How do I Remove a Negative Inquiry on a Credit Report?

A good credit score is essential. Most likely, you already know the basics. Pay your bills on time, avoid having too many revolving accounts and keep your debt to income ratio low. Many people don't realize that every time they apply for a line of credit, they are potentially harming their credit score. Creditors are likely to frown on a report with too many inquiries. Luckily, there are steps you can take to remove negative inquiries and restore your credit score.

Instructions

1

Obtain a copy of your credit report. As stated in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can get this free copy by visiting annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228.

2

Determine the type of inquiries on your report. Inquiries are located toward the end of your report. If you apply for a new credit card or loan, the finance company must run a credit check to determine your eligibility. This type of inquiry is considered a "hard pull inquiry" and can affect your score. A "soft pull inquiry" is when an existing creditor checks your credit to see if your credit has changed. This type of inquiry does not affect your credit score.

3

Find the creditor's address. You must directly contact the creditor who placed the inquiry on your report. The addresses should be listed on the credit report. If not, you may need to do some research. Look for the name of the creditor and search the web for a mailing address.

4

Prepare a letter requesting the creditor remove the inquiry. If you do not recognize an inquiry, you are entitled to dispute the inquiry. According to the FCRA, if you did not authorize the business to pull your credit report, the inquiries are not authorized to appear on the report. Notify the creditor that you wish to challenge the inquiry. Request proof of your authorization to run a credit check. If they are unable to provide documentation of your approval to obtain a copy of your credit report, request they remove the inquiry from your report. Keep copies of all letters you send. If you do not receive a response, contact the credit bureaus and file a dispute through them. Notify the bureaus that you contacted the creditor and received no response. Inform them of the fraudulent activity appearing on your credit report.

5

Wait for a response from the credit bureaus. The credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate from the date they receive your complaint.