soft inquiries happen when you check your own credit, when a lender pre-approves you for an offer, or during things like employment background checks. These have no effect on your credit score at all. On the other hand, hard inquiries occur when you actively apply for new credit, such as a credit card, auto loan, mortgage, or personal loan, and these can slightly lower your score.
💡Tip: Multiple inquiries for the same type of loan within 14–45 days typically only count once toward your credit score.
If you have unauthorized inquiries, it may also indicate potential identity theft. If you believe the inquiries are related to identity theft, you should first consider placing a credit freeze and ordering a fraud alert. You can also file an Identity Theft Report for free at identitytheft.gov. This official FTC report can strengthen your case when disputing unauthorized inquiries.
One or two hard inquiries are normal and usually have a minimal impact on your credit score. Problems arise when there are multiple hard inquiries within a short timeframe, making you appear financially unstable to lenders. If you have suspicious or unauthorized inquiries on your credit, it's important to your financial health to have them investigated and removed as soon as possible.
Removing Hard Inquiries by Phone
While virtually every credit dispute or interaction should be handled by mail, removing unauthorized hard inquiries is typically more effective over the phone, especially when you speak directly to the fraud department. If you choose, you can bypass the credit repair process and remove inquiries quickly over the phone.
Inquiry Removal Steps Overview:
Take note of any inaccurate hard inquiries on your credit report.
Call the bureau reporting the inquiry and speak to the fraud department.
Follow the phone script below to exercise your legal right to reinvestigation. If the inquiry cannot be verified, it must be deleted. (FCRA, 15 U.S.C. § 1681i(a)(5)(A)).
Start by reviewing your credit report from all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Use your credit error checklist or simply highlight the inquiries you don’t recognize or didn’t authorize.
Here’s how to contact each bureau to dispute inquiries:
Experian: 1-855-414-6048 → Ask for the fraud department
Equifax: 1-888-548-7878 → Ask for the fraud department
TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800 → Press 0, then ask for the fraud department
💡Tip: Remember to remain polite but firm throughout the conversation, and do not hesitate to escalate the call if necessary.
When you call the credit bureau, expect to answer identity verification questions. They may ask for your Social Security Number, date of birth, current and previous addresses, and details from your credit file. Have your information ready to make the process smoother. Once you’re connected to a fraud representative and have verified your identity, explain the situation clearly and request that the inquiries be removed. If asked, say you've already filed with the FTC or your state’s consumer protection agency (optional, but helpful).
If the representative continues to question you, simply explain that under section 611 (15 U.S.C. § 1681i) of the FCRA, you have the legal right to dispute items on your credit report and that unverified items must be removed. If you do not feel you are being fairly assisted, do not be afraid to hang up and call for a different representative. This may be time-consuming, but it is important to be persistent.
💡 Tip: If the representative is unhelpful, don’t be afraid to hang up and call again. Sometimes, a different rep will handle things more professionally.
Dispute Inquiries by Mail
If you prefer to have a paper trail, you can also remove hard inquiries by sending certified mail to both the credit bureau and the lender who made the inquiry. Certified mail provides proof that the credit bureau received your letter. This is especially useful if you're planning to escalate your dispute.
Follow the steps outlined in Module 7 of the DIY Repair Kit, or start by selecting the appropriate dispute letter from your Document Center.
Send your original letter to each bureau that is incorrectly reporting the inquiries. It is best to send all correspondence of this nature as a certified letter with return receipt requested. Learn more about dispute letters and how to send certified mail here.
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
Be sure to keep track of your disputes, responses, and follow-ups in case you need to escalate your dispute. See the follow-up process in Module 8 of the DIY Credit Kit.
Removing unauthorized hard inquiries from your credit report isn’t just possible—it’s your legal right. While it may require a few calls and a bit of persistence, you don’t have to let these small negative marks drag down your score.
Need Help Fixing Your Credit?
At The Credit Course, we believe in empowering people with the tools they need to fix their credit themselves, without spending thousands on unreliable credit repair services. Check out our Credit Repair Course for step-by-step guidance, templates, dispute letters, and expert strategies.
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