What are hard inquiries in US credit history?

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Boiko Kateryna Олександрівна

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USA / Delaware

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Publication date: 24.07.2025

What Are Hard Inquiries in a Credit Report?

In the U.S., an individual's credit history serves as the foundation for assessing creditworthiness. One important element is the so-called "hard inquiries" (also known as hard pulls). 

A hard inquiry is a request to access your credit report made by a financial institution or lender when you apply for a loan, mortgage, auto loan, or credit card. These inquiries are recorded on your credit report and may affect your credit score.

Unlike "soft inquiries," which do not impact your credit score and occur, for example, when you check your own credit or receive pre-approval offers, hard inquiries signal that you are seriously seeking new credit. A high number of such inquiries in a short period can raise red flags for potential lenders, suggesting financial distress.

How Do Hard Inquiries Affect Your Credit Score?

Typically, one hard inquiry may lower your score by a few points — on average 3 to 5. However, multiple inquiries in a short time frame may have a more noticeable effect. This is especially important if your score is near the threshold between categories (e.g., "good" vs. "very good").

It's important to note that FICO and VantageScore algorithms, used by major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), are designed to group similar inquiries — for instance, when comparing mortgage or auto loan rates. Thus, multiple inquiries within a 14–45 day window may be treated as a single inquiry.

How Long Do Hard Inquiries Stay on a Credit Report?

Hard inquiries remain on your credit report for up to two years. However, their impact on your score typically lasts less than that — usually no more than 12 months. After that, they no longer influence your credit score, although they may still appear in your report.

This means that even if an inquiry cannot be removed, its negative impact diminishes over time and eventually stops affecting your score.

Can a Hard Inquiry Be Removed from a Credit Report?

In most cases, hard inquiries can only be legally removed if:

• The inquiry was made without your authorization;
• It resulted from fraud or identity theft;
• It contains errors (e.g., incorrect name or Social Security number);

All other cases — including those where you applied for credit but later changed your mind or were denied — are considered valid and cannot be removed.

How to Request Removal of a Hard Inquiry?

If you find a suspicious or incorrect hard inquiry on your credit report, follow these steps:

1. Obtain a full credit report from one or all three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion.
2. Locate the questionable inquiry.
3. Prepare a formal dispute letter to the relevant bureau explaining your reasoning.
4. Include supporting documents (e.g., ID copy, fraud evidence).
5. Await a response — the bureau must investigate within 30 days.

The Role of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

The U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants consumers the right to know what information is in their credit reports and to dispute any inaccurate or false data. Under the FCRA, credit bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days and delete or correct false information.

In cases of unauthorized hard inquiries, they must also be removed after verification.

Protecting Personal Data to Prevent Unwanted Inquiries

One way to prevent unauthorized access to your credit report is to implement a credit freeze or fraud alert. This is especially important if your data has been stolen or compromised.

• A credit freeze completely restricts access to your credit report without your consent.
• A fraud alert notifies lenders to take additional steps to verify your identity.

These tools help reduce fraud risk and prevent unauthorized hard inquiries.

Beware of Companies That Promise to "Remove All Inquiries"

Many companies offer "credit cleaning" services, promising to remove all hard inquiries or negative items. Be extremely cautious with such offers. By law, only inaccurate or false information may be removed. If a company claims it can legally remove valid inquiries — it is likely a scam.

To stay safe:

1. Verify the company’s license.
2. Be wary of guaranteed results.
3. Never pay upfront.
4. Read reviews and check the company’s reputation.

Common Examples of Unlawful Hard Inquiries

To better understand when hard inquiries may be removed, consider these real-world examples:

1. Identity theft. A person noticed an auto loan inquiry they didn’t request. Later, it was confirmed that someone had stolen their information. After filing a report via IdentityTheft.gov, the inquiry was removed through Equifax.
2. Name confusion. A report listed an inquiry under a similar name — but it was a different person. Once proof was submitted, the bureau removed the entry.
3. Without proper authorization. A bank conducted a credit check even though the customer had only asked for terms, not submitted an application. After contacting the bank and bureau, the inquiry was deleted.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Dispute an Inquiry

If you find a hard inquiry you believe is inaccurate or illegal, follow this process:

1. Check all three major credit reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
2. Gather details about the inquiry: date, company name, type of credit.
3. Contact the company that submitted the inquiry — the issue may be resolved directly.
4. Prepare a formal dispute to the credit bureau with supporting documents (ID, statements, emails).
5. Keep copies of all documents and responses.
6. If rejected, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Common Mistakes When Attempting to Remove Inquiries

Even valid disputes may be denied due to common errors, such as:

• Providing incomplete information or missing evidence;
• Sending the dispute to the wrong bureau;
• Using vague or unsupported arguments;
• Using unofficial or fraudulent dispute services;
• Ignoring the 30-day response deadline.

Sample Dispute Letter Wording

Here’s a short but effective example of a letter to a credit bureau:

“Dear [Bureau Name],
I noticed a hard inquiry from [Company Name] dated [Date] in my credit report. I did not authorize this inquiry. Please investigate and remove the entry in accordance with the FCRA. I am attaching ID documents for verification. Thank you.”

What If the Inquiry Is Not Removed?

If the credit bureau refuses to delete the inquiry, you have the right to:

• File a complaint with the CFPB or Federal Trade Commission (FTC);
• Contact the company that made the inquiry and request its withdrawal (if incorrect);
• Add a written explanation (statement of explanation) to your credit report;
• Consult a lawyer about filing a lawsuit (in some cases).

How to Avoid Accumulating Hard Inquiries in the Future

To reduce the number of hard inquiries going forward, follow these tips:

1. Ask whether a hard inquiry will be made before applying for credit.
2. Use prequalification tools that rely on soft inquiries.
3. Group your inquiries within a 14–30 day period when rate shopping for a loan.
4. Use credit monitoring services to catch unexpected activity early.

Using Credit Monitoring and Freezes

Freezing your credit file is one of the most effective ways to block unauthorized access. You can activate a credit freeze for free at all three major bureaus, after which no company can access your report without your express consent.

Popular monitoring tools such as Credit Karma, Experian ID Notify, or LifeLock offer real-time alerts about new hard inquiries and assistance with suspicious activity.

The Role of Credit Counseling Agencies

If you're unsure how to file a dispute or are facing complex issues, consider seeking help from an independent credit counselor. Agencies certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offer:

• Credit report reviews;
• Assistance preparing dispute documentation;
• Advice on building a strong credit history.

Helpful Resources for Self-Help

Several official and nonprofit resources can help you check your credit and file disputes:

• AnnualCreditReport.com — official source for free credit reports (weekly access through 2026).
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (cfpb.gov) — accepts complaints about credit bureaus.
• IdentityTheft.gov — platform for reporting identity theft.