How To Get Inquiries Removed From Your Credit Report?
This article focuses on the steps that consumers can learn on how to get the inquiries removed from their credit report.
Alongside the credit file, you will find a list of people who have accessed it. Sometimes these are referred to as credit inquiries or credit checks. Credit inquiries are of two types: soft and hard inquiries Credit inquiries can be of two general kinds – soft inquiries and hard inquiries. Soft inquiries are generally for credit checks carried out by potential credit grantors or employers. None of these inquiries is going to do anything to your credit score. This is also known as a ‘hard pull’ and includes any time an application for new credit is made, such as for a credit card or loan. These can slightly affect the credit rating negatively. Several hard inquiries within a short timespan are looked at by lenders as signs of a high-risk borrower and will harm your credit score more than soft ones.
For hard inquiries, they have a duration of two years in the credit report of an individual. However, you may want to attempt to have inquiries that should not be brought in removed. There are some steps you must follow when it comes to dealing with a challenge of inquiry on your credit reports.
A word of caution before we proceed further: always check your credit reports at all three credit bureaus. First, obtain credit reports from three credit referencing agencies namely Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. You’re entitled to one free copy from each of the three major credit bureaus once a year through annualcreditreport.com. Look for a message that might be unfamiliar to you or regarding a diagnosis that you think was a mistake. Make note of these. Some investigations could be reported just on a single report and may not appear on the other two reports. So, always read your reports thoroughly and record any potential scams or frauds that you have encountered.
Detect or Recognise False or Invalid Entries In the next step, attempt to find out the reasons why the inquiry does not fall into your report. There could be a few reasons an inquiry is incorrect:
- Identity theft – Credit information was fraudulently obtained in your stead.
- It may be executed also without your consent and your knowledge, or even against your will, inquiring.
- The same inquiry is replicated here with the following format:
- The inquiry is more than two years old, and therefore, it should have been deleted long ago.
Gather Supporting Documents For one to effectively defend himself or herself against an inquiry in their credit report, they will need to present a credit bureau. Helpful documents may include:
- You should also ensure that you have a copy of your credit report in which you are pointing out the given inquiry.
- An official document from the financial institution, proving that they did not inquire. This may be necessary for you to demand it.
- An identification number from a police report if the inquiry was due to identity theft. You may have to file a report of identity theft to attach this document.
- If the inquiry is a repeat, include the key details of the original inquiry such as the date and the business.
- If the inquiry is beyond the two years allowable for a search, make a note of this in your dispute letter and request that it be taken down.
Draft Dispute Letters The process of disputing information at each credit bureau can also be very formal, often involving sending a letter to the credit bureau. It becomes necessary to write one dispute letter for each credit bureau that indicates that the inquiry made was either inaccurate or fraudulent.
The letter should include:
- Your full name, your permanent residential address, and your date of birth.
- Your credit report number We hope that this article has helped you understand what your credit report number is and why you need it.
- The date you requested your credit report from that bureau.
- The specific inquiry you are disputing is whether it is true that there is a general trend of declining honeybee populations throughout the summer season.
- The base why you think this item should be omitted.
- Demand that it be removed from your record and that it be obliterated from your file.
- Xerox of your supporting documents.
You must ensure that the letter is posted to him/her through the postal services and that proof that the letter has reached him/her is attached to it. This serves to ensure you have a record of your request and can help as proof if there is any misunderstanding in the future. Make photocopies of all documents including letters that you have written in the entire dispute package.
Submit Your Dispute Letters The addresses for submitting your dispute letters are:
Equifax Information Services LLC Atlanta, Georgia 30374 P O BOX 740256 Experian, PO Box 4500, Allen, Texas-75013 Transunion LLC P. O. Box 2000 Chester, Pa 19016
Once the complaint has been made, the credit bureau usually has the time within 30 to 45 days to look into the matter. Typically one of three responses will occur:
- The company that inquired corroborates and states that it was genuine. If this happens, the inquiry will remain on your report and this is the last thing that you desire when looking for a job.
- Nevertheless, the credit bureau discontinued its investigation on the matter but the inquiry should remain. Here, you can provide a request for the second investigation or include a statement about why you are against the item.
- According to the provisions of the FCRA, the credit bureau has to delete the item from your credit report as you requested. The inquiry deletion can boost your credit score in a way because there will be fewer credit checks to lower it.
Follow Up if Needed Remember to get copies of your credit reports with the updated information after approximately 45 days since you made your complaint. It will help to check whether the inquiries have been deleted or whether you still need to do something on your end. This might take some time, and you may be forced to repeat the dispute process or involve regulatory agencies.
If an error remains or reoccurs on your credit file, you should contact the credit reporting agency, as well as financial watchdog groups such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It’s therefore important to maintain a keen eye on your credit report since an error can cause long-term ramifications.
Erasing Fraudulent Entry on Your Credit Profile Credit files may be equally dented by having unwarranted inquiries can unfairly decrease your credit rating. However, the ability to dispute them properly can lead to an increase in your scores, and shield your pocket from Identity theft. Be keen on what goes into your credit history and do not hesitate to resist any unauthorized access of your credit information.
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